Article

August 8, 2025 — As students across the country return to classrooms (and late-night study sessions!), there’s a shared energy in the air — one full of excitement and unfiltered group chats about how stressful everything is in the world! The pressure to perform, get good grades, and to “get it all right” can quickly become overwhelming. This school year, instead of letting that stress take over, students have a powerful alternative: connection. By prioritizing relationships and meaningful conversations, you can create a more supportive and inclusive environment where no one feels like they have to carry it all alone. If there was one moment at this year’s Active Minds Mental Health Conference that had the room holding its breath, it was when Alexander Stewart took the stage. For the second year in a row, the independent artist and mental health advocate joined hundreds of young people in Washington D.C. for two days of powerful storytelling. He continues to be a trusted voice in the movement to change how young people talk about mental health. Alexander’s keynote address centered around vulnerability, healing, and how creativity can be a form of advocacy. Pulling from his personal experiences, he spoke with honesty, offering not just stories, but solidarity. “You don’t have to have it all figured out to share your truth,” he told the audience. “Sometimes, just showing up is the most honest thing you can do.” Throughout the conference, students shared how Alexander’s presence helped them feel seen, understood, and more empowered to speak about their own mental health journeys. That message — that showing up matters — is one we can all carry with us this Fall. For many of us, mental health is finally becoming part of daily life: we talk with friends about anxiety, read articles about self-care, or connect with a therapist when things get tough. But the reality is, not everyone is having those conversations yet. Many students still walk through school hallways or sit in classrooms where mental health is rarely acknowledged. That’s where you come in. You can be the one who opens the door and starts the conversation. There are countless ways to take action, and it all begins with tapping into the powerful resources from Active Minds. Start or join a student-led Active Minds Chapter to build community and create change on your campus. Invite a speaker from the Active Minds Speakers Bureau to bring powerful, lived-experience storytelling into your school. Download and use our Mental Health Curriculum, a free discussion guide perfect for classrooms, clubs, or youth groups. Check out the Your Voice is Your Power Resource Hub — it’s packed with everything you need to own your story, support your mental health, and make real change at your school and in your community. These tools make it easy to start meaningful conversations, no matter your experience level. If you’re looking to take your advocacy even further, apply for the Active Minds Advocacy Institute. This paid, year-long leadership program is designed to help students transform their ideas into real, lasting impact; on campus, in their communities, and in future careers. Participants will develop detailed action plans during fall 2025 and implement those plans in spring 2026, with mentorship and support from Active Minds every step of the way. In partnership with Active Minds, you can expand your impact beyond campus; maybe all the way to CONGRESS! Through our policy initiatives, students can explore current legislation that supports mental health and add their voice to the conversation. This school year, make sure to familiarize yourself with the issues and then contact your elected officials in your community. Right now, we're working on a growing initiative to add the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number to student ID cards. This student-driven effort is making mental health support more visible and accessible while helping to normalize help-seeking behavior and reduce stigma. By advocating for this simple yet meaningful change, students are showing that policy doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes, it starts with a small, strategic step that makes a big difference on campus. Whether you're just starting out or have been advocating for years, this school year offers endless opportunities to care for your own mental health while also creating space for others to do the same. You don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. You just need to be willing to show up, speak out, and support one another. Whatever step you decide to take this school year, remember that your voice matters, and your advocacy can help shape a system that prioritizes access to care for all. Ready to get involved? Visit activeminds.org to explore resources, join a chapter, or apply to a program today. The future of mental health starts with your story!

