Active Minds UMass Chapter

11/08/2020

Hey Active Minds!!!! Last Thursday we had a meeting about how to reach out for help from friends, family members, therapists, psychiatrists, etc. when you are struggling mentally.

If you are looking for a therapist, Psychologytoday.com/us is a GREAT place to start, along with CCPH, CWC or requesting a list of providers from your insurance company!! The first step to finding a new therapist is sending them an email. So, we made an email template for you!!! Copy and paste this in, fill in your name, insurance, contact info etc. and you're good to go!! Here's to getting help and bettering ourselves through therapy!!

ACTIVE MINDS THERAPIST EMAIL TEMPLATE: (feel free to share with family and friends!)

Dear [insert therapist’s professional name ex. Dr. ___, Ms. ___, Mr. ___],

My name is [insert full name] and I am reaching out in hopes of scheduling a therapy appointment with you. I am currently a [insert profession/student] in/at [insert school or location] and am seeking out therapy to help me [insert reason for starting therapy**]. I [inserted “have” or “have not”] been in therapy before but am looking forward to starting [insert with a new therapist].

I was wondering if you are accepting new patients at this time, and if you would be able to schedule me in sometime in the near future. My health insurance is [insert health insurance company ex. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, etc.]. I am available [insert method aka “in-person,” “via telephone number,” “via Zoom,” etc.], so feel free to call me at [insert telephone number if you are comfortable with getting a call]. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,
[insert full name]

** Examples for reasons for starting therapy: write whatever you wish here, without going into too much detail, just provide a quick explanation of why you are seeking out therapy
“to…”
Improve my mental health;
Help me through a tough time;
Deal with anxiety/depression/bipolar disorder/OCD/etc.;
Deal with some past trauma;
Mourn the death of a close friend or family member;
Practice self-care;
Improve my well-being;
Talk through issues I’m having with a friend or family member;
Help me with my eating disorder;

10/01/2020

Mixers and Mixed Signals: Part Culture and Its' Effects on our Body Image is TONIGHT at 7PM! We hope to see you there! Check your email for the zoom link 😊

09/24/2020

Northeast NEDA Walk: UMass Active Minds - NEDAWalk

Use this link: http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR/NEDAWalk/General?pg=team&fr_id=4755&team_id=43731
to sign up for the virtual NEDA walk happening on October 4th! We hope to see you there, they have a really exciting line-up for speakers this year :)

NEDA Walk

09/22/2020

Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org

Hey Active Minds! Today is National Voter Registration Day! Let’s make sure that our voices are heard ❤️ go to vote.org in order to register, check your registration, sign up to become a poll worker, find your polling place and so much more. Part of ending stigma surrounding mental health is ensuring that the mental health community is vocal, active, and listened to. This is one great way to work towards our goals.

Register to vote. Check your registration status. Get your absentee ballot. Fast, free, easy, secure, nonpartisan.

09/13/2020

Northeast NEDA Walk: UMass Active Minds - NEDAWalk

The virtual NEDA Walk will take place on October 4th from 11 AM - 12:30 AM. Use this link to sign up for our UMass Active Minds Team! 😊http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR/NEDAWalk/General?pg=team&fr_id=4755&team_id=43731

NEDA Walk

09/05/2020

Active Minds UMass Chapter's cover photo

09/03/2020

If you’re struggling with depression right now, you are not alone ❤️ stay tuned for our first Active Mind meeting!! We miss you all

Please take time to read.

04/29/2020

Hi Active Minds 😊 we miss you all a whole lot. Remember to do what is right for your mental heath right now ❤️

02/17/2020

Hey Active Minds! This is a reminder that we will NOT be having a general body meeting this week. We will miss all of you but will see you at our next meeting on Wednesday February 26th!! Have a great week 🥰

11/13/2019

HI ALL! Just a reminder that Open Mic is TOMORROW from 7:30PM-9PM in Bartlett 61!!! If you know that you're going to be performing, then please sign up using this link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1czTlzgqDM2CF7K1g1RV4i7GbkJXMpPn1ySUe8S__peU/edit?usp=sharing

Of course you can still perform even if you don't sign up :) We hope to see you all there!!

11/08/2019

HI EVERYONE!

We are so so excited for our Open Mic event that is coming up this Thursday (11/14) in Bartlett 61!! We just wanted to note that there has been a time change. We will be holding the event from 7:30PM-9:00PM!

We love you all and we are so excited to see all of your artistic abilities 😍

10/24/2019

This was such a great event! Thank you to everyone who participated!

