Active Minds

APRIL 8, 2025

Authored by Rae James. The more I read and the closer I looked at the patients under my care, I could see High-Functioning Depression (HFD) was everywhere. But people couldn’t go to their doctor and ask for a diagnosis or a prescription for antidepressants for it. If they did, the doctor would run through a quick screening tool for depression that looks for lack of functioning and acute distress.

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Active Minds

APRIL 2, 2025

Authored by Rae James. We are beyond excited to announce a historic milestone in Active Minds journey: weve surpassed our goal of reaching 1,000 K-12 schools in 1,000 days , and we did it months ahead of schedule ! Each of these K-12 schools joined our mental health movement by bringing Active Minds to their school, demonstrating a prioritization of mental health in their communities.

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Active Minds

MARCH 24, 2025

Authored by Alison Malmon. At twenty five years, its about all the things he has missed. Its the longing for everything that didnt happen, the things that couldnt happen, because hes no longer here. Grief has been a strange road, one that cannot truly be explained. It started with being all-consuming, a disbelief that this stage in life was even real that he was gone.

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Active Minds

MARCH 18, 2025

Authored by Active Minds. Drexel University’s chapter shines as our latest Chapter of the Month for their proactive and creative approach to mental wellness and fostering community! Their recently launched “Motivation Monday” series on Instagram delivers regular encouragement and mental health tips, fostering a supportive digital community.

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Active Minds

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Authored by Active Minds. Creighton University is recognized as Chapter of the Month for outstanding advocacy work promoting mental health accessibility and awareness on campus. Their efforts range from text-based booking for counseling appointments to hosting lectures and events about approaching mental health holistically. Creighton University’s dedication to breaking down barriers and making mental health care easier to access is aspirational.

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Active Minds

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Authored by Rae James. Black History Month is a special time to reflect on the past, present, and future accomplishments of Black Americans and individuals in the diaspora. It is also a time (as it should be year-round) to uplift the voices and words of the next generation, something that often gets overlooked. Reflecting on my journey, I realized that speaking up and using my voice were actions I had never considered.

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Active Minds

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Authored by Elena Smith. The Emerging Scholar Fellowship , generously supported by the Scattergood Foundation for Behavioral Health and Macys , is a unique opportunity for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color (BIPOC) to work on their own groundbreaking mental health-related independent research. Active Minds is proud to facilitate change by supporting our fellows through funding, mentorship, and amplification.

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Active Minds

JANUARY 29, 2025

Authored by Alicia Elms. The Emerging Scholar Fellowship , generously supported by the Scattergood Foundation for Behavioral Health and Macys , is a unique opportunity for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color (BIPOC) to work on their own groundbreaking mental health-related independent research. Active Minds is proud to facilitate change by supporting our fellows through funding, mentorship, and amplification.

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Active Minds

JANUARY 20, 2025

Authored by Active Minds. Today, the 30th commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, celebrates the legacy of one of historys most transformative leaders and calls on each of us to honor his life through action. Dr. Kings unwavering commitment to civil rights, social justice, and equality reminds us of the profound impact we can have when we come together in service of others.

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Active Minds

JANUARY 2, 2025

Authored by Rae James. So, its that time of the year again January rolls around, and suddenly everyones making resolutions and reflecting on life. But heres the thing: fresh starts dont follow a calendar. Trust me, Ive learned this firsthand. Change doesnt wait for a specific date; it just shows up, usually uninvited, and asks, Are you ready? Spoiler alert: youre rarely ready.

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Active Minds

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Active Minds has had another successful internship semester with the 2024 Fall class, and as this intern cohort finishes up their semester with us, we want to take a moment to reflect on their incredible contributions to mental health advocacy. Throughout the semester, these interns have demonstrated dedication and creativity in promoting mental well-being.

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Active Minds

DECEMBER 6, 2024

Active Minds is a movement, a community, and a testament to what can happen when individuals come together to prioritize mental health. As someone deeply connected to its mission, Active Minds is a part of my identity, my journey as an advocate, and my experiences as a student. Reflecting on the 21 years since Alison Malmon founded the organization, I am reminded of Active Minds continued mission: to change the conversation around mental health.

