As a new school year begins, the OMM Team is happy to introduce the members of the 2023-24 Teen Advisory Council (TAC)! TAC allows high school students within the OMM network to enact change by providing input on OMMâs goals and program and communications strategies. After an application process, selected students serve on the Council […]
Our Minds Matter kicked off the school year by hosting our Back-to-School virtual training on Thursday, August 17. It was incredible to share space with so many students excited to start this year strong. The event began with an Opening Connection of Speed-Friending. Attendees were randomly put into breakout rooms to quickly answer questions like […]
What comes to mind when you think of your safe space? On April 27th, 2023, Oakton Minds Matter of Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia explored their personal safe spaces by doing our recreate your safe space activity with a special guest – Ramona, one of our incredible Program Coordinators! The purpose of this activity […]
On Wednesday, March 29th, Hawk Minds Matter of Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, VA hosted a lava lamp-making event to bring students together in a space dedicated to relaxation. Following community loss and transition, it was important to the members of Hawk Minds Matter to create an environment where students could practice mindfulness through crafting, […]
 When we think of Valentineâs Day, we often associate it with love, joy, and positivity. For some, however, the holiday brings up feelings of isolation and loneliness. Knights Minds Matter of Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. wanted to combat the potential for feelings of isolation on Valentineâs Day. To share the love with […]
Our Minds Matter kicked off 2023 by hosting a virtual Student Leader Social on Saturday, January 21 . We loved seeing students gather for this meet-up, where they connected and brainstormed with one another regarding self care, school-wide campaigns, and leading their clubs. After a fun warm-up activity where students guessed the names of […]
The adjustment back to school following winter break can be a tough one, especially with upcoming midterm projects and exams. Abington Minds Matter of Abington Senior High School in Abington, PA recognized this as an opportunity to connect with their peers and offer a space to engage in relaxing activities to prevent burnout. Students […]
While this time of year can be filled with merriment and glee, it can also be filled with emotions that may make you want to flee. Tests, family gatherings, and the pressure to be jolly, can leave us overwhelmed and ready to shout âoh, golly!â. The members of Gainesville Minds Matter (GMM) saw this […]
It can be easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others, especially when it comes to your body. What if instead of trying to confine ourselves to fit an imaginary and ever shifting ideal, we celebrated (and decorated) what makes us unique? This is what Wolverine Minds Matter & the Beautiful Me club […]
During the season of tricks and treats, Edison minds matter (EMM) of Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia reminded their peers that treating yourself and others well is key to creating an environment thatâs good for community mental health during their Fall Wellness Week, 10/25/22-10/28/22. Throughout EMMâs Fall Wellness Week, there were four different activities […]
The start of the school year can be exciting, overwhelming, and busy. The entire team at Our Minds Matter HQ has loved seeing how clubs have kicked off these first weeks of school with tremendous energy, ready to create space for mental health promotion. Clubs like Brookwood Minds Matter, Stratford Minds Matter, and Dolphinsâ Minds […]
Using grant support from The McLean Community Foundation, JAF supported McLean High School in putting on a Stress Less, Laugh More week during their spring semester! The activities that were put on are as follows: Monday, April 25: Students could check out Stress-O-Meter banner and pick up a “fortune” with “take a break ideas” on them during lunch […]
Thanks to a grant from The McLean Community Foundation, JAF helped provide materials and support for Longfellow MS’s 2016 Stress Less, Laugh More Week, helping students destress as SOL season and the end of the school year approaches!  Every day featured a different morning funny on the news and music played between periods, as well as […]
This past spring, students at Hayfield Secondary School and Thomas Jefferson High School made videos to help promote mental health awareness during one of the most stressful parts of the school year! In their video, Hayfield students announce the various themes for each day of their 2016 Wellness Week, all meant to help students celebrate destressing! The video made for […]
This past April, JAF supported Oakton HS in putting on its very first Mental Health Awareness Week! Here is an article in the Oakton Outlook, the school’s student newspaper, detailing what happened on each day of the week. On Monday, speaker Pablo Campos visited the school and gave a presentation on his experiences with ADHD, depression, and substance use while in high […]
With a grant from The McLean Community Foundation to support Stress Less, Laugh More campaigns in McLean-area schools, JAF supported Franklin Sherman Elementary School in putting on a series of three mental health-centered weeks: Laughter Week in April Calm Week in May Service Week in June See below for a more in-depth look into each […]
A group of Langley High School students held a bake sale, during which $460 was raised for JAF! It’s not too late to donate–click here to do so! Â
This was our seventh year running in Josh’s memory, and with over 30 runners, we were able to raise over $25,000! It’s not too late to contribute! Click here if you would like to donate! Thank you to all who supported our cause! It is with all your help that we can continue promoting mental […]
Last year, Briar Woods High School in Loudoun County put on a successful Stress Less, Laugh More Week! All week, music played in the morning as well as during the 5-minute period between blocks; the students and staff loved the music. There also were hula hoop contests, Laugh More photo booths, and mini-games (for example, […]
The 2nd Annual Joshua Ball Beautifully Showcased JAF’s Growth & Impact The 2nd Annual Joshua Ball was a huge success – with tickets selling out and JAF raising over $60,000 – almost doubling its profit from last year’s event! Over 180 people came out on the unseasonably warm evening of November 5th, 2015 to Top […]
George Mason High School in Falls Church, VA had a successful Stress Less, Laugh More week. See below for activity agenda and pictures. Tuesday, 1/20 – Benefits of Laughter Activity: “What makes you laugh?” collaborative poster Handouts: Laugh more buttons & benefits of laughter postcards Wednesday, 1/21 – Coping with Stress Activity: “How do you relieve stress?” […]
One of JAF’s initiatives is to sponsor programs that will give teens the tools they can use to help themselves. One such tool is yoga, which has been shown to provide benefits such as relieving stress, decreasing feelings of anger, and helping to find optimism amidst negative emotions. Studies have shown that even small introductions of yoga into […]
JAF was pleased to co-sponsor the Rachel’s Challenge presentation for Lake Braddock High School students on December 10, 2014. Rachel Joy Scott was the first of thirteen people who lost their lives in the Columbine shooting on April 20, 1999. The presentation was a combination of video and speaker that challenged the students to create […]
“Thank you so much for the Stress Less, Laugh More materials! We had a wonderful West Potomac Pyramid Wellness Day on December 9, and we shared the buttons and cards with the other schools in the pyramid. School counselors here greeted students as they came in the front door. We had a banner in the […]
On July 11, One World aired holistic health advocate Deepak Chopra’s interview with Lauren Anderson about The Josh Anderson Foundation and its efforts to promote youth mental wellness and prevent teenage suicide. You can view a preview of the interview here: [row] [one_half] [/one_half] [one_half] [/one_half] [/row] To watch the entire interview for $1.99, click here. […]