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Active Minds is the only organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses.  By developing and supporting chapters of a student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy group on campuses, the organization works to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues, provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness, encourage students to seek help as soon as it is needed, and serve as liaison between students and the mental health community. 

Active Minds was founded by Allie's cousin Alison in 2001 following the suicide of her older brother, Brian.  As a college student Brian had been experiencing depression and psychosis but had concealed his symptoms from everyone around him.  Brian ended his life when Alison was wrapping up her freshman year at Penn.  

At Penn, Alison recognized that few of her fellow students were talking about mental health issues though many were affected. Motivated to change that culture on her campus, Alison started a student group to combat the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage students who needed help to seek it early.  Upon graduating in 2003, Alison turned the student group into a 501(c)3.  In just over eight years, the organization now has 340 campus chapters and reaches hundreds of thousands of young adults across the country.

We are inspired by Alison's dedication to mental health awareness and her ability to channel her tragic loss into a force for good in the world.  As the founding executive director of Active Minds, she built and leads an organization that is now respected as the voice of student mental health advocacy nationwide.  Please consider supporting Active Minds with a donation --- every gift helps Active Minds achieve its vision of destigmatizing mental health disorders and creating a better life for all who suffer. 

Learn More at : http://www.activeminds.org/