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to check in. This time of the year — filled with talks of going home to visit family and favorite Thanksgiving foods or traditions — can mean a million different things, depending on who you’re speaking with. Whether you are feeling positive, negative, or something in between at this time of year, we wanted to know how YOU were feeling this season and learn more about the various experiences people have during this tim

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Once a month, Active Minds recognizes a chapter that has demonstrated exemplary work and a strong commitment to mental health advocacy. American Canyon High School has earned the title of Chapter of the Month through its commitment to decreasing mental health stigma through community engagement. This chapter consistently supports their student body, whether they are hosting interactive activities or simply providing a safe space for anyone at school who needs it.

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

Today is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. A day where millions around the world come together to remember those we have lost to suicide. For me, every day is one that I remember and miss my brother, Brian. He was wickedly smart, had an amazing, dry wit, an unexpectedly low bass singing voice, a terrible layup, and was a great friend. He made you laugh, challenged what you knew or thought you knew, and just made you feel good.

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of violence, death, and suicide. Today, November 20th, marks the 25th anniversary of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Initially created in 1999 as a vigil to memorialize Rita Hester and all others lost to anti-transgender violence that year, this day of observance has since evolved into a global movement.

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Have you ever wondered how Active Minds can impact your school or community? Jonathan M. Solomon, a former school psychologist for the Howard County (MD) Public School System, shared his experience with the National Association of School Psychologists. Solomon knows youth mental health is increasingly at risk, and showcases how establishing an Active Minds chapter at his school helped him efficiently run important programming and reach students across an entire district.

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Whether you’re racing in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, NYC, or anywhere in between — Team Active Minds helps you run for a purpose. Those looking to contribute to mental health change can use fitness to add meaning to their miles by partnering with Active Minds while completing marathons, bike rides, and endurance events in their communities. It’s easy to be a part of Team Active Minds , whether you are committing to one of our signature events, joining a local event, or starting your own endura

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Active Minds

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Election results can induce emotions, whether celebratory or stressful. Let’s be real: the results of this week’s presidential election have had an especially heavy impact on many of us and with an uncertain road ahead, we may be juggling intense feelings of stress, regardless of their political beliefs. Going into the presidential election this year, reported levels of stress related to the election were higher than in both 2020 and 2016.

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Active Minds

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Election season often brings heavy political discussions. The constant barrage of political narratives, whether in debates, news outlets, social media, or even around the dinner table, can take a significant toll on your mental health. As an immigrant with a large immigrant family, I find dinner conversations especially frustrating. My family’s values differ from mine at times, and navigating political discussions can feel like a balancing act — respecting my parents’ values and pers

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Active Minds

OCTOBER 28, 2024

To undergo the painful process of self-reflection regarding an eating disorder, and then follow that up with the gut-wrenching vulnerability of asking for help, is a process that should only be met with a simple answer: let’s get you the help you need. However, the unfortunate reality is that, for many people, this terrifying request only brings more questions.

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Active Minds

OCTOBER 10, 2024

From the advisors (school counselors): Kaitlyn Robichaud and Courtney Selig This blog was written by Whitman-Hanson Regional High School’s Active Minds advisors about their experience supporting student-led efforts to advance mental health in their community. This is the second of two pieces sharing the story of these students’ advocacy. To read about this journey/story from the perspective of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School students, click here.

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Active Minds

OCTOBER 2, 2024

From the students (officers): Aliyah Chapman, Liz Kowlski, Rylee McTernan, Morin Yacoub, and Maren Bowmen After losing our friend Ava to suicide, we didn’t know what to do. We lost her at the end of the 2023 school year and it was a hard summer trying to make sense of everything. We thought about the “new normal” we would face as we navigated the next school year without her.

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Active Minds

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

It’s never too early to start planning for your future. As you return to school looking forward to charting a new year, it’s important to consider how your actions today inform your path tomorrow. This new season is the perfect time to start thinking about your career and plans for the future. Many of you already have a solid plan, while others are still creating yours.

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Active Minds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

As a former educator on the south side of Chicago, I know firsthand the excitement and challenges of launching a new school year. The start of the school year sets the tone for what’s to come. We plan everything—the schedules, the curricula, the safety drills—but too often, mental health programming gets overlooked. And in today’s climate, that’s a mistake we can’t afford to make.

