Holidays & Observances
Let Girls Be Girls: Navigating the Maze of Girls’ Mental Health
There seems to be a pop culture shift happening. The word “girl” has gone from once being used as a schoolyard insult to an everyday compliment with phrases like “That’s so girl,” its own budgeting strategy with “girl math,” an exercise with “hot girl walks,” and even 2023 being marked as the “Year of the…
You Can Restart Anytime: Expectations of New Year’s Resolutions vs. Reality
The new year brings intentions of resetting, creating goals, and making the most of this fresh start. Often, we find ourselves adopting new habits, exploring unfamiliar routines, and working towards the “best” version of ourselves. However, this exciting time of renewal and change can often come with heightened expectations. It’s easy to get consumed with…
Improving Your Mental Wellness: Where to Start
The clinical definition of well-being comprises four components: the individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the everyday stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community. Simple, right? If only. In my one and half years as a college student, I have learned the importance of stress management, which…
Handling Mental Health Conversations With Family During the Holidays
The holiday season can bring us so much cheer and emotional wealth, including the opportunity to reunite with family and loved ones. As we adjust to a new routine and, at times, a new environment around the holidays, it can also be difficult to navigate the mental health challenges we may be facing or bringing…
Three Ways to Support Transgender People’s Mental Health During Difficult Times
As a transgender man, Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day that’s near and dear to my heart. For most transgender and gender non-conforming youth, it is one of the ways we honor our elders, peers, and history, even if we cannot come out. In 2023, we are honoring the 19 transgender and non-binary siblings…
Mental Health in Schools: How to Support Students AND Educators
As an educator in the classroom and a former principal on the South Side of Chicago, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that students and staff alike face. American Education Week provides a crucial opportunity to shed light on an issue that continues to be ignored: the need to support the mental health of both students…
Commemorating and Advocating for Veterans’ Mental Health
As we approach another Veterans Day, I find myself reflecting on the commitment we owe to our military personnel and veterans. Working as the policy manager at Active Minds, the importance of mental health advocacy is prominent, especially for those who’ve served our nation. Two transformative policies that have the power to greatly support veterans’…
How Humanities and STEM Students Alike Can Better Manage Stress
College is not easy. This fall, I began my sophomore year at Union College, and it is definitely much more challenging than the previous year, especially since I have all upper-level classes this term, two of them being biology classes and one other intensive political science class. Though students often jokingly debate which is more…
How to Take Action on Vote Early Day for Mental Health
Voting forms the bedrock of our democracy, carrying substantial weight in shaping the policies and societal issues that will be addressed during campaigns and highlighted in the laws put into action in your state. In the 2023 election cycle, voters wield influence over a wide range of positions, including gubernatorial candidates (governors), state legislatures, state…
Tips to Overcome “Coming Out” Anxiety From Someone Who Did
Three years ago, I came out as a lesbian. Spoiler alert — that is no longer the label I identify with. And that’s okay. But for a long time, I didn’t think it was okay. And that fear of “misidentifying,” of coming out and then changing my mind, of just being what I perceived as…
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.