July 24, 2025 — Mental health was never a topic that was brought up naturally in my house. In many immigrant households, there seems to be an unspoken understanding that struggles are meant to be endured, not expressed. When mental health is brought up, the topic is often quickly dismissed with a shrug and the familiar phrase: “What will people say?” That phrase, “log kya kahenge?”, carries weight. It’s not just about neighbors or relatives. It’s about preserving the image of strength, stability, and resilience that many immigrant families fought to build. But what happens when that image comes at the cost of our mental well-being? “I didn’t know how to explain I was hurting” I interviewed several high school students from immigrant families, all from different cultures, and each of them shared stories that mirrored my own. Sara, a Pakistani-American sophomore, told me, “When I first brought up that I was feeling anxious, my mom said that I should just pray more… It felt like my feelings didn’t count because they weren’t visible.” Another student, Luis, shared how his parents believed depression was a sign of weakness: “They told me I was being dramatic. But I struggled every day just to get out of bed.” Their stories highlighted a common thread: silence. In many immigrant communities, mental health isn’t dismissed out of cruelty, but out of a belief system where survival has always come first. Our parents and grandparents grew up in situations where therapy was rare, mental illness was misunderstood and stigmatized, and where vulnerability was dangerous. Why our elders think this way To understand the stigma, we have to first understand the history. For generations, mental health wasn’t something that could be safely acknowledged. In many parts of the world, mental health struggles were associated with shame, weakness, or isolation. Immigrants carried these beliefs with them, often unintentionally passing them down. For them, success meant security, education, and keeping the family together. Mental health was never part of their definition of success. But times are changing and so are we. How can we start the conversation So how do we shift the narrative without disrespecting our families or their values? Here are a few strategies that have helped me and my peers begin to build those bridges: 1. Start small and personal Instead of saying, “I think I’m depressed,” try starting with, “Lately I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed and tired.” Use words that feel less clinical and more emotional; it’s often easier for elders to relate to stress and exhaustion than to formal diagnoses. 2. Connect it to physical health Many immigrant families value physical health. Explaining how mental health affects sleep, appetite, energy, and the immune system can help build understanding. 3. Find a shared cultural value Whether it’s the importance of family, faith, or service, frame mental wellness as something that helps you show up stronger for those you love. Say something like, “Taking care of my mental health helps me be a better daughter/student/friend.” 4. Educate gently Share articles or stories that reflect your background. 5. Create space with others If it’s not safe to open up at home yet, find community elsewhere. School counselors, clubs, and online mental health spaces can offer validation and support until you’re ready to have those tougher conversations at home. I believe the cycle of silence ends with us. Our parents crossed oceans for a better life. Now it’s our turn to make sure that “better” includes emotional wellness. Let’s keep talking, even if it’s hard. Even if it feels awkward. Even if we hear “What will people say?”, because what we say matters too.

July 17, 2025 — Effective today, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program has been shut down. While the general 988 hotline remains open to all, callers can no longer "Press 3" to receive specialized support from an LGBTQ+-affirming provider. This move cuts a literal lifeline, removing a vital, specialized resource that has provided crisis services to an estimated 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people since 2022. Despite this devastating federal decision, The Trevor Project's free and confidential crisis services remain fully operational and available 24/7 for any LGBTQ+ person who needs support. To understand the full impact of this shutdown, what The Trevor Project is doing, and how you can take action, explore our conversation with The Trevor Project below. 3 Questions with the Trevor Project What can youth and young adults do right now to respond to this decision? There are several ways people can take action in response to this decision. Right now, we encourage youth and young adults to sign our petition calling on Members of the U.S. Congress and the administration to protect 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialized services. People can also share and support The Trevor Project’s Emergency Lifeline Campaign for LGBTQ+ Youth. Perhaps most importantly, LGBTQ+ youth and young adults should know that The Trevor Project’s highly trained crisis counselors remain available 24/7, regardless of the 988 Lifeline’s move. Our crisis lines can be reached at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678. What do we risk losing when a program that has served 1.5 million young people disappears? The 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth services program has, as of May 2025, served 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth since its launch in September 2022. The loss of this program will be devastating for LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. The 988 Lifeline’s specialized services for veterans and for LGBTQ+ youth were specifically created because these communities are at disproportionately higher risk of suicide. These services are based on risk levels, not identities. It’s clinical best practice to connect these groups with counselors who understand their unique needs. LGBTQ+ youth need to speak with counselors who understand their identities, the coming out process, and the unique challenges that they often report experiencing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By getting rid of highly trained counselors with specialized skills, the Administration is putting these young Americans’ lives at risk. How do you think this decision will be remembered in the broader context of LGBTQ+ rights and youth mental health? Suicide prevention is about people, not politics. The reality that the federal government decided to end a lifeline that has served 1.5 million American youth at a time when they need it most will go down in history as an especially dangerous and devastating attack on LGBTQ+ youth in this country. 3 Action Items from Active Minds Sign the Trevor Project’s Petition: Sign the petition and urge Congress to take action and help us protect this life-saving program by funding the subnetwork and directing SAMHSA to maintain the 988 LGBTQ+ subnetwork moving forward. Share your Story: Whether you or someone you know has struggled with mental health, sharing those experiences can inspire others to speak up and take action. Record a short video sharing your story to support Active Minds’ legislative goals. Not sure where to start with telling your story? We’ve got your back! Join hundreds of young adults, advocates, and mental health leaders at the Active Minds Conference for an experience designed to ignite the power of storytelling! Be a Social Media Champion: Share information about the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services shutdown, remind everyone that The Trevor Project is still a safe space 24/7, and mobilize your followers to stay informed and advocate for change.

