Mental Health in Schools
Strategies for Creating Equitable Mental Health Cultures in Higher Education
“You can’t afford to not pay attention to what’s going on with student mental health.” That sentiment has inspired Active Minds’ work for nearly two decades, including the recent release of our report “Lessons from Black Colleges on Mental Health and Wellbeing.” Created by Active Minds and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), this report…
Bringing Mental Health to Middle Schools (And to the Fairway)
When Active Minds received a three-year $3 million grant last year from United Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Optum, our team could not have imagined the impact that this partnership would have on the growth of our community. We are proud to announce that thanks to their support, we are bringing our proven peer-to-peer…
How to Get Involved in Mental Health Advocacy As a High School Student
Are you a high school student looking to become more involved in mental health advocacy in your community? Chances are, if you’re reading this, you fit this description or know someone who does. Well, allow me to tell you some amazing news: the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy is gearing up to take on…
Biden Administration Reaffirms Commitment to Mental Health – What This Means for Young Adults
This year, the Biden administration reaffirmed its commitment to the Unity Agenda, announced during the 2022 State of the Union, which includes a heavy emphasis on tackling the mental health crisis. The Unity Agenda includes three objectives related to supporting mental health: creating healthy environments, strengthening system capacity, and connecting more Americans to care. While…
School Counselors’ Crucial Role in Student Mental Health
It’s no surprise that school counselors play an important role in supporting student mental health, well-being, and academic success in K-12 schools. They are the people most engaged in programs and activities that help students develop healthy goals, mindsets, and behaviors. They are making a difference in the daily lives of our K-12 students and…
The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health, From a K-8 Expert
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” A common phrase often used to imply that the words people say to us don’t, or shouldn’t, have an impact on us. But let’s be honest: especially when it comes to the impact of bullying on mental health, we know that this…
Preventing Academic Burnout as a Medical Student
Medical school is a very exciting yet challenging time, with each year revealing different challenges. For example, first-year students often struggle with coping with work demands and adjusting to study habits. Second-year students find themselves stressing about the first part of the national board exam and juggling classes and clinic rotations. Third-year students are faced…
You’re a Human Being, Not a Human Studying: Five Self-Care Tips for Finals Week
Finals season is upon us. It’s an especially stressful time of year for students as we navigate through exams and papers to the end of the semester. As a senior in college, I know what it’s like to struggle to stay above water during finals, COVID-19 and all. Over the years, I’ve learned to put…
Three Tips for Navigating School with Mental Health-Related Disabilities
No student wants to struggle in school, yet many do, most of the time at no fault of their own. Different diagnoses, conditions, and disabilities, both mental health-related and physical, can strain a student’s ability to succeed in an educational setting. Everyday tasks such as keeping up with the workload, understanding content, and staying productive…
Three Ways You Can Center Mental Health in Your School
With increasing urgency over the last few years, educators, school administrators, and even researchers have taken a deeper dive into what equity and inclusion truly looks like within the education system, specifically as it relates to the creation of school policies, initiatives, and programs that take place at the district level and within the walls…