Edison Minds Matter (EMM) is a student organization that encourages open conversations about mental health, destigmatizes discussions about well-being among peers, and strives to unite the Edison High School community through mental health advocacy. The current president, senior Ellie Teal, shares that her own pandemic experience compelled her to join with the other officers, Sabrina Ennaboulssi, Tyler Paloma and Cameron Hui, to kick mental health advocacy to a higher level, particularly for peers who were struggling after quarantine. The officers’ priorities were to establish a safe space for their classmates, emphasize that no one is alone, build social connectedness, and let Edison students know that this community will embrace all students with open arms.

The group promoted mental wellness by inspiring students to adopt simple, positive coping mechanisms, such as getting enough sleep, practicing meditation, embracing words of affirmation and tapping into the power of play. Campaigns featured a positive post-it note wall, morning meditation and yoga sessions, collaborations with local businesses to provide therapy dog visits, partnerships with spas to offer students opportunities for self-care, and workshops to balance expectations for student leaders, prevent burnout and cope with final exam stress.

The officers engaged multiple approaches to promote their activities, including Instagram, flyers, monthly ‘safe space’ in-person gatherings, media boards, to inform students on topics like seasonal depression, healthy coping mechanisms, and school and professional resources. The year even included a creative time capsule, “What’s In Your Hope Box?” EMM also spearheaded the first school-wide suicide prevention campaign resulting in numerous student organizations wearing the yellow ribbons for suicide awareness across campus. The aim was to remind students that they’re not alone and that resources are available to help them thrive. The school counselor, Ms. Johnson, and school psychologist, Ms. Callister, said that it was a huge success.

This work earned EMM a 2023 Shift Changemaker Award, along with a $500 grant to support further activities. Their advocacy skills have been tapped by the non-profit Our Minds Matter to participate in a 5K community event, serve on the national Our Minds Matter Teen Advisory Council, and speak at local middle schools to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness, especially within marginalized communities.

EMM is currently working to promote mental wellness in advisory/seminar classes. They are exploring more partnerships with local organizations to encourage students to actively participate in mental health care. Newly empowered by their experiences, they aspire to advocate for mental health at the legislative level, possibly organizing lobby days.

As the designated EMM spokesperson, Ellie Teal noted the peace-building effects of their efforts:

• Safe spaces to help a person find inner peace.
• Open conversations about mental health to build better understanding between people. This will help stereotypes to fall, and provide an environment where common ground (rather than differences) can be discovered, and
• A way for communities to move from fear to constructive support and action.

As Ellie explains, “EMM is a peace-building powerhouse.”