This was such a great event! Thank you to everyone who participated!

09/09/2019

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another semester!

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. It’s always helpful to give someone a smile, ask a friend how they’re doing and do something for your own mental health, too!!

We miss you all 😊 keep an eye out for our first email!

Today begins National Suicide Prevention Week!

Get involved by downloading, sharing, and spreading awareness for suicide prevention and mental health right from our #NSPW19 toolkit!

04/18/2019

Out of the Darkness Campus Walks

Thinking about fundraising for the Out of the Darkness Walk? Here are some easy tips and tricks you can do to raise money!

1.) Ask your friends to venmo you a dollar or two!
2.) Post on facebook that you are fundraising for the walk!
3.) Skip buying dunkin for the next two weeks and use that money to donate to yourself!
4.) Email friends and family (emphasis on adults! they love to donate)
5.) Ask your place of work if you can leave a donations jar for the walk!

I hope these were helpful and you all are successful in fundraising if you are able to! If you would personally like to donate to the walk you can do so here! https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=6182

Walk Date: 04/28/2019 Walk Location: Student Union South Lawn - Amherst, MA Check-in/Registration Time:  10:00 am Walk Begins: 10:30 am Walk Ends: 12:00 pm

04/13/2019

With only 15 days left until the Out of the Darkness Walk we are kicking off out #WhyIWalk campaign! So many people have been touched by suicide and we are grateful to hear the stories from those who choose to share them.
--------------------
Last year I was in a very different spot that I am right now. I was depressed, my OCD symptoms were out of control, and I was struggling with suicidal ideation. Since then, I have taken many steps towards recovery, and spending five weeks at McLean hospital in the OCD Institute helped me more than anything. It’s strange to look back on a summer spent in a mental hospital and have fond memories, but before going there, I had never even met anyone else with OCD, never mind make lifelong friends with them. This is where I met Kate. We both got to the institute around the same time, and we quickly became close friends. There is something about sharing such similar symptoms that gives everyone there a deep understanding of each other. Kate and I were both sad the day I had to leave, but she was happy with the progress I had made, and she made significant progress too. We kept in contact after I left, and we would call on occasion and talk about life, struggles, and progress. However, even after extensive treatment, symptoms do sometimes come back. About a week before the start of this spring semester, Kate tried to take her life. She struggles with treatment resistant depression, anxiety, and reoccurring OCD symptoms. I was so distraught after hearing about what happened, and I still shudder at the thought of losing her. Kate is a fantastic person, and she is always there for me despite her struggles. Kate survived the attempt, and we talked constantly for the weeks following. She stayed inpatient at McLean hospital for a few weeks, but she is having a difficult time finding a program with openings that will take her insurance and teach DBT to treat her symptoms. I finally got the chance to see her in person after the incident, and I was so happy to see her smiling and laughing again. Every day is still a struggle for her, but she continues to persevere and put in the work to improve even though this disorder is so difficult to battle. She is one of the bravest people I know.
I walk for Kate, and everyone else who has been personally affected by suicide. Kate is one of my best friends, and I really cannot imagine a world without her.
If you are struggling, please get help by reaching out to friends, family, a professional, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

02/21/2019

Thank you all for coming to tonight's meeting about the science of happiness. Here is a link to the list of things that make us happy and a picture of Kate Schacterle in front of the board!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16RyUhXLCvqGj9uOpMxIJKlLU8lubWXNnx902us2weV0/edit?usp=sharing

11/08/2018

Hey peeps! Here's the list we came up with together at tonight's meeting about how to talk to loved ones about mental health! Take a peek, there's some good stuff on there! 😉

Hope you all have a great rest of the week!❤️

10/12/2018

Amherst, MA NEDA Walk: UMass Active Minds - NEDAWalk

The Amherst NEDA walk is ALMOST HERE!! We are so excited for this awesome and healing day. Here’s the link to join our walk team, ALL are welcome to join! People can also register the day of the walk as well! Registration is at 9 and the walk starts at 10 on Goodell lawn this Sunday, 10/14 right near the chapel and library. We hope to see your bright and shining faces there 😊

NEDA Walk

10/09/2018

Active Minds UMass Chapter's cover photo

04/22/2018

Such an amazing day! Thank you to everyone who made it to the walk as well as all of those who were rooting for us from the sidelines! It was a stigma crushing, awareness raising, love filled day and it wouldn’t have been the same without each and every one of you. Thanks for being you! We love you! 💚💙

04/19/2018

Come visit our table at berk!!! We will be there until 8! :)

02/06/2018

Hello all!

