Active Minds

If there's one thing college students can agree on, it's that college is stressful! When everything, from school to relationships, becomes too much to handle, it is typical of us to ignore our problems, and end up with even more stress than before. SUNY Old Westbury's newly formed Active Minds chapter seeks to help stressed out students cope with the problems of college.

     Active Minds is a nationally recognized organization that not only seeks to relieve college student stress, but change stigma and the negative beliefs about mental health issues. Samantha Quinn, President of Old Westbury's Active Minds chapter, says this up and coming club is "a way to help students feel more comfortable talking about issues that are common yet stigmatized," and raise awareness for mental health. The Active Minds official website also states that they strive to "provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness," with the idea of encouraging "students to seek help as soon as it is needed."

     Active Minds participates in the awareness of countless mental health issues, such as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in February, and National Stress Out Day in April, a "pre-finals stress reliever" with various fun activities. Active Minds is also planning a "Love My Life" event in the near future, where the ultimate goal is to create a community of students through expression of what they love about themselves.

     There are many more ideas Active Minds would like to present, but they need your help! Active Minds is looking for new members to help put forward exciting events that raise awareness for mental health. Meetings are held biweekly on Thursdays at 4:00PM in the Student Union, Room 210, so come down and check it out! You can also contact Active Minds via e-mail, at activemindsow@gmail.com for more information on meetings and events.