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March 20, 2026 — Sitting in my dorm room, bored and alone, I realized that the only thing keeping me there was myself. What I needed was fun, and if fun wasn’t going to find me inside Heritage Commons Residence Hall, I’d have to find it. Then it hit me – jump rope. I ordered one online and asked a friend if she would go out and swing it with me. We walked out to the promenade, an area on Clark Atlanta University Campus where students congregate, and began swinging the long, colorful rope. Slowly, we caught the interest of our fellow students. The promenade felt transformed and was more reminiscent of a childhood school yard than a university walk. For the first time in over 10 years, it felt like we were playing together at recess, and the small joys reserved for kids in elementary school were ours again, only now we’re not just “big kids,” we are young adults. It was fun and a reminder that growing up doesn’t have to mean missing out. One student came over and told me how much they loved what we were doing and encouraged us to keep it up – so I did just that. An afternoon of boredom turned into one of community and play, from this, my startup Big Kids Inc. was born. Big Kids Inc. is an organization that hosts engaging, playful events for adults like field days, dodgeball tournaments, picnics, and more. We believe that the key to relieving stress and building community nurtures our inner child. One of our most powerful wellness tools is play, and now, as a Junior in college and a year into this journey, I know more than ever that play is my purpose. How You Can Incorporate Play Into Your Routine It is imperative that we live our lives to the fullest, which is why it’s a mission of mine to play often and boldly like when I was young. In the practice of lifestyle, I routinely find myself incorporating games into my everyday life. I enjoy word-searches in the campus library and asking friendly faces to play with me. Instead of letting the fear of rejection define my choices, I let the possibility of connection motivate me. Making friends on the playground seemed so simple as a child. My goal is to bring the playground to young adults, whether that’s in the form of a jump rope on the promenade or a word search in the library. Host a game night: Play board games and enjoy spending time with people you love. Play cards: Be bold! Get yourself a stack of uno cards or playing cards and ask people in shared community spaces like your college student center or library to play a quick game of cards with you. Go to the park: Spend time at a local park with your friends and have fun on the swings and slides like when you were a kid. Get Involved Ever thought about how your mental health journey could be the blueprint someone else needs? Tell your story on our blog and show the world what mental health mobilization looks like today. Find out how to submit your story on our website.

March 5, 2026 — March is that in-between moment. Winter burnout is real, the semester schedule is in full swing, and everyone is waiting for the energy that spring is supposed to bring. If you’ve been feeling a little off, you’re not alone. The good news? A mental health reset doesn’t have to mean a complete life overhaul. Sometimes it’s the small, consistent habits that make the biggest difference. Here are three simple ways to reset and prioritize your mental health this month. 1. Start a 10-Minute “Daily Check-In” You don’t need a full journaling routine or a perfectly curated morning ritual. Just give yourself 10 minutes a day to check in with yourself. Try this: Write down one thing you’re stressed about One thing you’re grateful for One thing you’re looking forward to It helps clear mental clutter and makes your emotions feel more manageable. If journaling isn’t your thing, a quick voice memo to yourself works, too. 2. Touch Grass (Seriously) Spending time outside can seriously boost your mood and energy. And no, it doesn’t have to be a full nature hike. Simple ways to do it: Take a 10–15 minute walk between classes Sit outside while studying Meet a friend for a walk instead of another coffee shop hang Fresh air, sunlight, and a short break from screens can help reset your mind more than you think. 3. Create One “No-Pressure” Hour Each Week We’re all juggling a lot: school, work, social lives, and the constant noise of social media. Give yourself one hour each week where productivity doesn’t matter. This could look like: Watching a comfort show Doing a creative hobby (drawing, music, crafting) Reading something that isn’t for class Cooking a new recipe The rule: no guilt, no multitasking, no pressure to post about it. Your Reset Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect Self-care on social media can look like elaborate routines and aesthetic wellness trends, but real mental health care is often much simpler. Small habits done consistently—checking in with yourself, getting outside, and making time to recharge—can help you feel more grounded as the season changes. Spring is about new beginnings. Think of this month as your reminder that even small resets can help you bloom. Get Involved Ever thought about how your mental health journey could be the blueprint someone else needs? Tell your story on our blog and show the world what mental health mobilization looks like today. Find out how to submit your story on our website.

