Queens Mental Health Awareness Committee: Promoting Well-Being Through Education and Community
The Queens Mental Health Awareness Committee, commonly referred to as the MHAC, is a student-led group primarily based at Queen’s University with initiatives also occurring within the Queens College campus in the New York area. Its mission centers on reducing the stigma associated with mental health and fostering a more inclusive and empowered understanding of emotional well-being. Through contact-based education, the MHAC educates students on available resources both on and off campus and supports initiatives that promote mental health awareness, emphasizing intersectionality and anti-oppressive values.
The organization works with a team of dedicated student leaders, including Co-Chairs Bianca Naim and Danielle Leroux, who detail the committee’s goals as including the education of students regarding diverse mental health topics, the introduction of self-care and destigmatization, and the exploration of healthy coping strategies. In particular, the leadership highlights the importance of tackling issues related to mental illness while considering the diversity of identity markers such as sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, and accessibility. The MHAC aims to ensure all students feel represented in the dialogue around mental health through creative events, workshops, and speakers.
MHAC has organized a range of mental health events. For example, a Mental Health Paint Night was hosted to allow students to decompress before exams. The event focused on offering a relaxing, creative environment to alleviate academic stress and encourage student well-being. Other cultural and community-oriented events have been developed to provide students with accessible and engaging ways to explore mental health discussions in a non-judgmental space.
Collaborations with organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) are also evident in Queens College initiatives. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has participated in Mental Health Awareness Week, hosting a Campus Walk event in support of suicide prevention efforts. This event provided informative education, supportive beads, and bracelet-making stations while raising over $3,595 in donations from athletic teams, Greek life, and the broader Queens community. The Campus Walk was not only an opportunity for fundraising but also a platform for spreading awareness about mental health, supporting individuals affected by suicide, and fostering compassionate discussion.
The MHAC’s initiatives and events share common underlying values that align with broader mental health promotion efforts. These principles include:
- Education and Awareness: Providing accessible, inclusive, and informative education about mental health and related topics.
- Community and Support: Fostering a sense of community and belonging through shared experiences and collective efforts.
- Destigmatization: Encouraging open, honest conversations to eliminate the shame or misunderstanding often associated with mental illness.
- Non-Judgment and Inclusivity: Recognizing that mental health intersects with many aspects of identity and that all individuals deserve support and representation.
- Resource Sharing: Ensuring students are informed about existing campus and community resources that can assist them in times of need.
These practices resonate with evidence-based mental health strategies that emphasize the importance of community-based interventions, reducing isolation, and increasing accessibility to care. When structured with consideration for cultural and individual differences, these efforts support emotional well-being by helping individuals process their experiences and feel supported in their coping mechanisms.
While no specific evidence-based therapy modalities such as hypnotherapy, cognitive-behavioral interventions, or somatic approaches are described in the source data, the general strategies employed by the MHAC do align with therapeutic principles that promote psychological balance. Interventions that involve creativity (such as art therapy), social support, and open communication are well-documented in mental health research as useful complements to clinical care and personal growth. Events like the paint night could be seen as informal but meaningful applications of these approaches.
However, the material does not provide detailed insights into specific therapeutic protocols or evidence-based mental health practices such as the application of trauma-informed care, phobia resolution techniques, or subconscious reprogramming methods. For these more clinical domains, consulting licensed practitioners or specialized resources (e.g., those listed by the American Psychological Association) is encouraged for more detailed, individualized guidance.
For individuals exploring mental health options or wellness strategies, it is recommended to combine supportive community efforts—such as those modeled by the MHAC—with formal therapeutic interventions when needed. This can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and other scientifically supported options tailored to personal needs and goals.