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Active Minds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

The Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy (Academy) is a leadership development and mental health advocacy program that equips BIPOC and LGBTQ+ high school students to address mental health-related issues and affect change in their schools, communities, and states. Recently, four alumni from the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy told us about their experiences and what they learned from the program as well as how they are leading mental health change in their schools and communities.

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Active Minds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

Understanding Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Suicide Prevention Awareness Month takes place every September and is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide so that together we can take action and save lives. Every year 726,000 people die by suicide. Youth mental health continues to be one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with the U.S.

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Active Minds

AUGUST 28, 2024

Are you a college student who sometimes feels overwhelmed by the pressures of academic life? Are you struggling to manage stress and find the support you need on campus? Look no further! Active Minds and First Aid Beauty have partnered to engage college students like you to share your voices and impact your communities today, and for years to come. If you’re feeling the stress of school and personal life, we want to help.

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Active Minds

AUGUST 20, 2024

Did you know that nearly half of all adolescents in the United States have experienced a mental health disorder at some point in their lives? That’s a staggering statistic, and highlights the importance of a recent development in the U.S. Senate. Last month, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 769 (S.R. 769), a groundbreaking declaration of the youth mental health crisis in the United States.

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Active Minds

AUGUST 14, 2024

It is officially the start of the new school year in our home. For me, the last few days have been packed with back-school-shopping for my new middle schooler, orchestra supplies, theater fundraisers, and monitoring my own mental health as a single parent during this time. For you, though, I imagine the back-to-school transition is exciting and kind of terrifying.

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Active Minds

AUGUST 6, 2024

As the curtains close on the 2024 Active Minds Mental Health Conference, we find ourselves reflecting not only on the inspiring conversations and thought-provoking ideas shared over the weekend but also on the palpable energy that filled every session. From keynotes that uplifted the voices of Gen Z and allies, to interactive workshops, this year’s conference brought together passionate students, advocates, and experts, all with lived experiences in a collective mission to reshape the conversat

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Active Minds

JULY 29, 2024

Conferences are amazing opportunities to learn, network, and get inspired. But let’s face it: they can also be overwhelming. With packed schedules, endless information, and the constant buzz of activity, it’s easy to forget about yourself. That’s why self-care is essential for thriving, not just surviving, a conference. Why Self-Care Matters Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s strategic.

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Active Minds

JULY 16, 2024

Heads up, Active Minds fam! We all know that attending mental health events can be incredibly rewarding. But let’s be honest, sometimes the topics can be triggering. Flashbacks? Anxiety spikes? We’ve all been there. But fear not, because we’re here with a battle plan for self-care to help you navigate those tough moments and ** emerge victorious** from triggering events.

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Active Minds

JULY 16, 2024

Are you a young adult who’s passionate about mental health? Feeling the weight of stress, anxiety, or just the pressure to be “okay”? You’re not alone! Millions of young people just like you are navigating the complexities of life, and sometimes it feels overwhelming. But guess what? There’s a movement happening, and it’s being driven by YOU.

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Active Minds

JULY 9, 2024

Summer is here, but mental health awareness is a year-round mission! At Active Minds , we’re proud of the impact our traveling exhibit, Send Silence Packing (SSP) , has made this year. Sharing Stories, Sparking Hope SSP uses powerful storytelling to educate young adults about mental health. By showcasing backpacks representing lives lost to suicide, the exhibit reminds viewers they’re not alone.

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Active Minds

JULY 1, 2024

Did you know June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as Men’s Mental Health Month or Men’s Health Month? It dates back to 1994, evolving from a bill championed by Kansas Senator Bob Dole. I prefer the term Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month as a man who is still figuring out his own mental health journey. Often, as men, young men, teens, and boys, we are taught to suppress feelings and focus on developing a level of masculinity that continues to be defined by the times in which

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Active Minds

JUNE 25, 2024

“I’m so disappointed in myself” or “I wish I could’ve just done better,” are common things we say to ourselves after a period of perceived failure. Our feelings of sadness, anger, or even regret are completely valid at this time. It’s easy to get tunnel vision and only recognize the bad that comes out of failure, but it’s also important to empathize with yourself.

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