July 14, 2025 — Starting July 17, the “press 3” option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a dedicated line created to support LGBTQ+ youth, will be discontinued. After three years and more than 1.5 million calls and texts, the Trump administration has announced it is ending this specialized support. While the broader 988 Lifeline will remain available, the LGBTQ+ youth-specific hotline, launched in 2022, will no longer operate. Sure, they’re saying that “everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will still get access to caring counselors.” But let’s be real: generic support isn't enough. When you're struggling, you need someone who understands your experience and doesn’t make you explain or defend your identity. Without that, many LGBTQ+ youth may hang up, shut down, or never reach out in the first place. Thankfully, The Trevor Project and other LGBTQ+ crisis services and advocacy organizations are doing what they’ve always done: showing up.

I want every LGBTQ+ young person to know that you are worthy, you are loved, and you belong — despite this heartbreaking news. The Trevor Project’s crisis counselors are here for you 24/7, just as we always have been, to help you navigate anything you might be feeling right now.

June 30, 2025 — Who are you? What will you do? How should you present yourself? It seems as though these questions played on repeat since I can remember, consuming my thoughts into the darkest parts of the night, taunting me as if they knew, I would never come up with an answer that felt right. I was seven, maybe then I should’ve known my brain worked just a little bit differently. I’ve always been acutely aware of how my story separates me from others. Not many people can say they were adopted from a developing Latin American country and whose family of origin is made up of adopted children, but I can. Growing up, I yearned to be like my friends, someone who looked like their peers in complexion and stature. When that didn’t work, I figured if I could just act like them, take the pieces that made them “normal” and make them my own, then I’d fit in. Then, I’d feel at home in my body. But my mind and body were already at war, and I was just along for the ride. It’s one thing to feel trapped in your own head, it’s quite another when circumstances beyond your control remind you how vulnerable to tragedy you are. What-ifs played out in montages behind my eyelids, turning restless days into sleepless nights. Darkness held my secret until it became too big to contain and I found myself in a room with a doctor, finally giving my puzzle pieces names. The funny thing about diagnoses is that they can create more questions than answers. Back then, I was given three to explain my emotional turmoil. While hearing the words depression, anxiety, and anorexia brought a sense of relief, it reminded me once again that I was not like everyone else. In fact, they only hid the deep-seated fact that I had grown accustomed to thinking so much about death I forgot how to live my life — too much water under the proverbial bridge — and quite frankly, I wasn’t ready to admit the truth to myself. While I may have moved on from my childhood home, the baggage I carried came with me to my college dorm. Except now, I was on my own in a new place and at the time telehealth options were limited. I spent the next three years drowning my growing awareness of mental health struggles, finding myself once again needing more professional help. Yet this time would be different because I now was ready to admit a few key pieces of my story: yes I’m a survivor of childhood trauma (leading to my PTSD and Borderline Personality diagnosis), yes I’m a survivor of religious trauma, and yes, I am queer. Perhaps I knew these things all along but was too scared to face the implications of my thoughts, especially with an already fractured image of myself. I mean, how does someone rebuild after admitting such heavy truths? The scary reality is, there isn’t a road map, and after spending years running, I didn’t know where to begin. I knew the masks that I made from others no longer fit, but who was I underneath that shield, and moreover, how could I become the best version of her? My therapist explained that we all have different parts that make us who we are. Some parts we are proud of, while others we tend to ignore. The real magic happens when we accept all our parts, allow them to heal, and find ways to support them moving forward. While that seems really daunting, all the power you need is within yourself, because you are the one you’ve been waiting for. I’m not saying that I have this whole identity puzzle figured out or that I don’t still have the questions of “Who are you? What will you do? How should you present yourself?” floating around in my head. But what I do know so far is that above all else, I am the keeper of my peace and happiness. Living in the shadows by conforming to the desires and opinions of others does not reflect who I truly am. Neither do the slew of diagnostic codes in my medical history. As someone on the continuous journey of discovery, I encourage you to let your story unfold and embrace the richness of your true self. I assure you that it's worth it.

