Active Minds at Lake Land College student club is a chapter of the national organization Active Minds. This chapter was created at Lake Land to allow a way for students to meet and work together in the pursuit of raising awareness for mental illness. Because this club is not only a club, but a national chapter, there are networking opportunities with 800+ universities and colleges across the nation.
Learn More about Active Minds national organization
Basic V-A-R® is Active Minds’ everyday guide for helping other students who may be experiencing mental health issues. It’s about showing up for one another in everyday struggles. The letters V-A-R correspond to three steps: Validate, Appreciate and Refer. The steps are easy-to-understand, easy-to-do, and easy-to-remember. The V-A-R training provides a guide to listening and responding in a helpful way.
This three-step approach give students the skills they need to know what to say and do in those difficult moments. A conversation that includes the elements of “Validate, Appreciate, and Refer” is one that allows you to actively listen to someone you care about and help them cope. A conversation with you could make all the difference and prevent a crisis from developing later. With V-A-R, Active Minds lets everyone know that someone doesn’t need to be in a crisis to seek help; you don’t have to be an expert to provide help; and help can come in many different forms. Being there for someone in a moment of need is what it’s all about.
If you are interested in being part of Active Minds at Lake Land College or would like more information on V-A-R Training, please contact Student Life or email the club advisor, Tom Moll at tmoll@lakelandcollege.edu, phone 217-234-5380, Ellie Haskett at ehaskett@lakelandcollege.edu, phone 217-234-5259 or Wally Rubin, vrubin@lakelandcollege.edu, phone 217-234-5383.