Chapter Network
Medical Minds Matter hopes to spread its vision to undergraduate institutions, medical schools, residency programs, and healthcare workplaces across the nation. Chapters are a perfect way for members of the medical community to be able to support and connect with their peers, advocate for change in their communities, and spread awareness about mental health in the medical field!
Medical Minds Matter Chapter Goals
- Grassroots Advocacy: Empowering members of the medical community to be able to advocate for the mental wellness of themselves and their peers by spearheading initiatives and making change in their community in a responsible manner.
- Community Building: Supporting peers and creating a welcoming environment for those with mental health issues through wellness-related events and programs.
- Education and Awareness: Promoting mental health literacy and dismantling stigma towards mental health in the field of medicine.
Resources Provided
- Chapter Handbook: a go-to guide on how to effectively run a chapter program at your institution!
- Advocacy Guide: a manual on how to make change to the system in your community and cultivate wellness, ideas included.
- Programming: workshops, support groups, strategy meetings, and other events.
Chapter List:
- University of Connecticut, Storrs (MMM@UConn)
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine (MMM@UConnSOM)
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (MMM@LKSOM)
- Rutgers University – New Brunswick (MMM@Rutgers)
Achievements:
- 4 chapters chartered at the medical school and undergraduate level
- 19 events and meetings held
- ~19 hours of chapter-related programming
- ~145 total aggregate attendees to chapter-related programming
- 125 responses to our chapter survey
- 7 initiatives being spearheaded in collaboration with administration, including: a big-little pre medical mentorship program, a podcast series, incorporating crisis numbers on the back of ID cards, mental health literacy workshop at medical school orientation, and more.
FAQs
Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Medical Students, Residents and professionals who hope to join our movement can create a Medical Minds Matter Chapter in order to facilitate advocacy efforts in their institution or workplace. Peer-led chapters fundraise for Medical Minds Matter efforts, host awareness events and meetings, provide a safe space to support peers, and promote wellness in their communities through grassroots advocacy.
Similar to other clubs and organizations focusing on education and advocacy, affiliate-led chapters work to spearhead wellness-themed initiatives, presentations, and events. They can actively collaborate with school or hospital administrators to improve existing wellness curriculums, policies, or support programs in order to cultivate a mentally healthier community. They have an opportunity to participate in leadership and advocacy workshops, as well as any research opportunities held by the National organization.
Chapters require a founding cohort of at least 3 members. Chapters in educational institutions additionally require a faculty advisor and must establish official student group status in their school. To learn more please email medicalmindsmatter@gmail.com
We believe that starting early and focusing on the future of medicine is vital in our efforts to transform medical culture! Pre-medical students, medical students, PA students, nursing students, and other health professions are welcome!
The medical journey can be overwhelming, and having a network of support and advocacy is key for a fulfilling experience that promotes collaboration, wellness, and professional development.
We recognize that there may be other mental health or medical focused clubs on campus, and encourage active collaboration with those student organizations, as well as your university’s counseling center, in order to offer the best value to your campus community!
We recognize that there may be other mental health focused organizations in your campus or workplace, and encourage active collaboration with those groups in order to offer the best value to your community!
We encourage you to explore the existing options at your institution, finding out more about what they can offer and what you can offer as well! Mental Health is a collaborative advocacy area, and leveraging partnerships to supplement each other’s efforts can prove to be a valuable strategy to make change and support your community’s wellness.
No, there are no costs associated with setting up or maintaining chapter status with Medical Minds Matter. We do not want to prevent participation by imposing membership fees. However, we encourage each chapter to set fundraising goals to support the cause, and even have a tiered rewards program (coming soon!) for those that achieve certain fundraising milestones!