General

December 15, 2025 — Meet the Cumberland County High School Active Minds Chapter, a group in Crossville, TN, committed to showing their peers that "it’s okay not to be okay." With a goal to provide a safety net for their 1,000 students, they recently launched the "You’ve Been Bloomed" initiative, using carnations to visualize support and spark connection across campus. From their first meeting with over 100 attendees to their monthly movie nights, check out how this chapter is ensuring no one has to face their battles alone. Tell us about your school & chapter Our school is Cumberland County High School and we are located in Crossville, TN. We have roughly 1,000 students on campus and our school is big on traditions and community, but at the same time deals with a lot of mental health needs. We have 2 main goals: 1. To provide a safety net for our peers so that no matter what they are facing, they know that we will be here to help them. 2. Show everyone that it's ok to not be ok and break the shame that clouds over mental health needs. Share something your chapter has done recently that you're proud of! A few weeks back, we purchased over 100 carnations as a club and attached a note to them that said, "You've Been Bloomed! - The CCHS Active Minds Chapter wanted to let you know that you are loved!" At our morning meeting, we discussed how much weight people carry and hide behind a smile every day. We talked about the youth depression and suicide rates and how 1 in 10 teens have seriously thought about or attempted to end their lives and then we counted out groups of 10 so they could put a visual representation to that statistic. They were all tasked to take a carnation and hand it to a stranger, a friend, an adult, or anyone that crossed their path that day who looked like they could use a smile. It was absolutely amazing to see the flowers pass from person to person as the school day played out. Some kept their flower because they were the person who needed it, and they took a 2nd one to hand out. Some took several because they had friends who were battling things at home, some still walk around with the note attached to their backpacks or taped to their Chromebooks, and all of them were excited to go and share some kindness. 'Aaron Daenell — Active Minds & FBLA Advisor' Do you have a favorite chapter memory? "I loved giving flowers to help people not feel alone." Anthony — Member' "My favorites are the movie nights we have together every month!" 'Othniel — Member' "My favorite so far was our 1st meeting of the year when over 100 kids showed up and wanted help others." 'Aaron Daenell — Active Minds & FBLA Advisor' What’s a mental health mantra or a short piece of advice your chapter lives by? Behind every strong person is a story that gave them no choice, and one day that story will be a survival guide for someone else. 'Aaron Daenell — Active Minds & FBLA Advisor'

December 10, 2025 — As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, many of us may begin to experience low energy, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal from hobbies or social activities, excessive sleeping, feelings of isolation, and depression. This time of year can be challenging, so let’s make sure we’re taking gentle care of ourselves and of one another. We’re providing some tips to support your own well-being and foster connection within your chapter this winter.  The experiences described above could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you think you might have SAD, please reach out to your local or school mental health resources for support. A Few Simple Ways To Support Your Well-Being Step outside: Soak in natural daylight whenever possible. Keep a cozy routine: Consistent sleep and small comforts go a long way. Stay connected: Reach out to friends, family, or your Active Minds chapter.  Stay physically active: Even a few stretches or a short walk can lift your spirits. Ask for support: If things start to feel overwhelming, reach out to others for support.  Chapter Gathering Ideas To Boost Your Chapter's Mood DIY Hot Cocoa Party: Make your own cocoa with fun toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon, or chocolate chips while fostering connection. Movie Time: Cozy up and watch a feel-good movie that can bring laughter and joy. Games & Puzzles Together: Enjoy card games, board games, or puzzles in a relaxed, friendly space. Crafting Hour: Spend time coloring, collaging, knitting, etc, during a free period or after school in a calm, welcoming space Fresh Air Walks: Enjoy daylight and stretch your legs with friends on a short group walk If you or someone you know needs extra support, explore links to crisis support and national resources on our website. Thank you for bringing connection and care to your campus communities. Your efforts make a difference, especially during times when so many of us need warmth and support.

