Mental Illness Awareness Comes to Elmhurst

Active Minds at Elmhurst College is making history this year on their campus. The recently formed student-led chapter of the national non-profit organization, Active Minds, is quickly picking up speed. This organization aims to change the conversation on mental health. What exactly does that mean? How is that possible? What role do students and community members play in this movement? Well first, Active Minds need to start the conversation.

As President of this organization, I believe that We need to get students talking about mental illness. We need to raise awareness on our campus which will eventually lead to change in the community. Active Minds at Elmhurst College wants students, faculty, staff, and anyone else on this campus to know our campus is not only a safe place to openly discuss mental illness, but that we are an educated and aware population.

Some of the ways in which Active Minds hopes to achieve this vision is through educational and interactive programming, awareness campaigns, building strong participation among the students, and fundraising for mental illness-related causes. To kick off the year, they are bringing in professional mental health speaker, Mike Veny, to present "Transforming Stigma into Strength."

Veny is an accomplished drummer, speaker and mental health stigma expert. He has spoken around the country on various issues relating to mental health.

This event will be in celebration of National Day without Stigma, On October 5th, 2015. All are welcome at the event at 4:30 PM in Founders Lounge at Elmhurst College, 190 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126.