"Life had just changed, and things would never be the same."

Active Minds' "Narratives on Mental Health," shared the stories of students on the Hill who have suffered a mental illness in their own words, on Thursday, November 12 in the Pugh Center. Active Minds is an "organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses," according to its website.

Abigail Myers '11 coordinated the event after reading about a school that did a similar program. She said it was time for students on the Hill to internalize what it means to have a mental illness.

Through Facebook messages and word of mouth, Myers managed to compile numerous narratives on students' struggles and experiences. Members of the College's chapter of Active Minds read the anonymous submissions of students who have dealt with mental illness either personally, with their friends, or with their family.

"The anonymity was powerful because it could have been anyone in that room or anyone on campus," Christine Lydon '11, an event attendee, said.

She said hopes the nature of the event will help make these often hushed issues more visible on campus.

"Having a mental illness is not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about," Myers said. The goal of the event was to illustrate the prevalence of mental illness on college campuses, and to decrease the taboo that surrounds mental health issues.

From depression, to social anxiety, to eating disorders, the stories personalized subjects that many consider distant.

"It's so ironic that so many suffer from [mental illness], but no one talks about it," Lydon said.

The powerful narratives held a theme other than mental illness in common. They told the audience: you are not alone, and recovery, while not always easy, is possible.

Myers wanted to "show students that many of their peers struggle with the same issues they do," she said. By sharing these deeply personal essays within an intimate context, she hoped to "reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses."

According to Myers and the other coordinators of the event, education on mental health has always been a rush of statistics. Instead of rattling off numbers, the group wanted to provide a "personal spin on things learned about [mental health]."

Hugs and words of shared understanding marked the event's close.

Myers said that she is not done yet; she hopes to continue collecting stories to create an exhibit, reaching a larger number of students on these issues of mental health. "Ultimately," Myers said, "I hope that this event and events like these will help give students the strength and support to get help if they need it."