Active Minds

Laura Faith from Active Minds at Ursinus College says:

" Active Minds has changed my life. In my sophomore year at Ursinus College, interest in starting a chapter emerged. At our first meeting, I volunteered to become the research liaison, and from then on, I was actively involved in helping gain a presence on campus. Even though we did not have a budget, we were recognized as a five star chapter in our first year.

I learned about Active Minds, Inc.'s Emerging Scholars Fellowship program, which funds independent behavioral health research by college-aged scholars, from a fellow Active Minds member. I contacted my advisor, thinking he may have some ideas about starting a new research project related to the stigma of mental illness. We worked out a plan, and he helped me put together my application. Next thing I know, I am talking on the phone with the Program Director of Active Minds; I had been awarded the Emerging Scholars Fellowship to pursue my research on the relationship between students' knowledge of the neurological basis of mental illness and their attitudes towards mental illness.

I had close contact with the Active Minds staff throughout the span of the fellowship. My research has so far found that the implicit bias of mental illness decreases with education, which suggests that there is hope to decrease stigma with education. My confidence in becoming a mental health leader grew tremendously after frequent contact with and encouragement from the Active Minds staff. After participating in the Emerging Scholars Fellowship, I felt as though I could reach the stars.

As I approach my senior year at Ursinus College, I will continue my research that began with the Emerging Scholars Fellowship. Although I will present my senior thesis preceding graduation, I expect this project will continue with other underclassmen who have gotten involved with the research. At the end of my junior year, I was promoted from Research Liaison to Co-President of our chapter of Active Minds at Ursinus. I look forward to recruiting new members and promoting enthusiasm for mental health awareness and advocacy. Active Minds has been a huge inspiration to me, and I will continue to reduce the stigma of mental illness as I pursue my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. I look forward to my life of research, service, and advocacy."