Active Minds is the leading national nonprofit organization working to engage the student voice to change the conversation about mental health.
“Through a rapidly growing network of more than 400 student-led chapters at colleges and universities, Active Minds is providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation,” Maggie Bertram said. “Powerful national programming and campus-wide events create a comfortable environment for open conversations about mental health throughout the nation.”
Bertram creates, maintains, and evaluates most of the programming, where she helps with the chapters and leadership trainings that run on campuses. Active Minds is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
“I am also a speaker and trainer for the Active Minds Speakers Bureau,” Bertram said.
Mental health is a topic that is discussed frequently in today’s day in age. Many people struggle with anxiety, depression and even certain disorders while engaging in this topic. Having an organization on campus such as Active Minds is encouraging and empowering to those students who may be afraid to always speak out. They will be surrounded by others who share the same concerns and needs.
The conversation would be based on how to make a change, what could potentially improve and how can people collectively become involved with the Active Minds community. Students within the network also inspire one another to take a stance on the matter, as well.
The goal of Active Minds is to enable students to openly discuss mental health issues in order for others to be aware. Having others educated about Active Minds allows them to have a more sincere concern regarding the topic.
Active Minds also approaches student mental health and ensures they will get the help that is needed before the situation becomes even more severe. They are aiming towards educating peers about the illness itself, along with different symptoms that may occur. Others should reach out when needed. Reaching out is also a part of being an ‘active mind.’ Students can eventually understand how to help themselves during serious circumstances.
Those in charge of Active Minds have the abilities to reach the entire campus. Word of mouth is what gets people’s attention. Student leaders engage others regularly by different meetings, conversation, hand-outs and by their delivery. The objective is to enforce awareness about mental health and promote clinical services on campus and throughout the whole community.
