2023-2024 directors BOARD

                         EXECUTIVE

Chiara Frank
"Hi! My name is Chiara and I am a 3rd year Neuroscience major and Education Studies minor. I joined Active Minds because mental health has become something very important to me and to advocate for those my community who may not be feeling supported through their battles. Unlike a fractured bone, mental health issues often cannot be seen by others, which may make individuals hesitant to be vulnerable about their feelings. With past experience in suicide prevention programs, I hope to encourage a space in which individuals feel safe and comfortable to discuss their challenges and reach out for further support if they need. I love the sense of community within our club and am excited to continue growing the awareness of and access to mental health resources on our campus!"

                        EXECUTIVE

Mahnoor Wani
"I am passionate about mental health advocacy and awareness because of my own personal struggles with mental health and the misunderstanding surrounding this topic in my community. I believe it is critical that we change the dialogue around mental health in order to promote a healthy and empowering environment for everyone. Therefore, I joined Active Minds in order to be a part of a welcoming and empowering community where I could learn more about my own mental health and contribute to the de-stigmatization of this topic in a college environment."

Marketing

Erica Stendal
 "Hello, I'm Erica! I am a third year psychology major and film minor. I joined Active Minds to find a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about mental health!"

Marketing

Katherine Wang
"Hi I’m Katherine! I’m interested in mental health advocacy because of its growing prevalence and stigma among adolescents. I joined Active Minds to raise awareness and engage in meaningful conversations on this subject, hoping to contribute my share in inspiring more people to prioritize their mental health as a regular commitment, and I’m grateful to have found a community of like-minded peers here along the way!"

Membership

Sila Sozeri
"Having lived in Turkey for almost my entire life, I grew up internalizing that expressing one’s struggles with mental health were a sign of vulnerability, not resilience. As I grew older, however, I got exposed to different cultures and types of people, realizing that to have open conversations about mental health issues, these negative connotations of mental health taught to us must be unlearned. Joining Active Minds introduced me to a community of like-minded individuals eager to work towards de-stigmatizing mental health issues, where learning is always encouraged."

Membership

Hope Crossley

"Hey everyone! I'm Hope, a second-year psychology major. I joined Active Minds because I am passionate about changing the conversations surrounding mental health, believing that everyone deserves support, education, and understanding. I'm committed to breaking the stigma and being a safe space for anyone to open up about their struggles."

EDUCATION

Sophia Garcia-Meza
​"Hello! My name is Sophia Garcia-Meza and I am an incoming fourth-year Political Science major and Applied Developmental Psychology minor and am incredibly excited to be a co-director for the Education committee here at Active Minds! I joined Active Minds last year in an effort to establish a community that shared similar goals in bridging gaps in access to adequate mental health support and resources. I am a native San Franciscan and when I’m not focused on school I enjoy hiking, crocheting, and enjoying hot pot at Northern Cafe."

EDUCATION

Kathleen Rae Deguzman
"Hiii! I’m Kat! I joined Active Minds because I’m passionate about spreading insights, my experiences, and educating our campus about mental health topics that often go undiscussed :-)"

Workshops

Sarah Bruno
"Growing up I never had any education or knowledge surrounding mental health. After learning about my own struggles with mental health, I wanted to be part of a club that brings mental health awareness to students. I’ve also just have loved the community I’ve built of people trying to raise mental health awareness."

Workshops

Jenny Richmond
"Hi everyone! My name is Jenny and I am a fourth year neuroscience major here at UCLA. I joined Active Minds with a passion for mental health advocacy and a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on campus. Having struggled with mental health personally, and also witnessed friends and loved ones do the same, I want to dismantle the stigma and discomfort surrounding mental health. Active Minds has allowed me to participate in a constructive, empathetic, and tangible movement where self-care, social relationships, and meaningful discussion all contribute to mental health literacy."

Events

Kate Greeley
"I’m from Brooklyn, and I joined active minds to find my own community at UCLA, I’ve always been passionate about mental health and AM helped me find my people!"

events

Reilly Chin​
"As someone who's struggled with their mental health, whether it be perfectionism or imposter syndrome, I wanted to understand and learn more about these topics and how I can help better my mental health. By joining Active Minds, I had the opportunity to not only validate my emotions and experiences, but use them to help other students facing similar challenges and help foster a stronger sense of community here at UCLA!"

Advocacy

Kristina G. Lopez
"Hi all! My name is Kristina (she/her/ella) and I think student driven resources are some of the best forms of support for like-minded individuals. I joined Active Minds with the intention of being able to integrate more culturally competent mental health resources on campus. As one of the advocacy directors, we are here to advocate for YOUR voice so please reach out!"​

Advocacy

Natalia Castillo
"I joined Active Minds because I recognized how significant it is to de-stigmatize, legitimize, and educate our peers on mental health issues. As someone who's struggled with their mental health in a constricting environment, I can sympathize with the desire to be accepted in a supportive and inclusive space, and I wish to provide this space for others. With Active Minds, I aspire to utilize my passion and foster progressive conversations regarding mental health on campus and in our community."

Outreach

Jillian Poulsen
"Acquiring knowledge about mental health has not only enriched my personal growth, but it has also illuminated a path where I aspire to make a meaningful impact on my immediate community and broader world. I am inspired by the positive changes that stem from open conversations about mental health and the critical need to foster a supportive, inclusive community. Joining Active Minds connected me with like-minded individuals deeply committed to this pursuit, and I'm here to be an ally and supporter, always ready to lend a helping hand."

Outreach

Rafiyah Safdar
"Hi guys! My name is Rafiyah and I’m a second year psychology major. I joined Active Minds because I believe that open conversations about mental health are extremely valuable and important to have. It is crucial to create a welcoming environment on campus where people can form a community and find a safe space and I am so beyond grateful to be a part of organization that does exactly so."

Finance

Eva Reyman
"Hi everyone! My name is Eva and I’m a fourth year Anthropology major. Some of my hobbies include hiking, singing and listening to music, and knitting. I joined Active Minds because I want to help open discussions around mental health and create an inclusive atmosphere where self love and community are valued highly. I want to be a positive force in people’s lives and I love that Active Minds provides many resources around mental heath, and spreads awareness to stop the stigma surrounding mental illness. I love the community I have found here and am really excited for all we will accomplish this year!"

Finance

Abby Freeman
"Hi! My name is Abby. A little about me is that I’m a 3rd year, and I like snowboarding and playing lacrosse. I joined AM after finding a bruinwalk flier for the mental health conf last year and thinking this sounded like such an amazing org. I love how human it all is and the overall goal to create a campus with less stigma surrounding mental health."