When “I” becomes “we”, “illness” becomes “wellness”
- Malcolm X
BackGround
The Founder
What We Stand For
Megan Burke created the Beautiful Minds Campaign in 2013. Within the first few years of the Beautiful Minds Club forming at her school, Holliston High School, BMC gained a partnership with a non-profit organization, and maintained a presence in three schools (Holliston High School, Robert Adams Middle School, and Sandwich High School).
The BMC is a mental health and wellness initiative that aims to promote mental health while destigmitizing mental illness. It values the overall health of students and focuses on educating the community on proper mental health techniques.
WHAT
WHO
The Facts
The BMC was founded in 2013 in Holliston, MA and has since adapted into a community engaged initiative with inclusive projects, discussions, and activities.
WHEN & WHERE
The Why
The Beautiful Mind Campaign not only provides students a safe place to express how they are feeling, but also validates those feelings. Mental illness is a growing epidemic among young people, especially among high school communities in which competition and the pursuit of “perfection” run rampant. A mental health initiative like the Beautiful Mind Campaign builds the emotional and mental resilience of students so they may be more successful in and out of the classroom
WHY
Personal Story
Personal Reflection: Molly Kent
The Beautiful Minds Campaign has been a reflective experience for myself. The BMC has given me an opportunity to strengthen my own mind and community while raising awareness and promoting mental wellness. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for many years, but I have chosen persistence and direction despite failure. I am more than grateful and lucky that my school district has been supportive of my efforts to incorporate a student led mental health initiative. Not every step of the way has been easy, especially when it comes to managing my mental health.
I think that the number one thing I have learned about myself through this experience has been learning how not to compare yourself to others, even when it seems like the only option for recognition. In so many ways, we have been taught to compare ourselves to each other: Class President races, winning the championship game, reaching the top of your class, and even applying to college. It's nearly impossible to escape the feeling of never ending competition. Constant competition in nearly all areas of one's life will lead to feelings of inadequacy, lower self esteem, and a lack of self worth. I founded the Sandwich Chapter of the Beautiful Minds to hopefully decrease the amount of students, just like myself, that will have to suffer the repercussions of the competitive nature fostered in so many high school students.
"We Won't be Distracted by Comparison if We are Captivated by Purpose"

How to Get Involved
I want to learn more...
To Lean More,
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The following presentation has been used at many events to describe Beautiful Minds and Provide an overview of the Campaign and important statistics behind the WHY of our mission.
I want the BMC in my school...
The BMC is an easily adaptable, exciting, and helpful recourse.
The BMC, with the help of Unseal The Silence, has developed a comprehensive curriculum that one can easily bring into their school.
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If you would like to learn more about adapting the BMC to your school and gain the curriculum and guidance you will need, email Molly Kent at mollyckent@gmail.com or Megan Burke at meganburke@gmail.com
Statistics


Chapter: Sandwich
What we have accomplished...
1. Developed Successful club chapter that ran from 2017-2018.
2. Organized student aspect of the “Angst” documentary (explores the world of anxiety) Viewing for 7th-12th graders.
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3. Provided a de-stressing campaign during Finals.
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4. Extended into helping with Suicide Prevention Walks and bringing the program to other schools (Fairhaven, MA).
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5. Professional Website Design (what you are accessing right now!)
What we will accomplish...
1. Updated and professional panel for 7th-12th graders to feel supported and recognized, with information about coping and resources.
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2. Motivational Speaker
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3. Mental Health Toolkit
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4. American Mental Wellness Initiative (education, training, fair)
https://www.americanmentalwellness.org/schools-mental-wellness-initiative/
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5. Letting older students who are passionate about mental health talk to freshman health classes about mental health/school pressures.
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6. Stamp out the stigma day!
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7. Optionalizing and anxiety breathers and/or/maybe making it be a viable reason to be sent home.