Advocacy & Awareness
Three Actions You Can Take to Support BIPOC Mental Health
Mental health awareness and access to treatment have grown immensely in the past few decades. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021. Slowly but surely, actions are being taken to change the culture around mental health, but to continue we must address the…
How to Advocate for LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults in Rural Communities
I have learned firsthand how difficult it is to be authentically yourself living in an area that simply does not support that. I was born and raised in a typical rural Alabama town. A population of 14,000 created that “everyone knows everyone” atmosphere where anything outside the social norm was hard to hide and typically…
How to Eradicate Mental Health Stigma From Boys to Men
I was very emotional when I was a kid and was so hard on myself for being that way. I needed someone to help me understand my feelings and how they affected me. Instead, I used those emotions against myself, creating a sense of disconnect. Back then, mental health wasn’t always openly discussed when I…
A Young Adult’s Guide to Organizing for Mental Health Policy
Recently, Active Minds shared about the importance of advocacy and policy in championing LGBTQ+ rights and creating a world where everyone feels safe, accepted, and welcome to live authentically. A clear connection exists between ensuring that right and creating a world where mental health is valued and prioritized. That kind of change can’t happen overnight,…
Exploring the Pros and Cons of AI in Mental Health Care
Early detection and accurate diagnosis are critical to effectively treating mental health conditions. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), it is now possible to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and identify symptoms of mental health conditions at an earlier stage. AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of data, including patient history, symptoms, and other…
The Importance of LGBTQ+ Rights in Mental Health Culture
With the golden sun of June upon us, we’re diving into the heart of Pride Month, a time for reflecting on strides made in LGBTQ+ rights, acknowledging persistent barriers, and recommitting ourselves to the path of inclusivity and respect for all. In the spirit of this celebration, we’re taking a stand against book bans and…
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: How to Be There
Editor’s Note: While this blog was originally published on April 30, 2019, the advice on supporting survivors of sexual assault remains true to this day. Additionally, please be advised that this blog does contain mentions of sexual assault and rape. According to RAINN, an American experiences sexual assault every 92 seconds. One in six women…
How to Support LGBTQ+ Young Adults With Silence
The numbers are staggering: it’s been revealed that 82% of LGBTQ+ students reported experiencing first-hand bullying or harassment. The impact of this behavior, coupled with a lack of safe spaces, contributes to LGBTQ+ youth reporting higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Creating inclusive spaces for historically oppressed communities, like individuals who identify as LGBTQ+,…
Why I Advocate for Open Conversations and Culturally-Competent Care
“Log kya kahenge?”, which translates to “What will people say?” is a phrase often explicitly or implicitly brought up in conversation in response to individual actions or words that do not align with the cultural norms of the South Asian community. As a South Asian woman, I have observed that mental health is still viewed…
Gen Z Shares How to Support Mental Health Policy
At Active Minds, we believe policy is key to enacting lasting mental health change – and students play a huge role in facilitating this change. Our new policy platform identifies core policies that we value as an organization and helps us determine what actions to take and legislation to speak out about. Last month, we…
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.