Active Minds

Darrin Ward from University of California-Riverside says:

"I have been involved with Active Minds since the middle of my sophomore year at the University of California- Riverside.  Before Active Minds I had no idea that there was an organization that dealt with issues concerning mental health.  The only outlet for mental health outreach on campus was the school psychologist.  I became involved in the Active Minds organization through a simple mass email sent to students on campus.  I read the email and was instantly hooked.  I went to the first general meeting for Active Minds and listened to people's touching stories of how they had battled suicide, depression, abuse, neglect and other problems associated with mental health.  These stories revealed to me that positive mental health is a concern for everyone no matter their background.  After hearing these stories I felt I needed to take an active role in this organization to help spread mental health awareness on my campus. 

Even in the short time Active Minds has been at UCR I have seen great strides in progress.  Students are becoming informed about mental health through our events such as "Therapy Fluffies" when we brought therapy dogs to campus, "Speed Friending" when we set up a way for people to make friends in a fun, safe environment, and "Denim Day" highlighting the issue of domestic abuse and the connection it has with mental health. The best thing about being part of Active Minds is knowing I'm helping another human being come a step closer to reaching or maintaining positive mental health.  It is so important to reach that hand out to someone when he or she is feeling down or provide an ear so someone's story can be heard.  Active Minds is more than just another student organization- it's a community of people who are dedicated to mental health outreach."