WHAT IS ACTIVE MINDS UALBERTA?
A Social Movement to Change the Conversation Surrounding Mental Health
The University of Alberta Active Minds Chapter was established in November 2018. We are a student-led initiative working towards reducing the stigma that is attached to mental health. Rather than being called a student “club”, the members of Active Minds recognize themselves as a social movement, geared towards changing the conversation surrounding mental health. We recognize the diversity of individuals’ mental health and how it is stigmatized by society, even
though it is a universal topic that requires immediate attention. Especially on a university campus, its prevalence must be acknowledged. Our mission as a student initiative is to address key issues such as awareness about mental health on campus; decrease stigma surrounding
mental health to create an overall safer campus environment for open conversation about mental
health; promote positive mental health and wellness; provide easy access to information and resources regarding mental health and mental health disorders; and serve as a liaison between the student body and the mental health community by holding campus-wide activities.
MISSION STATEMENT
Active Minds is a student led, student run, mental health awareness and advocacy group that is established for the expressed purposes of, and exists on campus to:
1) Raise awareness of the students, faculty, administrators and staff at the University of Alberta about mental health including; issues surrounding mental health, symptoms related to mental health disorders, and mental health resources available both on campus and in the community.
2) Decrease stigma surrounding mental health and mental health disorders / issues so that students as well as other campus members will feel more comfortable openly discussing mental-health related issues and seeking help when it is needed. As well as work to create an overall comfortable campus environment for open conversation about mental health.
3) Promote positive mental health and wellness as well as promote general awareness of holistic health by emphasizing care of both body and mind.
4) Provide easy access information and resources regarding mental health and mental health disorders (including but not exclusive of: Eating Disorders, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, etc.)
5) Serve as a liaison between the student body and the mental health community by holding campus-wide activities such as hosting guest speakers, providing informational fact sheets, organizing fundraisers and running national Active Minds programs designed to reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness.