“Active Minds means so much to me,” Claire Brown said. “Not only is it one of my sorority’s philanthropies, but a way for me to help others through something I once went through. Their mission is something I align deeply with and want to share with others.”
Active Minds, a mental health awareness club, restarted at UT in October 2025 after becoming inactive in 2022. The program temporarily ended due to a lack of filled leadership positions, according to Avery Krishnan.
Brown, the president of Active Minds and a sophomore studying psychology, stated the process to relaunch the program at UT was straightforward. Brown and the Active Mind’s philanthropy director collaborated to reintroduce the organization, according to Krishnan, Active Minds member and sophomore studying management.
“Once you go through the registration process and get it approved through UT, you must register it through Active Minds, and then they approve it,” Brown said.
Brown said she hopes the organization maintains its presence on this campus as long as possible.
“I want this organization to be a safe space for members, and a way for us to connect with something bigger than ourselves. My goal for Active Minds is to spread their mission and purpose and to decrease the stigmatization around mental health,” Brown said.
Although Brown struggled with her own mental health for most of her life, Active Minds functioned as a cornerstone for her mental well-being.
“Active Minds has given me a purpose and a mission … One thing is for sure is that through Active Minds, it has empowered me to spark conversations and inspired me to help others who may be struggling. I will forever be grateful to Active Minds for allowing me to raise awareness about something that I am so passionate about,” Brown said.
Similarly, Krishnan battled with mental well-being issues in high school and occasionally still experiences difficult days. Active Minds allows her to continue her passion about mental health and to keep pushing.
“Since I have gotten help and reached out to mentors, I have been able to reduce my symptoms. I think it is so important for everyone to know that they are seen and have a purpose to be here,” Krishnan said.
From one Vol to another who are fighting mental health challenges, Krishnan encourages you to tell someone who you trust because there is always someone willing to listen — Active Mind achieves this element of open communication.
“Active Minds works to change the conversation about mental health by amplifying the voices of youth and young adults to make mental health a norm,” Brown said.
By fostering a safe environment to talk about personal struggles, Active Minds also allows room to raise awareness about suicide prevention and embrace the notion that mental health is just as vital as physical health.
Active Minds promotes honest exchange by offering events, resources and discussions available to all UT students.
Simple yet empowering, Active Mind’s current Instagram account, with the handle @activemindstennessee, posts uplifting messages as well as mental health tips. The page also includes access to the GroupMe and general information about their club, including information on their weekly meetings.
Outside of UT, Active Minds also serves as a national nonprofit organization. Move for Mental Health marathon is a popular event that takes place all around the U.S. Additionally, Send Silence Packing is a compelling movement involving students’ displayed backpacks on campuses, each one representing a loss by suicide.
“These events have a great turnout, and I believe it’s because they send a powerful and important message to all,” Brown said.
“I know it’s scary but trust me you will be so thankful,” Krishnan said. “There are people here that care about you and want to see you happy. Remember asking for help doesn’t mean you are weak; it means you are strong enough to fight for yourself and your well-being.”