December 8, 2025 — When Alison Malmon founded Active Minds in 2003, she initiated a ripple effect of change that continues to expand over two decades later. By using her voice to break the silence surrounding mental health, she created a space where thousands of students could eventually find their own footing, find their community, and find their power to mobilize around mental health. My story is just one example of that ripple effect in action, turning a moment of personal need into a lifelong purpose of leading the mental health movement. My Journey From Mental Health Advocate to Mental Health Professional My advocacy journey truly began in my freshman year of college. I come from a background where mental health was stigmatized and rarely discussed. But the independence of college offered me the autonomy to explore what I was feeling and address my mental health. As I navigated my own struggles, I realized two things: culturally competent care was hard to find, and there were absolutely no student organizations dedicated to mental health on my campus. Rather than discouraging me, these gaps fueled a desire not only to understand my own needs but also to create that space for others. This was the start of my transition to becoming informed — realizing I had the control to educate myself and the passion to ensure no one else had to face those barriers alone. That awareness transformed into action during my sophomore year when I discovered an emerging Active Minds Chapter on my campus. I was scared, but I worked up the courage to speak with the organizers and get involved, and that choice launched me into mental health mobilization work that defined my college experience. Before I knew it, my engagement deepened as I became a member of my chapter’s executive team, later becoming President, where I realized the true impact of our work. We built such a strong reputation as a safe space that other student organizations, including Greek life, started coming to us to collaborate. That was the moment I realized I had become a mental health champion, and that our advocacy was reshaping the culture on my campus and in my community. Today, I have moved from a student leader to a mental health professional. In my full-time role at a mental health nonprofit, I now have the privilege of supporting young mental health advocates through programming that guides students through their own mobilization journeys. My work is no longer centered on my own advocacy, but on building the infrastructure for others to find theirs. Just as Active Minds created a space that allowed me to grow, I now work every day to create those same spaces for the next generation of mental health advocates. By giving the students we support today the resources and confidence to become the changemakers of tomorrow, we are sustaining a movement much bigger than any of our individual efforts.  Want To Take the Next Step on Your Mental Health Advocacy Journey? You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference — you just have to be brave enough to start. Check out three ways you can get involved with Active Minds: Create a safe space for your peers to discuss mental health by starting an Active Minds chapter at your school. Apply for programs like the Mental Health Advocacy Academy and the Active Minds Institute and implement a mental health project in your community. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest webinars, engagement opportunities, and mental health resources sent directly to your inbox.

December 6, 2025 — It’s 2 a.m., your eyes are burning from staring at your laptop, and you're running on your second energy drink. The project still isn't done, and it feels like your brain is barely hanging on. If you’ve ever had a night like that, you’re not alone. Burnout is something many students experience, and it's not just about being tired. It's the kind of exhaustion that creeps in slowly and makes everything feel harder to do than it should be. I’ve been there too, and I want to talk about what it is, how to spot it, and what you can actually do to feel better. What Burnout Really Feels Like Burnout goes way beyond just being sleepy after a late night. It’s physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, all mixed together. According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout can show up in different ways, such as: Feeling tired all the time, even after a full night of sleep Feeling stressed, stuck, or disconnected Struggling to stay motivated, even doing things you usually enjoy Not performing well in school, even when you try Being short with people or just wanting to be alone For many students, burnout can often come from trying to juggle too much. Between classes, extracurriculars, sports, jobs, and trying to have a social life, it can feel like there's never enough time or energy. My Burnout Story During my sophomore year, I said yes to everything. I was in clubs, competitions, honor societies, and constantly studying. I told myself that being busy was good, that I was being productive. But after a few months, I started waking up every day feeling completely drained. I wasn’t excited about the things I used to love. I kept pushing through, thinking it would pass. It didn’t. Eventually, I reached a point where even small things like answering emails or doing homework felt overwhelming. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just stress. It was burnout. What Helped Me Manage It Burnout doesn’t go away overnight, but there are things that can help you get back on track.  Here’s what worked for me: 1. I started saying no This was hard at first, but I had to remind myself that doing less doesn't mean I'm doing worse. I dropped one activity and didn’t feel guilty about it. 2. I set boundaries I stopped doing homework past a certain time and made sure to take short breaks while studying. It made my time more focused and gave myself space to relax. 3. I reached out Talking to someone made a huge difference. Whether it's a parent, friend, counselor, or teacher, just saying “I’m not okay” took some of the weight off. 4. I made time for things I enjoy I started going to the gym again, playing tennis, and watching shows without feeling guilty. These little things helped me feel recharged. 5. I learned more about what was going on Learning more about burnout helped me to overcome my own experiences with it. You can check out articles like this one from Oxford Learning for tips on preventing burnout in high school. It’s helpful for high school students — and even for parents — trying to understand what’s going on. How You Can Catch Burnout Early The best way to address burnout is to catch it before it gets harder to manage. Keep an eye out for signs like constant tiredness, low motivation, or just not feeling like yourself. The APA’s research shows that teens are feeling more stress than ever, and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Burnout doesn't mean you're lazy or failing. It means your body and mind are asking for a break. School should be a challenge, but it shouldn’t leave you feeling miserable every day. You don’t have to be in survival mode all the time. Take a deep breath. Step back when you need to. And remember that your mental health matters just as much as your grades.

