Online Webinar August 14, 2012 2:00-3:00pm EST Bring Active Minds to YOUR campus: A Step-by-Step Guide Rachael Datz Regional Chapter Manager Active Minds, Inc. 2001 S Street NW, Suite 450 Washington, DC 20009 * 202-332-9595 * www.activeminds.org
HBCU Center for Excellence Through a Cooperative Agreement with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, (CSAT) and Center for Mental Health Services, (CMHS) Morehouse School of Medicine established the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Center for Ex cellence in Behavioral Health (HBCU-CFE), funded as Grant No. TI023447.
Promote student behavioral health to positively impact student retention Expand campus service capacity, including the provision of culturally appropriate behavioral health resources Facilitate best practices dissemination and behavioral health workforce development
Why is mental health important? 67% of students who have suicidal thoughts tell a friend before anyone else. Half of students who have suicidal thoughts never seek counseling or treatment. Only 50% of the Black adolescents who attempted suicide reported ever receiving a previous mental health diagnosis by the time of the reported attempt.
About Active Minds, Inc. Non-profit organization founded in 2001 by Alison Malmon at the University of Pennsylvania after the suicide of her brother Brian the year before Currently we have 329 student-run chapters in 46 states, 8 of them are HBCUs members! National office is based in Washington, DC
Mission Empower the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses
Goals Increase students' awareness of mental health issues Promote a dialogue around mental health Remove the stigma that surrounds mental health disorders Create campuses where students feel encouraged to speak up about mental health Increase help-seeking behaviors Help create a national movement for college student mental health
Our Chapter Network What is an Active Minds chapter? Student group on campus, also registered with our national network Typical student group structure: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, etc. Host programming, events and activities to promote mental health awareness, education and advocacy
Our Chapter Network What is an Active Minds chapter continued Active Minds chapters are: A liason between students, college administrators, and the mental health provider community both on and off campus A referral service directing students to the school s counseling services Open to all students! Active Minds chapters are NOT: Peer support groups Students providing clinical services/advice Meant only for students with a diagnosed mental health disorder
Why start a chapter? What does Active Minds, Inc. provide? Free educational resources about mental health, giveaways, and engaging information for students to table with and educate their campus community. Free program material kits for all of our campus-based, national programs Full-time staff (Regional Chapter Managers) dedicated to each chapter in our network answering questions, helping troubleshoot, and providing ideas
Why start a chapter? What does Active Minds, Inc. provide? (cont d) - National Conference every year for over 500 students, advisors, and mental health professionals to meet, network, share ideas and learn from one another - Partner with other organizations in the field to provide our students with as many opportunities and resources as possible - Connect chapters and students to one another (regionally)
Chapter Examples: #1: Active Minds at NCA&T Stomp out the Stigma In celebration of Active Minds National Day Without Stigma, Active Minds at North Carolina A&T put on Stomp Out Stigma events that included a live step show. They tabled and collaborated with Greek Life as step performers to bring attention to the tables. Members used materials provided by Active Minds and the campus counseling center to engage students in conversation's about the stigma associated with mental health.
Chapter Examples: #2: Active Minds at FAMU Book Club Event Active Minds at FAMU participated in collaboration with the campus Women's Center for a book club event. The group had the honor of reading a book called Shifting, an African American Women's Voice Project. The group discussed the lives of everyday African American women. Many of the attending students appreciated the selection of the book, and it really had a positive emotional and educational impact.
Chapter Examples: #3: Active Minds at Howard University No More Secrets Worked closely with the suicide prevention group on campus to put on No More Secrets, a variety show event incorporating dance, music, spoken word, hip hop, and poetry in order to raise awareness of student suicide and the importance of reaching out for help.
Promotional Flyer for No More Secrets @ Howard University
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Registration Process: In order to become a part of the Active Minds network, interested students need to follow a process to officially register as a chapter of Active Minds.
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Step 1: Fill out a start a chapter form www.activeminds.org/startachapter
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Your Regional Chapter Manager will respond with directions and registration materials within the week!
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Step 2: Registration Materials: 3 easy forms!
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Form #1: Letter or Email -From Student Government or Student Activities -Proof of your approval as a student group on campus -This should be done as early as possible, since the process of becoming a student group can be lengthy (depending on your campus)
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Form #2: Chapter Constitution -Template document -Fill-in-the-blank with name of school -Signed and dated by student leaders
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Form #3: Registration Form -Contact information -4 student leaders -1 faculty/staff advisor
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Step 3: Send in the 3 forms to Active Minds either by email, fax or mail
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Step 4: Receive your Welcome to Active Minds email from your Regional Chapter Manager (You are official!)
Starting a Chapter of Active Minds Step 5: Participate in a New Chapter Webinar to learn everything you need to know in order to get started!
Come to our Next Event: Send Silence Packing South Tour October November 2012 Stops at Howard U and FAMU Please visit our Send Silence Packing blog at www.sendsilencepacking.org
Come to our Next Event: Active Minds 9 th Annual Mental Health on Campus Conference When: November 9 th -11 th, 2012 Where: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL Please visit our Conference page at www.activeminds.org/conference.
Questions?
Contact Us! Have questions about today s presentation or interested in starting a chapter? Don t hesitate to be in touch! Find us online: www.activeminds.org Email the Chapters Team: chapters@activeminds.org Call us: 202-332-9595 Stop by the office if you are in Washington - we are at 2001 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009.
HBUC-Center for Excellence at Morehouse School of Medicine 720 Westview Dr. SW - Atlanta, GA 30310-1495 Office: 1.866.988.HBCU (4228) Email: HBCU_CFE@msm.edu or jtrent@msm.edu Visit www.hbcucfe.net