-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
New club promotes awareness of mental health issues
Archive
Comments
Story
The Associated Students of Boise State University recognized a new club dedicated to the awareness of mental health issues Sept. 8.
According to club Vice President Lynsey Gates, Active Minds is the nation’s only peer-to-peer organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health among college students.
“The important part is fighting the stigma related to mental illness,” Chuck Varela, president of the Boise State chapter of Active Minds said. “I feel like there is a need for clubs like this across campuses nationwide.”
Students of any major can join this organization. The only requirement is 3.0 GPA.
“If students have a 3.0, it shows that they are focused enough on their studies,” Gates said. “We want members that will be able to be a part of it, handle it and do stuff.”
Active Minds works closely with Boise State’s counseling services to bring education and awareness to issues like depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. On Oct. 10 they co-sponsored a depression screening in the Student Union Building, where students, staff and faculty could take a test to see if they showed symptoms of depression. They also offered resources to students who they felt could use them.
“Health and Wellness and Counseling Services both offer something different to students and we’re trying to offer something different as well as work with them,” Varela said.
Active Minds doesn’t offer counseling but can give students resources such as contacts for people who can help them. They serve as a liaison and the mental health community and support mental health education.
“This is something worth starting at BSU,” Roxanne Nichols, Active Minds faculty advisor said. “First of all it can help by recognizing that mental illness isn’t something that just other people have … I think we all know someone affected by a mental illness.”
Active Minds was founded in 2001 by Alison Malmon, a college student at the University of Pennsylvania, following the suicide of her older brother. He experienced depression and psychosis for three years but concealed his symptoms from everyone.
Alison recognized that few students at her university were talking about mental health issues, though many were affected. This motivated her to make a change on her campus. After the first year, Active Minds gained enough support to expand onto other campuses.
“I would encourage students if they want to be involved with something to contact us,” Varela said. “Come out and see what it is and be a part of it.”
According to Varela, the club is taking things slow as it gets its foundation set but look forward to becoming more involved in the future. The club will host a social mentor training during spring semester 2009.
According to Secretary Lianna Erickson, this will train students to be social mentors so they can provide peer-to-peer support on issues such as depression, suicide, alcohol and drug use, and eating disorders.
Those interested in joining can e-mail Lynsey at lynseygates@u.boisestate.edu or Varela at albertvarela@u.boisestate.edu. Checkout activeminds.org for more information.
SONIA TREVIZO
Arbiter Journalist
