Everybody is impacted by mental health in some way, whether they struggle themselves or know somebody who does. Discussions about mental health have become more common in society, especially among younger generations.
The Active Minds organization on UW-Whitewater’s campus seeks to continue said discussions about mental health and provide resources to those who are struggling.
Amber Borrmann, the organization’s president, expressed the importance of having an organization such as Active Minds on college campuses.
“Suicide and mental health issues are really prevalent, especially in college students,” Borrmann said. “It’s really important that we spread the message that nobody’s alone and make sure that people know that there are resources for them on campus.”
Active Minds member Kendra Dutcher added that every meeting covers a different aspect of mental health and that the organization aims to show people that they are not alone in their struggles.
“In the meetings each week, we have a different topic or different area of mental health issues that we cover,” Dutcher said. “We talk about statistics and coping skills and how people can either help friends who struggle or how they can learn to help themselves with their struggles.”
Active Minds also hosts campus and community events to raise money and spread awareness. One such event was the Out of the Darkness Walk, which was held on April 5. This event was held in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
The Out of the Darkness Walk is an annual event that occurs on the UW-W campus. The AFSP also hosts walks at other college campuses and communities. Borrmann believes the walk is an effective way to spread Active Minds’ message.
“A lot of people have been impacted by suicide, whether it be their own struggles or losing somebody to suicide,” Borrmann said. “It’s just a really great way to bring the community together. It gets a lot of people involved and raises awareness.”
Dutcher echoed Borrmann’s sentiment about the walk’s effectiveness on the UW-W community.
“I know for me especially, it has given me a community,” Dutcher said. “I can look forward to trying to understand how to better not only help myself, but also how to better help other people. I do think it has a really good positive effect surrounding mental health.”
Borrmann stated that suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people and college students while emphasizing that a lot of people stay silent when they are struggling.
“It’s really important that we continue to offer that help and destigmatize mental health so that people aren’t scared to ask for it when they need it,” Borrmann said.
Dutcher expressed her hope that this year’s participants will come together to reduce the stigma and better understand those who are struggling with their mental health.
“I hope that it helps a lot of people understand that nobody is truly alone,” Dutcher said. “I think it’s going to help make people realize that it is something that needs to be advocated for.”
