“My time at OMM really solidified the idea of mental health being a non-negotiable in my life, in my career choices. When I think about my current and future jobs, I recognize that mental health is not a “nice to have”, but it really is core to just looking after myself as a person.” – Focus group participant
Over the years, our team has seen countless examples of how investments in teen mental health pay dividends over a lifetime. Today, we are so excited to share the results of a focus group that illuminates some of these wide-ranging impacts, through the voices of OMM alumni on the deep and lasting imprints of this work on their lives.
In early summer of 2025, OMM brought together five former OMM club leaders—all of whom are now in their early twenties—for a focus group conversation reflecting on how OMM shaped not only their mental health journey in and beyond high school, but also their beliefs, identities, relationships, and professional paths as young adults.
While this focus group is relatively small, we were thrilled by the clear themes that emerged, showing how the investments in teen mental well-being returned interconnected, far-reaching benefits:
A Safe Space that Stays
When asked about the fondest memories from their time in OMM, this group of alumni unanimously described their clubs as “safe spaces” where vulnerability was welcomed, struggles were normalized, and stigma was challenged. For some, those experiences helped them navigate through challenges during their formative years. As one alum recalled, “Without this productive channel, it would’ve been much harder to gain control over my feelings and I don’t think I’d be as mentally healthy as I am now.” For many though, being an OMM leader taught them the power of creating and holding safe spaces, not just for themselves but for others too. These lessons became blueprints they now strive to recreate in other parts of their lives with friends, colleagues, and even within their own families.
Growing Tools to Take Charge of Mental Health
OMM alumni say what they learned in school remains indispensable in adulthood. From healthy coping skills to mental health literacy, OMM helped them develop knowledge and tools to either articulate their own mental health needs or advocate for changes they would like to see.
“I never believed in talking to someone I didn’t know about what I was going through,” one participant admitted. “But OMM taught me it’s okay not to be okay—and it’s okay to ask for help.” Another alum echoed the sentiment as they shared how OMM opened their mind about therapy, which they have found helpful in coping with the demands of their work.
Others spoke about how OMM gave them the “language” to break the silence in their families, especially in immigrant households where mental health isn’t talked about. One alum recalled their club hosting a parents’ mental health night: “Getting the knowledge, the language, and the resources really made an impact within my family unit […] I take so much pride and almost solace in knowing that I’m helping to break intergenerational cycles of pushing things under the rug.”
A Community-Wide Ripple Effect
While the alumni also spoke about how OMM shaped their view of leadership and career paths, perhaps the most striking theme was how OMM’s influence spread beyond the individual. Alumni spoke about stronger family bonds, more open conversations with peers and parents, and lasting cultural shifts in their schools as a result of the movement they helped lead.
“OMM was my first experience with the notion of legacy,” one alum said. “It was the first time I had ever built something with other people, then passed it on, and saw it continue after me. That’s still, I think, a really powerful lesson.”
The focus group, while small, painted a vivid picture: OMM isn’t just a high school mental health club – it’s also a launchpad for lifelong growth. Alumni are carrying lessons learned into their families, workplaces, and communities, long after they have graduated. They are living proof that when teens are trusted to lead on mental health, the ripple effects reach far into adulthood.
“There’s an unfathomable impact happening as a result of this work. Even if you can’t measure it—we are the living evidence.” — Focus group participant
Our Minds Matter is so grateful to the five alumni who participated in the focus group. We thank you for your candid sharing and your continued support of our movement.
Do you want to join us in our mission to empower young people to support their own mental health and their peers? Contact us to get involved!
Read the full report here or below.