March 5, 2026 — Growing up, I was one of the few people I knew who wasn’t obsessed with social media. I didn’t have Instagram or Snapchat as a young teen, and the thought of spending hours scrolling through feeds seemed foreign. For me, it wasn’t a conscious decision to stay off social media, but it was simply how things were. In retrospect, I realize just how much that decision shaped my self-image and overall well-being. Without social media feeding me curated highlights of other people’s lives, I had the space to focus on my own experiences and develop a healthier self-image. I wasn’t comparing myself to strangers on the internet or feeling pressured by likes and follower counts. I had time to create meaningful in-person relationships and explore my passions without this distraction. However, in a world where devices are constantly vying for our attention, I see how much easier it is now for people to get caught in a cycle of comparison and burnout. In this process, I’ve realized that finding balance is key to maintaining overall mental health and productivity. It isn’t a secret that social media has presented several challenges for our mental health. Research has shown that excessive screen time, particularly on social media, is correlated with increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The constant notifications and pressure to present a perfect version of ourselves to the world can leave us feeling more drained and disconnected than ever before. Ultimately, posting only the best parts of our lives (vacations, achievements, etc.) and not the tough moments (as many of us don’t) creates this “highlight reel” that makes it easy to feel inadequate when comparing ourselves to others. In addition, spending hours online can take away from time spent on hobbies, relationships, or simply resting, which are essential for mental clarity and emotional health. With that in mind, here are some practical tips that have helped me find a healthy balance between staying connected and taking care of my mental health: Set screen time limits: Most phones now have built-in features to track and limit your screen time. Set your boundaries with social media apps that tend to drain your energy. Start with smaller limits and gradually increase them as you build healthier habits. Designate tech-free times: Create moments in the day when you intentionally can disconnect from screens. I usually choose to stay off my phone right after waking up, opting for reading or exercising instead. I find that this small change helps me feel recharged and ready for the day ahead. Unfollow accounts that don’t serve you: If you find that a particular account consistently feeds into a cycle of comparison, unfollow them. It’s okay to curate a digital environment that is a positive space that inspires you rather than drains you. Take social media breaks: If you feel particularly stuck in a social media “rut”, it might be worth taking a full-on break from social media for a weekend, a week, or even longer. A break can help reset your mindset and give you the space to focus on other parts of your life that may have been overlooked. While social media can offer amazing opportunities for connection, education, and entertainment, it’s essential to remember that our mental health and well-being should always come first. By being more intentional with our time online and setting digital boundaries, we can create a healthier relationship with technology that supports overall happiness and success. Finding balance in a hyper-connected world isn’t about completely rejecting technology: it is about using it in a way that enhances our lives rather than detracting from them.

