Kristin Chamness, Advisor

The Active Minds chapter at UNK started three years ago. We have and continue to have amazing campus and community support. Two years ago we were talking in a meeting about how cool it would be for us to create a “Send Silence Packing” display- 15 backpacks in we discovered how tedious the job would be and we scratched the idea. We were so excited when we got the call that Send Silence Packing was coming to us.

Previous question from Megan Wilson:

How strong is mental health advocacy in the state of Nebraska and how would you go about making it stronger?

I am the chapter advisor and licensed mental health therapist/suicide prevention grant director at UNK. The state of Nebraska is farming state-wide coalitions and working on getting more help into schools to access for suicidal thinking and training people and students in how to talk with someone in crisis. The state is really starting to take notice. I have been actively involved in those “gatekeeper” trainings.

Questions for the next chapter:

1. What has been your most successful Active Minds recruitment tool?
2. How do you generate excitement around a heavy topic?
3. Have you experiences any resistance and how did you deal with it?

Amanda Raffety, Secretary

I am a psychology and social work major. I want to eventually work as a counselor for teenagers.

I joined Active Minds because my best friend has had many issues with depression. When we went away to college they got worse and I think if he had known where to get help, he would have been able to avoid drugs.

Previous questions from Beth McMillan:

If you could be one tree what would you be?

I would be an Ash tree because they are not a messy tree and reasonably disease resistant. They also grow quickly, are strong and can live in Nebraska.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sandwiches, because you don’t have to have the same kind everyday.

Questions for the next chapter:

1. What is your favorite pastime?
2. What is your oddest phobia?
3. What is your favorite thing about Active Minds?

Jordan Isaac

I joined because I’ve dealt with depression and ADHD my whole life. I’ve also dealt with people who have stopped hanging out with me when they found out about my conditions. I found the group surprisingly through my ex, Amanda. Now that I am a part of the group, I am so much happier having found people that accept me.

Previous question from Sebrina Campbell:

If you could be any Disney princess, who would you be?

Jasmine, because Mulan isn’t a princess and Jasmine has a tiger.

Which super power would you like to have if given the chance?

Rogue’s power to steal powers.

What’s your favorite part of being involved with Active Minds?

All of the fun people.

Questions for the next chapter:

1. What is your favorite summer activity?
2. What’s your favorite band/artist and why?
3. What’s your favorite movie?