Who are the officers of your Active Minds chapter?
Coordinator
Ashley Brueske
"Over the years, I have realized
that the concepts of both mental illness and mental health have been stigmatized
through whispers and silence. As someone who hopes to be a psychologist
someday, I have always found this both saddening and frustrating.
According to its description, Active Minds aims to "change the conversation
about mental health" by extending the opportunity for all of us, in one form or
another, to have a voice regarding mental illness and health, and to impress
that both sides of the coin are important and real. Though I know this
will not be an over-night process, I am passionate about being a part of this
conversation as an officer of Active Minds, and having this conversation with
fellow members and the broader community. Whether we talk, sing, write, or
paint, we all have some experience with mental illness and mental health, and I
think it is both important and exciting to be a part of creating a free and open
space to exchange ideas and experiences in order to continue to shed light on
the existence of mental illness, and to inspire hope by discussing ways to
achieve mental health. We can do neither by staying silent, so I am
excited for the opportunity to be one small part of this great and
ever-broadening conversation. No one should feel that he or she has to be
alone."Vice Coordinator
Shirley Zhao
As a senior majoring in biology and minoring in
psychology, I hope to become a psychiatrist in the future to promote both mental
and physical health. I feel mental health is an important aspect of our overall
well-being, and mental health problems can be just as detrimental to the body as
physiological illnesses. However because there is so much stigma surrounding the
acknowledgment and treatment of mental problems, they are often overlooked and
not taken seriously by peers and health professionals. I think it's necessary
that mental health issues become more openly discussed in our society, so people
are not ashamed or embarrassed seek help. Active Minds is such a great group for
all students, because it's not only a place where anyone can discuss and learn
about mental health issues, but it's also a place where students can turn to for
support and resources for their own struggles. By raising awareness of the
significance of mental well-being and removing stigmas surrounding mental health
problems, I hope one day mental illnesses can be as commonplace in research and
treatment as cancer or Alzheimer's.Secretary
Angela Bohrer
"As a graduate student in Early
Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education, I hope that the children I
will teach one day are able to talk openly and honestly about mental
health. Too many of us are raised in environments where we never talk
about mental health because of lack of knowledge or the stigmas
surrounding it. I think Active Minds is so important because every
college student should know that there are places and people to turn to
when you are having a hard time. Mental health issues are real and
important. No one should be afraid to admit they are feeling anxious,
depressed or alone. My hope is that one day mental health issues will
gain as much open discussion and support as cancer or diabetes does
today.I feel that Active Minds, counseling centers and other
organization dealing with mental health issues are essential to college
campuses."Financial and Technical Officer
Will Menzel
"Being a biochemistry major, Active Minds
officer, and human being has given me insight into how mental health and illness postively and
negatively affect our lives. I hope to spread the word that, as with physical
health, we all have strengths, weaknesses, and chronic issues with mental
health. This is nothing to be ashamed of, but instead should be openly discussed
and celebrated, and certainly never be the basis for
discrimination."International Active Minds Diplomat and Officer Abroad (Nellie is spending a semester in France!)
Nellie Brau
"As a major in Global Studies and French, I am passionate
about embracing diverse cultures, ideas, and ways of life. I am also intrigued
that all people can be linked together through human need and a universal quest
for well-being. Different approaches to what creates this well-being have
sparked my interest in mental health and my involvement with Active Minds. I
believe the ability to freely discuss or express the condition of one's own
mental health in a non-prejudice environment will lead to an unparalleled
awareness of self. Ultimately, this knowledge will provide resources for
obtaining personal well-being. My goal for Active Minds is to encourage a sense
of community to nourish those on the path to self discovery. And at the
University level, I have recognized that many of us are here not only for an
education, but to enhance the depth of our personal journey as
well.Post-Undergraduate Advisor and Alumna
Kyla Steinmeyer
"I graduated from the University in May of 2009 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Family Violence Prevention. Even though nearly all of my classes discussed the symptoms of mental health disorders, the stigma surrounding mental illness was rarely discussed in my courses. What I love about Active Minds is that we offer a place for students to both learn about different psychological problems AND allow students to witness others talking about these problems in an open environment on campus. My goal for Active Minds is to get the message out to students and the community that mental health problems are just as prevalent, serious, and important as physical illnesses. I also hope to be able to spread the word about resources available on campus for students who may be struggling. I hope that by coming to our meetings, students learn about a problem that they or someone they know may be facing, and are able to do something about it. Mental health is a big issue that, in my opinion, does
not receive the attention that it deserves. I think Active Minds is a great way
to help change this environment."Meet Our Advisors!
Active Minds is very fortunate to have two devoted and talented advisors. Read about them below.
Cynthia Fuller, PhD, LP
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University Counseling and Consulting Services"I am a psychologist, and in the counseling center I work with students to address a variety of issues that interfere with their academic goals. However, when students are struggling with mental health problems, it can be a particularly difficult time to seek needed services. This is where Active Minds plays an important role: they provide information about services to students, and also de-stigmatize talking about mental health issues. The energy and creativity of the students involved in Active Minds is exciting, and the fact that they talk openly about mental health issues inspires others. I believe the students in this organization are doing work that mental health professionals simply cannot do as effectively. So, it gives me real pleasure to co-advise this group with Jerie Smith.Active Minds is engaged in changing the culture of this institution, one conversation at a time."
Jerie Smith - The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education
I have the joy to have several great positions all rolled into one. My primary position is as the Volunteer Coordinator at The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education. We work with victims of sexual assault and relationship violence and do education in classrooms, residence halls...anywhere someone asks us to spread the word that helps to make this community a safer place. Through Housing and Residential Life I workwith the Social Justice Leadership Retreat and with University Counseling and Consulting Services, the Stamp Out Stigma (of mental illness) Campaign. All three areas require awareness of the importance of good mental health. My own family and friendship circles include many whose lives have taught me much about this issue. I echo Cynthia's pleasure in working her and with Active Minds in creative, ambitious, serious and also fun work! They are helping me become an even stronger ally.