February 23, 2026 — Black History Month was my favorite time of the school year. For more than a decade on the South Side of Chicago, I lived my life by a school calendar, first as a teacher, then as a principal. Every day brought something real: joy and grief, brilliance and burden, laughter and loss. And every February, something shifted in the building. The air felt different. The students felt taller. As a principal, I started each day with my students in Morning Meeting — a whole-school moment to set our intention before the day tried to set it for us. And in February, we began with a chant, in unison: "My history is Black history. And one day I’ll make history." I can’t fully describe the pride I felt as a Black man in those moments or how hopeful I was for the future generations packed into that breakfast room. The chant wasn’t just a mantra. It was a declaration. A reminder that our children come from something, that they are something, and that they were never meant to be invisible. Black History is as Old as American History Black History Month matters because Black history isn’t a side chapter in the American story, it’s a foundation.  And in 2026, we’re also marking a century since historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week: an intentional act to preserve and uplift Black life and Black achievement in a country that routinely erased them. That week planted the seeds for what became Black History Month, and in 1976, President Gerald Ford formally recognized the national observance. A hundred years later, we should be honest about what that means: Woodson’s work is still necessary. Black history is still being written, and the gaps between progress and reality are still wide enough to hurt. In just the past 100 years, we’ve witnessed history as the United States elected its first Black president. And yet, as of February 2026, no Black woman has ever served as a U.S. governor. We celebrated the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson — sworn in 2022. And still, it was only 169 years ago that the Supreme Court infamously ruled in Dred Scott that Black people were not U.S. citizens and had no standing to claim protections in federal court.  That contrast is the point.  Black History Month is not only about what we’ve survived. It’s about how we keep naming the truth, even when the truth makes the country uncomfortable.  In Present Day America, Remembering Is Resistance Here’s the reality: we are living in a time when teaching honest history is being challenged in new and organized ways, with policies of intimidation aimed at educators and institutions.  That matters for everyone, but it hits differently when you’re Black, because erasure is not theoretical. It is historical. It is strategic. And it is exhausting.  So yes, Black History Month is still important, not because we need a single month to prove our worth, but because the fight to keep our stories visible continues in real time. And that’s also why I believe learning Black history can be more than education. Learning Black History Is a Form of Mental Health Care There’s a powerful truth I’ve seen in schools and in community spaces: when people know where they come from, they stand differently. Engaging with Black history can give us a sense of belonging, a connection to elders, ancestors, thinkers, builders, and everyday people who made a way out of no way. It can remind us we are not alone. It can buffer us against a world that too often refuses to see our full humanity. And Black communities have always understood care as something we build together — especially when systems fail to center our wellbeing. That’s why our healing has lived not only in clinics, but in barbershops and salons, in music, in church basements, in front porches, in food, in ritual, in laughter. Even rest has a history here. Long before “self-care” became a trend, Black thinkers taught us that caring for ourselves is not indulgence, it’s survival. It’s preservation.  A Call to Action: Beyond February If you’re Black, I want to say this plainly: Keep learning about Black history to equip yourself. 
Equip your spirit. Your language. Your sense of self. Your ability to recognize what’s happening around you. Equip your joy, too. Because understanding Black history is not just about the past. It’s a way to better understand the full perspective of American history and to care for yourself and others in the present. Back in that breakfast room, when my students said, “One day I’ll make history,” they weren’t talking about fame. They were talking about the possibility. Black History Month is a reminder that possibility is not imaginary; it’s inherent. And it’s also something we owe to each other. So let’s honor Carter G. Woodson’s legacy the way he intended: not with a single celebration, but with sustained commitment. Learn. Remember. Tell the truth. Care for yourself. Care for each other.  Get Involved Ever thought about how your mental health journey could be the blueprint someone else needs? Tell your story on our blog and show the world what mental health mobilization looks like today. Find out how to submit your story on our website.

February 22, 2026 — We are proud to introduce the Alumni Board, a group of former chapter leaders dedicated to supporting young adults as they transition into the professional world. These changemakers haven't stopped their mental health advocacy work just because they’ve entered the workforce — they are continuing their involvement with Active Minds as they build their careers. With backgrounds ranging from social workers to HR professionals, these members are helping to guide Active Minds’ workforce development resources so that every student has the resources to transition their campus activism to every part of their post-graduation life. Meet the Alumni Board to see how these leaders are continuing their journey with mental health advocacy and Active Minds.

February 20, 2026 — This month, our Chapter of the Month highlights the incredible momentum at Rivier University. In just their first year on campus, these students have bridged the gap between the playing field and mental health. Through their leadership, they're teaching everyone that mental wellness is the true foundation of every student’s success. From their creative pumpkin smashing stress-relief event to hosting sports psychology seminars, they’ve sparked honest mental health conversations across the entire student body. Rivier is living proof that you don’t need a long history to make a massive impact — just the courage to begin. Discover how they’re changing the game through our Q&A. Tell us about your school and chapter. Rivier University is a small, close-knit campus in New Hampshire with a strong student athlete community. The Kyle Cares Active Minds Chapter was started last fall to promote mental health awareness at Rivier in an energetic, creative, and inclusive way. Share something your chapter has done recently that you are proud of. We hosted Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, a sports psychologist who works with the New England Patriots and Red Sox, to speak to our athletes. Around 150 athletes attended, making it one of the largest mental health programs for student athletes at Rivier. Why is mental health important to your chapter and school? Mental health is important to our chapter because it affects academic success, athletic performance, and personal well-being. We want Rivier students to understand that caring for their minds is just as important as caring for their bodies. How is your chapter making a difference on campus? Our chapter is making a difference by thinking outside the box and reaching students who might not attend traditional mental health events. Through creative programs like rage room pumpkin smashing and large presentations, we are reducing stigma and starting honest conversations. What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining or starting a chapter? You will never regret trying to make positive change. Start small, stay consistent, and focus on what your campus cares about. There is nothing more rewarding than helping your peers feel supported. What is a mental health mantra your chapter lives by? Any effort to create positive change helps tip the scales. We believe that making a difference does not require perfection, only the courage to begin.