December 2, 2025 — As the days shorten and the weather grows cooler, we're taking a moment to introduce our Fall 2025 interns! They've been hard at work, and to help us all combat the darker days, they shared their secrets for finding comfort and balance. Read our Fall 2025 interns Q&A to discover our interns’ favorite cozy rituals, the easiest things they do for self-care, and what they are most thankful for this year.

November 22, 2025 — There is a difference between a father and a dad. A father is your biological parent, whereas a dad is somebody who actually provides support and raises you.  I never really knew my father, and until I was 14 years old, I never had a dad, either. In 2018, my mother started dating somebody who would leave a lasting impact on my life. This was the first time that I remembered ever living with a man and having a father figure, even if he wasn’t my ‘real’ dad. Even though he and my mom never married, I still consider him my stepfather because he was the closest I have ever come to having a dad. He taught me that I wasn’t unlovable, and he stepped up to be somebody that I never knew how much I needed until I lost him. In 2019, my stepfather died by suicide. My support system and community are, undoubtedly, the only things that got me through my grief. I remember being at his funeral and getting that burning feeling in my throat from holding back my tears. I didn’t think I deserved to grieve him. He wasn’t my father, and I wasn’t his kid. There were other people closer to him who were grieving him, so it felt selfish to take that away from them. Grief is complicated.  It’s been six years since my stepfather passed, and this is my first time really talking about him with anyone who isn't in my family. Every day, I grieve him in my own ways. I show up for myself since he is no longer able to. Even though my community is small, it is strong. My whole family grieved my stepfather together, and there was never a moment when I didn’t have them standing by my side. My friends may not be able to understand my grief, but they still show up and support me unconditionally. While I am strong, I’m not sure how I would have been able to get through this period of my life without my community. They’ve helped me learn that it’s okay to grieve him. It’s okay to be sad or to be angry or to be confused. They helped me realize that blood isn’t the only type of family, and that although Joe wasn’t blood, he was family.  It’s Strong to Ask for Help No one deserves to feel alone in their grief. If you are reading this and struggling to carry the weight of your loss, please know that your courage lies in reaching out. This International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, let's honor our loved ones by creating a world where mental health struggles and grieving are met with open arms. You are a survivor. You are strong. You do not have to walk this path alone. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and lean on somebody. You can find support within your family, friends, community, teachers, and even strangers. There are resources like grief counseling, support groups, and crisis help lines available to support you. If you are in need of immediate crisis support, consider reaching out to the following dedicated organizations: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or Text BRAVE to 741-741 Trevor Project: Call 866-488-7386 or Text START to 678-678

November 20, 2025 — This year, 2025, has felt heavy. At times, the moments of resilience, hope, and community have been overshadowed by a campaign of anti-trans legislation and toxic rhetoric. It’s a pervasive storm of violence that has led to measurable loss — from the erosion of access to life-saving gender-affirming care, to the many lives taken too soon this year. Bearing witness to this trauma has intensified the mental health crisis within the trans community to a breaking point. Today, we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance, a time to mourn the lives lost to anti-trans violence. The truth of this year’s loss, captured in Advocates For Trans Equality’s 2025 Remembrance Report, is staggering. There have been 58 known trans people who have passed away since last November. Of that number, 27 were lost to acts of violence, and 21 were lost to suicide. These statistics represent a devastating toll that underscores the profound distress caused by systemic transphobia and isolation. We know that these numbers are tragically incomplete, as violence, especially against trans women of color, is vastly underreported. Yet, the data we do have is clear: 63% of the known violent deaths were Black trans women, a brutal reminder that race and gender identity intersect to create disproportionate risk. And 61% of all those lost to suicide were trans youth ages 15-24, a reminder of the essential need to support young people in their moments of vulnerability. Each person lost represents a future denied. This loss is not abstract; it is felt deeply and collectively throughout our community. To every transgender person carrying the weight of this loss, I want to acknowledge the monumental, revolutionary strength it takes to keep showing up. To stare down a world that demands your conformity and still make the bravest decision one could make — to choose yourself — is an act of profound courage. To our allies, thank you for showing up with us today. We are standing together in this moment, turning our grief into a powerful movement for change, dignity, and life. This crisis demands action beyond solidarity. Allies must recognize the urgency of this moment and step forward to actively protect the trans community. Thank you for supporting the trans people in your life and coming on this journey with us. Whatever feelings this day evokes, remember you do not have to carry them alone. Active Minds welcomes you to bring yourself and your grief to experience them in community. We are here for you. At Active Minds, you are more than just welcome. You are seen. You belong. You are supported. You are safe. Need Extra Support Today? On difficult days like today, resources are available from those who understand. If you are experiencing a moment of crisis, please reach out to these vital lines for peer and mental health support: Call Blackline at 1-800-604-5841 Call TransLifeline at (877) 565-8860 Call Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 or Text START to 678-678

