Creating a Grassroots Student Mental Health Advocacy Group – “Active Minds”
Increasing numbers of campuses are creating grassroots advocacy groups such as Active Minds to promote mental health and prevent suicide. Active Minds is a nonprofit organization that serves as the young adult voice in mental health advocacy on over one hundred college campuses nationwide. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Active Minds, Inc. is a nonprofit that develops and supports student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy chapters on college campuses across the country. Each student group’s mission is to:
- Increase awareness of mental health issues;
- Provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness;
- Encourage students to seek help as soon as it is needed;
- Serve as liaison between students and the mental health community;
- Plan fun and educational events that encourage discussion among peers about issues of mental health;
- Become part of the national fight against the stigma that surrounds mental health disorders
The four basic tenants of mental health grassroots advocacy are (adapted from Active Minds):
- Work to reduce the barriers that prevent mental health. We fear what we do not understand. The fact that people do not, and cannot, talk comfortably and openly about mental health issues causes ignorance and misunderstanding. Mental health advocates break down that wall of silence and promote mental health.
- Educate students about the prevalence of mental health disorders; the risks, signs and symptoms of particular disorders; and available resources for seeking help. Early help-seeking means a greater likelihood of recovery. By educating students about the prevalence and warning signs of mental health disorders, and the fact that many disorders first present themselves within the age cohort of 15- 24, Mental health advocates encourage their peers to consider their mental health and seek help as soon as help is needed.
- Help young adults interact with those living with a mental health disorder. By putting a face on mental illness, and showing students that we are all affected, Mental health advocates normalize mental health disorders and break down the misconception that “the mentally ill” are only the people seen in the movies or on the streets. Our peers, and others we highly respect, may be diagnosed with a mental health disorder, but they are able to live full lives with their diagnosis.
- Plan campus-friendly events that attract as much of the school community as possible.
The goal of Mental Health Advocacy is to reach all members of the community. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans suffer from a mental health disorder at any given time – which means that essentially everyone on campus is somehow affected.
If you are interested in starting a new chapter, contact the Active Minds Headquarters and they will mail you a Toolkit of information that details all of the above tenets and gives you specific information as to how to plan the sample events.
General Information
info@activeminds.org Telephone: (202) 332-9595
Fax: (202) 332-9599
Address: 2647Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 200, Washington, DC 20008