February 9, 2026 — February is often called the month of love, but it is also nationally recognized as Black History Month. It is a time to reflect on moments of pride, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, as well as the ongoing harm Black communities continue to face. One of those spaces is healthcare, a system where "care" often feels like a misnomer. For many Black patients, cold white walls aren't just unwelcoming; they are reminders of a system that frequently fails to see our full humanity. These experiences are not just history — they are happening now. A big contributor to these disparities is the lack of Black healthcare providers. While Black people make up about 13% of the U.S. population, only about 5% of physicians and a staggering 4% of psychologists identify as Black. This representation gap creates a massive barrier to access. When we do seek help, we are often met by providers who do not share our lived experiences, allowing unconscious bias to reinforce harmful misconceptions, including the false belief that Black people experience less pain. To be clear: this is a myth — and a very dangerous one. There are several other myths that have long shaped healthcare experiences for Black patients, including: The belief that Black people have thicker skin The belief that Black people have less sensitive nerve endings The belief that Black people’s blood coagulates (changes) faster The belief that Black individuals are more capable of handling trauma without professional mental health intervention All of these claims are false. Yet despite efforts to educate newer generations of healthcare professionals, the damage caused by these myths has already been deeply rooted in medical systems. Because of these misconceptions, Black patients often face: Racial bias in medical decision-making Harmful characterizations of their tone and behavior as aggressive Reduced access to appropriate pain management Providers overlooking or minimizing pain Underestimation of the severity of medical conditions These outcomes are not accidental. They are the result of systemic bias that continues to affect patient care. As a student pursuing medicine, I have witnessed the impact of these myths firsthand in clinical observations. Hospitals are places where I feel hope and excitement, but many Black patients experience something very different. Instead of comfort, they carry feelings of distrust, fear, and disappointment. These emotions are shaped by repeated experiences of being unheard or dismissed. Because of this history, many Black patients: Feel uncomfortable fully disclosing symptoms, in part out of fear of being labeled unstable Avoid seeking care due to fear of bias Worry they will not be taken seriously Face stigma surrounding mental health treatment These obstacles overlap and reinforce one another, creating a cycle that discourages care and worsens outcomes. Personally, I am fortunate to have access to Black medical professionals in my community, access that has made a difference in how safe and supported I feel in healthcare spaces. That access is the difference between feeling "seen" and feeling "processed." However, this is not the reality for everyone, which is why speaking openly about Black experiences in healthcare is one of the most important steps toward change. The gradual increase in the number of Black providers offers hope for the future. One day, healthcare will reflect teams of providers from many backgrounds, not just white coats on white faces. Until then, community care reminds Black patients that they are worthy of equal treatment. This Black History Month, don't just look back — help write the next chapter. If you’ve felt unheard in the exam room or dismissed by a counselor, know that your experience is real and the treatment you received is not okay. When we share our stories and support one another in finding culturally competent care, we create a ripple effect that challenges systemic bias. By reclaiming the narrative around Black bodies and creating safe spaces where we are truly heard, we move closer to a healthcare system rooted in dignity and equity. Did you know that you can share your story on the Active Minds blog? Visit our website to learn more — your words could be exactly what someone needs to hear.

January 28, 2026 — The 2026 Emerging Scholars Fellowship is finally here and we are so excited for the change they are making! Supported by the Scattergood Foundation and Macy’s, this program mobilizes students to dismantle mental health disparities in BIPOC communities. The Emerging Scholars Fellowship provides funding, mentorship, and a supportive scholar network to student researchers to complete independent mental health projects and take action on any recommended findings. Get to know the 2026 Emerging Scholars and explore the perspectives they’re bringing to their work. Read through these introductions to meet the students and learn about the research projects they are leading to drive change in their communities.