November 10, 2025 — At Active Minds, we believe in the power of young leaders to transform the mental health landscape. Our Youth Spotlight series is dedicated to celebrating exceptional young people who are founders, advocates, and changemakers, using their passion and purpose to create real impact in their communities and beyond. Advocacy and Policy Youth Spotlight: Diya Mankotia   We are incredibly proud to shine a light on this month’s featured leader: Diya Mankotia, a 17-year-old senior based in Austin, Texas. 

November 7, 2025 — As a young woman of color, I’ve learned that culture isn’t just about remembering where we come from; it’s about keeping those memories alive through movement, creativity, and community. My connection to my heritage has always been strongest when I’m dancing or creating art with my hands. For me, both Mexican folklórico dancing and the Ojo de Dios, or “Eye of God,” are expressions of resilience, faith, and identity. When I first started dancing in middle school, it was the first time I truly felt something. I was never athletic or into sports, and ballet wasn’t something I could afford or felt drawn to. But when I discovered ballet folklórico, something clicked. The colorful skirts, the rhythmic steps, the music that echoed through each performance… they all carried stories that words alone could never tell. It felt like it was made for me because it came from my background. Each dance was like learning about myself, a form of finding myself within movement, color, and community. Although folklórico dancing is often associated with Mexican culture, it has deep Indigenous roots that connect traditions across the Southwest. In my home state, it’s more than performance — it’s storytelling. It’s a living archive of our community’s survival, celebration, and adaptation. And for me, it has become a form of mental health care, a way to express emotions I was never taught to name. Each dance is a history lesson in motion. The way we move our feet, the way the ribbons or scarves flow, even the designs of our clothing, they all have meaning. Through dancing, I’ve learned patience, discipline, and pride in who I am. I’ve also learned that joy is a form of resistance. For Native and Indigenous people, simply existing in our traditions — smiling, dancing, singing — is an act of defiance against centuries that tried to silence us. The Ojo de Dios holds a similar kind of power. I grew up seeing them everywhere, hanging on doors, walls, and altars in the homes of my tías, tíos, and family friends, without ever really knowing what they meant. Traditionally made by the Huichol and Tepehuán people of Mexico, the Ojo de Dios represents the four elements and the ability to see and understand what is unseen. In my community, creating one is a small act of love and intention. Each layer of yarn represents a loved one, the outer layer is often a male figure, maybe a cousin who loves tomatoes, symbolized by red for his strength and the joy he brings to your life. The next layer might be blue, for my grandmother’s eyes and her kindness, or green, for the growth we hope to nurture within ourselves and our community. As the threads cross, they form a pattern that feels sacred, a woven reflection of connection, gratitude, and balance. Making an Ojo de Dios is also an act of mindfulness. Every turn of the yarn feels like a prayer, a grounding in the present. In my culture, we don’t often talk about emotions or go to counseling. Healing isn’t spoken; it’s lived. It happens through tradition, through family, through showing up for one another even when words fail. When I create or dance, silence becomes expression. I don’t need to explain what I feel, it’s already there in the rhythm, in the colors, in the movement. That is my form of counseling. And while I believe our communities deserve access to real mental health support in the future, I also believe we need to meet people where they are. For many of us, healing happens in these spaces, through art, movement, and shared culture, because that’s where we feel seen, comfortable, and whole. To me, mental health and culture aren’t separate — they sustain each other. The Ojo de Dios teaches patience; dancing teaches courage. Both remind me that wellness comes from remembering who you are. This Native American Heritage Month, I hope others find strength in their own cultural roots — whether through art, language, music, or movement. Because when we honor where we come from, we begin to heal where we are.

