Drew University

My objectives for this project were to have college students learn about current mental health policy concerning H.R. 721 and engage in a workshop on how to engage in issue advocacy.I gave a Ted Talk about mental health policy and issue advocacy. I also ran a workshop that educated college students on mental health research and how to convey to lawmakers that mental health is important. Increasing policy advocacy in college students conveys the message that we can change the world and politics doesn’t stop on election day. My event served as a call to action to get the audience involved in issue advocacy year-round. I did meet my goal by getting a proclamation signed by the governor to bring awareness to Brain Awareness Week and getting college students engaged in issue advocacy by emailing their representatives to support H.R. 721. For the workshop, attendees left positive reviews expressing that they felt motivated to engage in issue advocacy due to my project.

It helped bring the community together. Between the Ted Talk and the workshop, I was able to promote issue advocacy and mental health policy to 100 people. The impact is sustained as workshop attendees gained access to a road map to issue advocacy where I gave them the tools to empower themselves to create their own issue advocacy project.

Yes, it was helpful. I don’t have any suggestions for future content.