The Madison College Chapter of Active Minds is a peer-led club dedicated to raising mental health awareness and hosting mental health workshops, group activities, education and conversions and well-being. The first meeting will take place on November 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Truax room C2426.
The meeting will focus on self-care, with participants filling a jar with self-care ideas. Additionally, members will plan future events and share ways to get involved. You do not need to be a member to attend.
Formed through the collaboration of Phi Theta Kappa and Dr. Tim Casper, executive vice president of student affairs, the club was established to create a community of peers guiding each other to confront difficult issues.
Director of Student Life Renne Alfano and Project and Process Coordinator Marty Crabbs serve as advisors to the club.
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The objectives of Active Minds are threefold:
Personal development. It provides personal and professional development training opportunities to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
Reduce stigma. It aims to reduce prejudice related to the use of mental health resources.
Promote awareness. It promotes awareness of mental health and wellness resources for students.
Some of our meetings will include:
- Yoga
- Group skills presentations
- Suicide Prevention Programs
- Mindfulness and breathing mediation workshops
- Group events, especially outdoors
- Seminars on mental health topics
- Journaling Prompts
- Reading club or fun challenges
- Professional speakers or lecturers
- Resource awareness campaigns.
Club members are proud of their community of student peers committed to promoting positive mental health and well-being.
“Mental health is a major problem. It’s part of everything. For me, it’s essential to talk about it and not keep things hanging,” said Barbara Bahr, president of Active Minds. “And help each other, because if you’re struggling with mental health, you’re struggling for yourself and (you need to) get the help you need.”
Bahr said the club’s programs also include suicide awareness and destigmatization of seeking help.
While Madison College has abundant resources such as mental health counseling and Better Minds, Active Minds sees itself as students helping students.
“Active Minds found that students are more likely to contact another student before contacting an advisor,” Bahr said.
She said students don’t need to struggle alone and can ask for help.
“Sometimes we all need help. So helping to raise awareness about Madison College and making it something we can talk about freely. How cool would that be?’” Bahr said.