October 14, 2025 — This Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m thinking about the state of mental health in our community. I reflect on my early years and the challenges I faced navigating expectations and culture in my Hispanic family. Growing up, I experienced personal challenges because within our culture, mental health was frequently disregarded and undertreated. This reality meant that to avoid the judgment and misunderstanding, I had to learn to deal with my mental health problems in private. And I know this is a reality that many people who come of age in Hispanic households can relate to. I felt really confined as a young girl because I didn't feel like I could tell my family about my mental health struggles. I worried that if I told them I was depressed, they wouldn't understand and would try to convince me that I wasn't ill. And when I did the brave thing and spoke up about my mental health, the fears I had were validated. When I finally opened up, my mother dismissed my feelings. She told me that people in our religion and culture don't get depressed. I was told that it was a sin to have negative feelings about myself because I was God’s creation and that it wasn’t right to criticize his work. It was devastating to hear in such a vulnerable moment. Fortunately, when I decided to tell my father about what I was feeling, he understood. Having faced similar emotional roadblocks with his own mother, he knew what I was going through. He tried his best to console me and urged me to seek help, whether it was through school counseling or therapy. My father's support became a crucial source of comfort, but it was still a long road. It took me a very long time to fully accept my mental condition and be honest with myself. I was sick of feeling alone, and I wanted to talk to someone other than my friends about how I was feeling. This difficulty I had in sharing what I was going through with my family, exacerbated by the fear of rejection, highlights a major barrier to mental health support that is tragically common across many underserved communities. I want to share my story to highlight how important it is to feel safe being open about mental health challenges, particularly within spaces where it hasn’t always been encouraged. Throughout my upbringing in a Hispanic household, I witnessed firsthand how stigma, cultural norms, or the expectation that we need to "be strong" may lead mental health to be disregarded or ignored. This collective silence is a public health crisis that demands immediate attention. You never really know what someone might be going through, and the serious mental health challenges they might be navigating in silence. And no one deserves to go through their mental health journey alone. We have to overcome these harmful biases and the antiquated norms that keep so many of us silent. By actively challenging this stigma and making discussions about mental health more commonplace, we can create a supportive and empathetic society where people can open up about their difficulties without feeling ashamed. The key takeaway from my journey is that seeking help is an act of strength, not shame. We must do what my father did: actively break the cycle and choose a path different from the one we grew up with. Everyone deserves to be met with acceptance and compassion, rather than judgment, if we are to see real progress for both the present and future generations.

October 2, 2025 — At the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester, uncertainty and fear left me in a state of worry. This fear was not just for my own well-being, but also for that of my family. The thought of being taken away to my birthplace — a place I don't know, where I couldn’t identify a single street or landmark — really worried me. As a college senior, my education and future hung in the balance. Doubt for the future invaded me; I feared I wouldn't be able to finish and earn my bachelor's degree. But despite my worries, I kept my head held high. My anchor was my faith in God. I truly believed He would guide my family and me through each day. My final semester was unlike any other. News of police actions and families being taken into immigration custody made it hard to leave the dorm for classes, my internship, or even to enjoy a moment of peace. To avoid putting my family in danger, we didn’t visit each other. It wasn’t worth the risk. I tried to take care of myself during this time, but it was so hard with the fear of what was happening right outside my door. I was trying to stay aware of the immigration crackdowns to keep my family safe, but it got to the point where the terrible things I was seeing were affecting my mental well-being. That’s when I knew I had to find a different way to cope with all the stress. I want to share how I learned to take care of myself, even when everything feels overwhelming. Stop Doomscrolling I was using social media to stay updated with ongoing news, which helps keep me and my family safe. But it got to the point where it was too much negativity, and it started to affect my mental health. Something that helped my mental state was to cut back my time on social media. It took someone close to me reminding me that the things I kept seeing were keeping me from living my daily life in peace. I had to set a goal to reduce what I saw online. I understand that we use social media to stay aware of breaking news for our security and the security of our loved ones. However, caring for one’s mental state is especially important for one's well-being. Even if you can’t unplug completely, you can start by setting a daily time limit on the social media apps that cause you the most stress. Find Peace Through Journaling With everything I was experiencing, I decided to take on a new hobby to help me process and relax— junk journaling. For me, junk journaling was a creative way to use old papers and everyday things to journal about my day-to-day life. It was a routine that gave me an escape from all the scary news. Doing so kept me away from all that was going on with immigration and the deportations of families. It gave my mind some peace and a place to evolve my creativity. Taking a break from it all improved my quality of life. It was great to put my energy into something new, productive, and fun. Try picking up a new hobby to find your peace today — like drawing, crafting, or meditation. Give it a try for 15 minutes. Find Gratitude for the Present Life lately has reminded me that there are things out of my control that I cannot change. I’ve learned to be okay with letting go and focusing on the present. You have to look at the good things: the people in your life, like family, friends, and mentors. The little things truly matter. Even with the police nearby, I still managed to get to my internship. I gave myself space to feel my emotions and trust that everything would be okay, with God's will. With the support of my community and family, it wasn't easy, but I made it through. Your circumstances might be outside of your control, but how you navigate them is up to you. Right now, take a deep breath and remind yourself of three good things you have in your life that you can be grateful for. My mentor once told me everybody has their own story. I know my story because I’ve lived it. I use my voice, and ultimately, that is my greatest power. And despite all the uncertainty and risk, nobody can take that away from me. So remember, you all have a voice, so use it wisely. And do not let anybody try to take that away from you, because they can’t. If you’re seeing the impact of the current climate and want to take action, I want you to know that there are ways to support the immigrant community. If you want to support, consider organizations working in your local community. There are many ways to help — donate and share information with your classmates, and find ways to show up for those in your life who are affected. It can even be as simple as checking in on your friends and neighbors and asking how you can support them.

