EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Students at Eastern Michigan University who have encountered mental health challenges themselves or through others close to them will express their unique experiences though a variety of performances during a special event Tuesday, April 9.

The Second Annual Mental Health Monologues will be held at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. The performance will feature students articulating their experiences through songs, poems, skits, dances, speeches or other forms of artistic expression.

The event is free and open to the public and is LBC approved.

The event is presented by the student group called Active Minds at Eastern Michigan University. Active Minds empowers students to change the perception about mental health on college campuses. The group promotes mental health awareness, raises awareness of suicide prevention, promotes a seek-help culture and combats the negative stigma of talking about mental health.

“This event helps raise awareness of mental health and of mental illnesses that people don’t hear about often enough,” said Desmine Robinson, a student at EMU who is president of Active Minds. “It inspires audience members to engage in dialogue about their own mental health.”

Performers auditioned this semester for their spots in the event, a process that excited Robinson on their behalf. “It's so amazing auditioning the performers,” he said. “Self-advocacy really makes my heart smile.”

The event is funded by Women in Philanthropy at EMU. The group, which is open to men, cultivates faculty, staff, alumni and friends as University supporters through educating women about the power of personal and collective philanthropy and distributing financial awards to members of the EMU community.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.