Michaela Gaffke / Winonan

Students at Winona State University can become part of the fight to end stigma behind mental health by submitting their stories to the Mental Health Monologues, taking place in Winona on the weekend of April 21.

The Mental Health Monologues is an event where students, faculty and other community members share stories of their mental illnesses. They can either share their own stories on stage, or there is a group of volunteers who share stories of others’ with their consent.

The student mental health awareness club, Active Minds, is hosting the event. They put on the event two years ago, sharing 30 people’s mental health stories.

President of Active Minds, Hannah Moczynski, said the first Mental Health Monologues was extremely powerful, inspiring and moving.

“After the show I decided to write my own story, and I had wished I could have submitted it for the event, and a lot of people told me they felt that same way. You walk out feeling powerful, because most stories ended in resiliency, about them beating it or having beaten their illnesses,” Moczynski said.

Active Minds is hoping to host the event Saturday, April 22. They are hoping to have the event off campus at Blooming Grounds or a similar place, but will host it on campus if they cannot get the venue.

Currently, Active Minds is taking in submissions of stories, gathering volunteers to share stories, and advertising the event around campus.

“If you are looking for a sign to get out of your comfort zone, this is it,” Moczynski said. “You will never grow if you don’t get out of your comfort zone. Just stay brave, stay courageous, because you do matter, and people want to hear your story, because people do care about you.”

By Michaela Gaffke