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West Chester University’s NAMI on Campus program extends NAMI’s, National Alliance on Mental Illness, mainline mission to help people who are affected by mental illness live better lives. We are a student-led organization that focuses on mental health issues in a plethora of ways including; raising community awareness, educating peers through presentations and discussion, and providing a strong support system for other students. Having this strong support system on campus is a major asset for students. Our group becomes a safe space where members no longer feel alone, and through trust become comfortable enough to express their feelings, ask for help, and resources. As a group, we do lots of self-care activities involving things like guided meditation, therapy dogs, coloring, and more! This organization is a great place to feel supported, have a great time with others, and fight to end the stigma around mental illness.
Dr. Bratina, a NAMI on Campus advisor and my professor in forensic mental health, taught us the biggest challenge to getting people the help they need is the stigma associated with mental health. Mental illness should be taken seriously and oftentimes people forget that those with mental illnesses are human. We are college students and now is the time to start prioritizing ourself and our mental health, especially when we are expected to juggle so many things in order to succeed. As a community, we have to look out for each other and become more open minded towards things that others go through. This is why NAMI on Campus is so important. It provides college students with a place to express themselves and be educated on topics we are ignorant to, or learn about resources that help with whatever we are going through.
NAMI on Campus is a community of welcoming and amazing people who truly care about you and your well-being. Personally, I have never felt more welcomed into a club, largely due to the positive energy that everyone exerts. My first time going to a meeting, I truly felt like it was a safe place to talk about how I feel and I loved that it promoted bettering your mental health and provided members with real ways to help with that. Being empathetic myself, I wanted to help others gain compassion and care more for those around them. My dream was to become a part of a community that supports the same things I am passionate about. I found that in NAMI, and eventually stepped up to the plate to become secretary. The role was a step out of my comfort zone for me. I usually do not insert myself into roles like this because of my anxiety, but I decided to challenge the anxiety and fear that I suffer from on a daily basis, and apply for the role. Ultimately, I ended up with the role of secretary and felt it was a step in the right direction. I truly believe we miss out on great opportunities when we try to limit ourselves.
One of our first events together will take place on Sunday, September 25th for NAMIWalks Philly located at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia at 1:00 pm. Please feel free to email JB924349@wcupa.edu for more information on how to join us! Our first meeting is coming up as well! It is September 20th in Brandywine room 011 at 7:00 pm. This club does not have a major time commitment, so do not worry if you can only make up until a certain time. We will still welcome you with open arms, happy for anyone to join us. The board members of NAMI on Campus include truly amazing people. We have Kylie Hoffman as our president, Lauren Pearson as our social media chair, Anna Carroll as treasurer, and me, Jadyn Branch as secretary. We cannot wait to meet you all and to see you join us in raising awareness on mental illness and bettering our mental health together! See you soon!
Jadyn Branch is a fourth-year Psychology major, with a minor in Criminal Justice. JB924349@WCUPA.EDU