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News Release

Last modified: Monday, October 5, 2009

IU chapter of Active Minds Inc. participates in National Day Without Stigma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 5, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University chapter of Active Minds Inc. is participating in a national dialogue on mental health issues today (Oct. 5) as members participate in the Third Annual National Day Without Stigma.

All across North America, Active Minds chapter members are asking their classmates: "What will you do to fight the stigma?" Everyone is affected by this issue in some way, shape or form. Yet stigma and inaccurate information often keep people from seeking the help that they need.

"We look forward to the day that all college students will be able to discuss mental health issues freely and openly," said Mara Weiss, president of the Active Minds IU chapter. "Our mission is to de-stigmatize mental health concerns so our peers are more comfortable and willing to seek the help that they need and know how to guide a friend to the appropriate resources."

At IU Bloomington, students will be wearing "1 in 4" buttons to highlight the one in four people in the United States who have a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year. The chapter will be passing out information at the Indiana Memorial Union Commons Literature desk from 11 a.m-noon and again from 1-3 p.m. They also will be handing out information on Tuesday, Oct. 6, outside the Arboretum at the corner of 10th Street and Fee Lane from 1-3 p.m.

"We are proud to have Active Minds at Indiana University participating in National Day Without Stigma this year," said Alison Malmon, executive director of Active Minds Inc. "National Day Without Stigma is our organization's way of promoting an open dialogue in order to reduce the stigma society attaches to mental health and mental illness."

The activity is one of several mental health awareness events planned this week in Bloomington as part of the national Mental Health Awareness Week. More information about the Art of Mental Health events can be found at www.artofmentalhealth.org. More information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness community walk on Saturday can be found at https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=833&destination=E.

About Active Minds Inc.

Active Minds is the leading voice in college student mental health. Thousands of student leaders and advocates work diligently on more than 200 campuses to raise awareness and promote mental health, reaching students through the implementation of programming that decreases stigma, brings about awareness, and ultimately creates a positive and accepting environment for the discussion of mental health issues.

For more information, visit the Active Minds website at www.activeminds.org, the Active Minds at IU Bloomington Facebook page, or e-mail Weiss at marweiss@indiana.edu.

For more information about National Day Without Stigma, visit: www.ActiveMinds.org/StopStigma.

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