This semester, the Center for Women and Community (CWC) is offering several different workshops. One discusses Mindfulness and Meditation to help combat anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental illnesses and stressors. Another group being offered will be a story-telling workshop focused on the #metoo movement and survivors of sexual violence. This particular program will be open to anyone regardless of a background with writing or sexual violence, but a preliminary and informal interview will be conducted before the first meeting of that group.
The CWC is accessible to all gender identities, not just for women. Although they specialize in sexual violence and abuse, general counseling is also offered. The CWC is located on campus in the New Africa House, which is next door to University Health Services (UHS).

If you would like more information about these programs, are interested in joining one of the workshops, or have questions about the CWC in general, you can email Niamh at [email protected].

Hope you're all having a good week so far! See you next Wednesday at our next general body meeting (frank dinner this Wednesday TBD depending on the weather 😉)

12/19/2017

Justinne

Hey guys, saw this post on the Overheard on UMASS FB group. This is really insensitive in regards to people who choose to take medications to help their moods. Just an example of some of the stigma surrounding mental health. :(

12/02/2017

Kesha Explains The Effects Of Having A Mental Illness During The Holidays — BuzzFeed

Hey guys!! Alexa found a great article that related to what we talked about at our last meeting, so we thought we’d share it with you all! Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! See you all at our end of the semester shindig!!!!! ❤️😉

"To fight this, I’ve developed a mantra: It’s not selfish to take time for yourself."

10/26/2017

Cornell freshman's video on loneliness of college gets national attention

A cute n realistic video that sums up some of the stuff we talked about yesterday!! Keep on keepin on, Active Minds peeps

Emery Bergmann made the video for a digital media class.

10/17/2017

Niamh found her rock outside Argo!! Happy Tuesday ya'll, be yourself!

10/15/2017

First rock spotted at the library!!! "be the light" 😊

10/15/2017

Come through the NEDA walk at Goodell! Here’s some of our Active Minds members reppin’ this morning!

10/01/2017

Active Minds

We’re thrilled to let you know — the NFL Players Association and Active Minds have teamed up for the 2017 season on a league-wide mental health campaign.

Each NFL player on all 32 teams received Active Minds’ exclusive “The World Needs You Here” bracelet to help spread our message of help and hope.

As Arizona Cardinals safety Antoine Bethea said:

“We all know someone who suffers from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another mental health condition. Suicide is not the answer. Getting help is the answer, and that’s why we as players felt it was important to get involved with ‘The World Needs You Here’ campaign. It’s important for people to know that it’s OK to talk about mental health and by encouraging that dialogue, you might save someone’s life.”

We're so proud of this partnership! You can get the same "The World Needs You Here" bracelet for yourself and everyone you care about. Read more about the initiative and get your bracelet at www.activeminds.org/needyouhere. #NeedYouHere

09/28/2017

Look at all of these bright and cheerful rocks that we are going to decorate campus with!! Can't wait for these lil guys to start doing their job and make people happy when they find them 🙂 Thanks to everyone who came out and got crafty with us tonight!! It was the best turn out we have had in a long time- SO LETS KEEP IT GOING!!! Hope to see everyone at the next meeting! ❤️

09/14/2017

Great first meeting guys!! These are all of the lovely ideas we came up with on how we can fight stigma. It's going to be a great semester 🙂 see you all at our next meeting!!

09/07/2017

Hey all! Welcome back to campus! We hope your first few days of classes haven't been bad.

We just wanted to let you all know that we will be at the Activities Expo Fair tomorrow from 2:30-5:30pm at Haigis Mall. Feel free to come by and say hi or if you have any questions about Active Minds come by and ask them!

Hope to see you there!

05/05/2017

Active Minds UMass Chapter's cover photo

04/30/2017

The day's finally here! The 3rd annual umass out of the darkness walk is today! Registration opens at 10, and the walk starts at 11. If you haven't registered yet, don't worry, you can once you get to the walk! It is at the umass track and field, across the street from the intramural fields. Come join us and help raise suicide awareness and support those who are struggling!

04/24/2017

Hey again y'all! This Wednesday is going to be our last meeting of the year. We will be meeting at 7 pm in Campus Center room 803. The theme of this meeting is a "kick back" where we will be making appreciation notes, friendship bracelets (if you're feelin it) and jenga!! Come meet some of our wonderful members and say bye for the summer!

Hope to see you all there!