May is Mental Health Awareness Month. WESH 2 is committed to keeping the conversation going by highlighting Central Floridians who work to erase the stigma.Inside the bustling student union at the University of Central Florida, the Knights are taking charge of their mental health. Tobey Smith, a UCF senior, is proud to help lead the efforts through Active Minds. “We are actually the UCF chapter of a larger nonprofit organization all about mobilizing young adults to change the conversation about mental health,” Smith said.Active Minds serves as a liaison between students and the mental health community. The organization aims to increase young people’s awareness and provide mental health information and resources. It also encourages them to seek help as soon as it is needed without feeling shame or fear.To help achieve those goals, the UCF chapter organized a wellness event called Stress-Less Week. Multiple organizations, from on and off campus, shared tangible tools to help them prioritize their mental wellness.Smith said they also talked to students about leaning on each other for support.”Most often, the first person that someone tells if they’re struggling with their mental health, or even thinking about suicide, is a friend. So, if we can educate college students and educate peers to be able to have those conversations and share the resources that are available to them, that can make the difference.”Studies from Mental Health America show that peer support is crucial for young adults and teenagers. Active Minds suggests trying the A.S.K. method: Acknowledge: Create a supportive space by letting them know you’re here for themSupport: Validate their feelings and ask them what they needKeep in Touch: Check back in regularly and consistently”It can be hard sometimes to talk about mental health, but I think the most important thing is just to listen and to be there,” Smith said.That message of peer-to-peer support reaches high schools across Central Florida, too.Inside classroom 638-A, at Wekiva High School, students connect with Taylor McGowan, who is a social worker.She started Lighthouse Leaders, a student-led club for everyone to focus on building connections, strengthen leadership skills and advocating for each other.There are posters and messages on the wall reminding students to never give up, make room for miracles and radiate positivity.”I’ve learned more about mental health and how to cope with it because during the pandemic, I obviously didn’t have a lot of support because I was locked in the house,” said Arianna Garcia, a senior at Wekiva High School.Garcia, a senior, is one of the students McGowan helped. She said that as she prepares to graduate this year, she’s going to college to become a social worker to follow in McGowan’s footsteps. Garcia said she wants to continue learning how to uplift her peeps.”A lot of times, like especially for me, it’s really hard to talk to adults. So, having someone to talk to that’s your age or around your age is really important because I’m able to be myself and they’ll understand what I’m kind of going through,” Garcia said.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. WESH 2 is committed to keeping the conversation going by highlighting Central Floridians who work to erase the stigma.
Inside the bustling student union at the University of Central Florida, the Knights are taking charge of their mental health.
Tobey Smith, a UCF senior, is proud to help lead the efforts through Active Minds.
“We are actually the UCF chapter of a larger nonprofit organization all about mobilizing young adults to change the conversation about mental health,” Smith said.
Active Minds serves as a liaison between students and the mental health community. The organization aims to increase young people’s awareness and provide mental health information and resources. It also encourages them to seek help as soon as it is needed without feeling shame or fear.
To help achieve those goals, the UCF chapter organized a wellness event called Stress-Less Week. Multiple organizations, from on and off campus, shared tangible tools to help them prioritize their mental wellness.
Smith said they also talked to students about leaning on each other for support.
“Most often, the first person that someone tells if they’re struggling with their mental health, or even thinking about suicide, is a friend. So, if we can educate college students and educate peers to be able to have those conversations and share the resources that are available to them, that can make the difference.”
Studies from Mental Health America show that peer support is crucial for young adults and teenagers.
Active Minds suggests trying the A.S.K. method:
Acknowledge: Create a supportive space by letting them know you’re here for them
Support: Validate their feelings and ask them what they need
Keep in Touch: Check back in regularly and consistently
“It can be hard sometimes to talk about mental health, but I think the most important thing is just to listen and to be there,” Smith said.
That message of peer-to-peer support reaches high schools across Central Florida, too.
Inside classroom 638-A, at Wekiva High School, students connect with Taylor McGowan, who is a social worker.
She started Lighthouse Leaders, a student-led club for everyone to focus on building connections, strengthen leadership skills and advocating for each other.
There are posters and messages on the wall reminding students to never give up, make room for miracles and radiate positivity.
“I’ve learned more about mental health and how to cope with it because during the pandemic, I obviously didn’t have a lot of support because I was locked in the house,” said Arianna Garcia, a senior at Wekiva High School.
Garcia, a senior, is one of the students McGowan helped. She said that as she prepares to graduate this year, she’s going to college to become a social worker to follow in McGowan’s footsteps. Garcia said she wants to continue learning how to uplift her peeps.
“A lot of times, like especially for me, it’s really hard to talk to adults. So, having someone to talk to that’s your age or around your age is really important because I’m able to be myself and they’ll understand what I’m kind of going through,” Garcia said.