September 26, 2025 — Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of suicide. Mental health advocacy isn’t just something I do — it’s who I am. My journey began long before I found Active Minds, back when I was seven years old and lost my babysitter to suicide. That moment made me a suicide survivor before I could even understand the weight of what had happened. As I grew older, I not only understood the gravity of suicidal ideation, but also experienced it myself. Growing up queer and neurodivergent in a conservative household shaped by Mexican and Middle Eastern traditions, I faced mental illness in an environment where silence and stigma often replaced the support I needed. Being the eldest sibling also came with its own responsibilities. I wanted better for my younger sisters: more understanding, more resources, and more compassion than I had. Keeping them at the forefront of my priorities, I began advocating for mental health support at home. That commitment to making a safer environment for my family planted the seed for a wider mission to cultivate inclusive spaces of care wherever I went. That seed found ground when I joined UCLA’s Active Minds chapter. For the first time, I had the infrastructure to take what had always been personal and make it collective. Active Minds gave me more than a platform — it gave me a community. My story no longer felt like a burden. Instead, it became a bridge, connecting me to others who needed to hear, “You matter here.” As Advocacy Director in my chapter and a pioneer in other mental health spaces on campus, I launched projects that spoke to students who are often overlooked. I organized a Neurodivergent Resource Hub and Awareness Week, hosted queer movie nights, created campus-wide surveys on access to mental health resources, and co-led annual conferences that explored how mental health intersects with culture, art, and basic needs. I also worked alongside Residential Life, external partners, and other student organizations to shift how our campus viewed mental health, especially for minority students. Each project reminded me that stories like mine — shaped by resilience, difference, and survival — are not only valid but essential to creating change. When I stepped into the role of Executive Director, my purpose in Active Minds deepened. Suddenly, I was overseeing all of our chapter’s committees: education, workshops, advocacy, outreach, marketing, radio, membership, finance, corporate relations, logistics, and interns. It was overwhelming at times, but it also showed me just how much impact we could have when we worked together. At the heart of it all was the same mission: cultivating safe, inclusive spaces where every student feels seen and supported. Our chapter intentionally opens its doors to everyone, whether they are queer, students of color, neurodivergent, or anyone who has ever felt like they were carrying their story alone. So why am I staying involved? Because I know the difference it makes. Active Minds gave me the structure to turn my lived experience into meaningful action, and I want others to have that same opportunity. I’ve seen the relief in students’ eyes when they realize they are not alone. I’ve seen them share their stories for the first time, find support, and begin to believe that change is possible. Those moments remind me why this work matters. Advocacy isn’t always easy. It means challenging the perpetuating stigma that lingers in families, communities, and institutions. It means demanding policies and practices that prioritize mental health. But every step forward — every event, every conversation, every new initiative — is proof that we can build something better than the silence many of us grew up with. I stay with Active Minds because my journey has never been just my own. It belongs to the communities I serve: my siblings, my peers, queer students, students of color, first-generation students, and neurodivergent students who deserve to thrive in spaces where mental health is valued, not hidden. Continuing this work means carrying forward the lessons of my past while helping to create a safer present for others. My story may have started in silence and grief, but through Active Minds, it has become one of connection, advocacy, and hope. And that’s why I’ll keep going.