Name: Emily Menendez
Major: Telecommunications
Hometown: Davie, FL
As one of the many co-president’s on the Stronger than Stigma™ executive board, Emily Menendez is a leader who has persevered and just started using the word ‘strong’ to describe herself after making it through tough times. She remains positive about life and all the the things she hopes to do in the future while also making the most of her time here at UF and growing with the Stronger than Stigma™ club.
Her Campus: What is Stronger than Stigma™ ?
Emily Menendez: “Stronger than Stigma (STS)™ is a safe place where students can talk about their mental illness struggles and how it’s affecting them at UF. Many students actually don’t know how to talk about it or deal with their mental illness. They either think they’re a freak, or they can’t build a life. Having people to relate to, not only the board members, but also other students who can be from the same classes or even the same town, students can build connections and a support group.”
HC: Many young adults especially in college deal with mental illness, with the first year being a transition period for many, what are some ways UF helps with this change?
EM: “The college experience is really stressful. There’s a class called, ‘What’s the Good Life’, that helps first year students transition into college. It’s not a traditional class but one where they’re talking about topics such as, resources, time management and stress management – these are things to ease the transition and make it as smooth as possible. I think it’s great to create a space for those who have mental illness can come and talk. Back home parents would have been a huge support system, now they don’t necessarily have that; here they’re just trying to figure out life in a new town and all the elements of college and dealing with mental illness just makes it harder. That just makes our club that more important.”
HC: What kind of events is the organization involved in, on campus and locally?
EM: “We of course have general body meetings. Recently we did a collaboration with the Museum of Science & History Jacksonville, where a panel of different doctors came and talked about mental illness. We also try to collaborate with other organizations that share similar messages, like by participating in awareness walks”
HC: STS has a pretty strong online presence, why is reaching out to people struggling via the internet important?
EM: “On the internet people are a bit more vulnerable. It’s less intimidating, you get deeper answers and people aren’t as ashamed or afraid. The screen can be a bad thing too though, it’s not a face to face interaction but at least it’s a step forward in order to help that person with their struggles.”
HC: Where can people struggling with mental illness go to find help?
EM: “Our club obviously, but on campus there’s the Wellness Center where you can get counseling and at Peabody Hall there’s the care center where you go and talk to somebody about mental illness. Let’s say you have a roommate or a friend struggling and you’re not sure what to do, you can send an anonymous email to the care center and they’ll send an anonymous email to the person struggling asking how they’re doing and how their transition is going and letting them know that they’re always there to talk. Roommate wise, you can always go to your RA, but that’s not confidential. There are CIC’s that are confidential though. Overall, it’s really important to have a space where those who struggle in silence can bring out their best selves, speak their mind and feel comfortable in what they call home.”
Photo Credits: Stronger than Stigma™