January 23, 2026 — The Challenge On July 5th, starting at midnight, I began running four miles every four hours for 48 hours straight. It’s called the 4x4x48 challenge — a test of endurance well-known in the ultrarunning world. To support the event, I invited friends, family, and neighbors to join me — some ran a few laps, others walked and cheered from the sidewalk, and many gathered in front of my house to hang out, encourage one another, and keep the energy going throughout the 48 hours. Why was I doing this? Why put myself through so much? Because mental health matters.  Why I Choose to Support Active Minds Since starting ultrarunning in early 2023, I’ve spent countless hours and thousands of miles on trails. The biggest lesson I’ve learned? The mind is far more powerful than we realize.  This challenge wasn’t just about me. It was about all of us. The challenge created a space where people could run (or walk, or simply show up) for something bigger than themselves. Friends reconnected, neighbors bonded, and new faces brought fresh energy. In the end, the encouragement and support we gave each other mattered more than the miles themselves.  That’s why I partnered with Active Minds to complete this challenge. Active Minds’ mission aligns perfectly with my personal beliefs: break down stigma, spark conversation, and remind people they’re not alone. Focusing on improving the mental wellness of students and young adults through community support What I Learned About a week after the challenge, a neighbor asked me:  “At what point was it the hardest?”  At first, I thought it had to be the end — those final runs when I was completely exhausted and sleep-deprived. But after a moment of reflection, I realized the hardest moment wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.  At midnight on July 5th, I stepped outside alone into the cold, dark night. I had no idea how I would feel in the hours ahead. I didn’t know if people would support my effort — or if anyone would even show up. I was 48 miles from the “finish line” and completely uncertain about how the weekend would unfold. Yes, starting with those thoughts was the hardest part.  Then something incredible happened. After that first lonely run, people began to show up. First two. Then five. By the end, we had a consistent 10+ people joining, cheering, and running beside me.  As the challenge went on, and the support around me grew, the weight of the effort somehow got lighter. New faces brought new energy. Laughter, conversations, and encouragement distracted me from the pain I felt in my feet. What started as a personal test of endurance turned into something much more powerful: a shared experience of resilience, community, and care.  I finished the final leg not just with pride in what I had done, but with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who showed up — and for the reminder that we’re never truly alone in what we’re going through.   Taking Your First Step One of the most powerful things this challenge reinforced for me is that community doesn’t just help us get through hard things — it helps us move important missions forward. When we join together around mental health, we expand what’s possible. And with organizations like Active Minds, there are so many meaningful ways to take part. You can raise money to fuel mental health education and peer-to-peer support. You can start an Active Minds chapter at your school or encourage your community to create safe spaces for conversation and connection. You can mobilize the people around you — friends, coworkers, neighbors — to take mental health seriously and show up for one another. No matter how you participate, it all begins with one simple step: choosing to act. Choosing to care. Choosing to be part of something bigger than yourself. That first step creates momentum, and momentum creates change. Often, mental health challenges don’t always have a clear finish line. Like the 4x4x48, they require persistence, vulnerability, and support. We often move forward with uncertainty — not knowing where we’re headed, how we’ll feel, or what obstacles we’ll face. But we keep going anyway. If you’re feeling inspired to take your own first step, explore how you can support Active Minds and make a real impact. 

January 14, 2026 — I was around 11 years old the first time my mother brought me into the kitchen and, unknowingly, opened a door that would one day help save my life. I didn’t realize she was carrying her own mental health challenges. What I did know was that being in the kitchen felt different. It felt safe. She taught me simple meals and always said something that stuck with me: “Flavors are like people. When they blend well, you bring out something special.” At that age, I didn’t understand the depth of what she meant. But I understood how it felt to take a few ingredients and create something meaningful. Over time, the kitchen became a place where I could breathe. Growing up around addiction and instability, there were many days when life felt heavy and unpredictable. But the kitchen didn’t demand perfection from me. It didn’t judge me. It just asked me to show up. Even if everything around me felt out of control, I could reach for ingredients and work through my emotions step by step. Cooking became my therapy long before I ever used the word 'therapy.' As life got harder — through grief, loss, depression, and seasons of feeling overwhelmed — the kitchen remained steady. When I didn’t know what to do with what I was feeling, I cooked. When I needed silence, I cooked. When I needed comfort, I cooked. Something about turning raw, unfinished ingredients into something nourishing for both my body and soul helped me believe things in my life could transform, too, if I gave them time. Eventually, cooking became a way for me to connect with others. I started inviting people over, hosting dinners, and creating community around the table. What had once been my private coping space became a place where others felt welcomed, seen, and cared for. I’m not a world-renowned chef. But I am someone who learned how to take what I had and create something meaningful. And that lesson goes far beyond food. Maybe cooking isn’t your outlet. Maybe it’s writing, movement, music, journaling, or something else creative that helps you process your emotions. Whatever it is, I hope you find a space — no matter what that looks like — that helps you feel grounded and safe. A place where you can slow down, breathe, and show up as you are. Cooking gave me a sense of control when everything else felt unstable. It showed me that healing doesn’t always happen in big moments. Sometimes it happens in quiet places where we gather what we have and do the best we can. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: You don’t have to be perfect to create something beautiful. You just have to begin.