June 19, 2025 — Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when news of freedom finally reached enslaved people in Texas — freedom that came too late for too many. As we honor this day, we remember that true freedom isn't just about laws, it's about making sure everyone can get the healing, care, and support they need. When we talk about mental health, we have to talk about the whole picture. Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress, yet still face barriers that make getting help harder. Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder to acknowledge and challenge ongoing racial inequities in mental healthcare, particularly those affecting Black communities. Even after the abolition of slavery, the pervasive effects of systemic injustices continue to ripple through generations, profoundly impacting the mental well-being of Black individuals in the U.S. and worldwide. As we advocate for equity and inclusion, it is crucial to recognize that freedom from slavery did not bring an end to racial discrimination. To fully grasp this issue, we must understand the critical difference between equality, giving everyone the same resources, and equity, providing support based on individual needs and circumstances. While we celebrate Juneteenth, we must acknowledge that the effects of systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and daily microaggressions are widespread and don’t disappear with a holiday. They impact how Black youth show up, speak out, and care for ourselves and one another. Everyone deserves care without barriers and healing that honors their whole story. At times, creating systemic change as an individual can feel overwhelming. But meaningful progress takes time, just like the long path to Juneteenth’s federal recognition, over 150 years in the making. By supporting the mental and emotional well-being of others, especially those from historically marginalized communities, we’re helping to build a more equitable future, one action at a time. With these lasting goals in mind, we’re proud to uplift our 2025 Emerging Scholar Fellowship. This fellowship supports students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) as they lead independent, transformative research at the intersection of mental health and identity. The fellowship is more than funding; it’s a platform for systemic change. Through mentorship, visibility, and resources, Active Minds supports these rising leaders as they challenge stigma and elevate historically marginalized voices in mental health. This Juneteenth, we’re thrilled to celebrate their bold vision for a more equitable future. Let Juneteenth be more than a commemoration; let it be a commitment to mental health equity and community care. Together, we can build a future where Black students are not just surviving, but thriving.

June 6, 2025 — In a country and world that often feel hostile to LGBTQIA+ existence, simply existing as your beautiful queer self is radical. So choose joy, choose community, and choose yourself.

June 2, 2025 — Through fun, welcoming events that encouraged real participation, we set out to bring our campus and local community together around a cause that matters: mental health awareness.

May 28, 2025 — Active Minds is no stranger to setting and achieving big goals. Now, we’re setting our sights on an even bigger impact: mobilizing 100,000 youth and young adults by 2028.

May 24, 2025 — At one of the nation’s largest universities, UCF’s Active Minds chapter has truly made its mark, consistently bringing vital mental health resources to their campus at large.