U Bring Change 2 Mind hopes to empower students to start the conversation on mental health and reduce stigma.
"Not talking about mental health issues means that the toxic stigma that is still out there will continue to keep people from asking for help, from getting the treatment they need and from helping people to understand that a mental illness is a chronic disease, like any other chronic disease. You are not your illness." —Glenn Close
Our mission is to open a conversation about mental illness that builds the awareness, understanding, and empathy necessary to inspire the action, structural change, and the creation of new norms which end stigma and discrimination. Our role is to help start the conversation and amplify the voice of others, to open hearts and minds and change fear and stigma toward people with mental illness into compassion and support for their journey.
U Bring Change 2 Mind’s goal is to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness on college campuses.
Through fun awareness activities and a spirit of inclusion and education, U Bring Change 2 Mind can reduce stigma on college campuses across the country. By emphasizing “connectedness” and social support, we can change attitudes, lower levels of stigma, eliminate barriers to mental healthcare, and improve lives.
U Bring Change 2 Mind's College Toolbox, is an intervention and assessment research project whose goal is to develop a systematic, scientifically-tested program which is distributed to colleges and universities throughout the country as they create their own chapter.
More AboutStigma is considered the largest barrier to help-seeking on college campuses. While the actual stigma around mental health issues might not be as large, students' perceived stigma prevents them from seeking medication, therapy or other forms of support. Students worry about their social perception if they seek treatment.
“I was concerned that the information would become part of a permanent record that could be viewed negatively. I still feel that there is a lot of stigma and the benefits of disclosing do not outweigh the risks.”
Student National Survey
“The worst thing about depression isn't even the highs and lows, it's not being able to tell anyone.”
StudentUniversity of Notre Dame
“Stigma associated with mental illness has been identified as a key attitudinal factor that may impede mental health service use, and stigma reduction is a central objective of national mental health policies”
David Eisenberg Professor of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan
U Bring Change 2 Mind is based out of its pilot location at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. We were lucky enough to work with a campus community that was passionate about mental health. The support we have had from the University and its students has shaped this program.
The program is based off a 4-year intervention and assessment research which evaluates the efficacy of anti-stigma programming and materials at IU. These materials and programming, designed by the students were all scientifically evaluated in the pilot and have provided us with incredible insights.
We are packaging the programming and findings as "The College Toolbox" which will be distributed for use by UBC2M, free of charge, to any college or university. Upon receiving the toolbox, schools will have all the tools they need to create a successful chapter.
Learn MoreIf you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call the Crisis Hotline: 800.273.TALK (8255).
The good we do through U Bring Change 2 Mind couldn't be possible without the work of Bring Change 2 Mind, our parent organization, and our other contributors. We cannot express how deeply grateful we are for their support through their insights, knowledge, and helping hands!
Every donation you make takes us one step closer to our goal of eliminating stigma forever.
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