Listening can be one of the most powerful ways to support someone facing mental health challenges. The #IWillListen campaign encourages open and honest conversations about mental health. It brings together college campuses, workplaces, and other communities to start conversations, learn more about mental illness, and to understand what stigma is and how to overcome it. The campaign is organized by NAMI Metro Baltimore, which has engaged college campuses in the Baltimore area since 2016, and Johns Hopkins University is proud to be one of these partners.
This year, we have two NAMI Campus Ambassadors, Stephanie Rodriguez-Andrade, KSAS Public Health Studies and Psychology (2025), and Nishika Solanki, KSAS Neuroscience (2027), alongside various student groups who will be organizing activities all through the week of October 7 – 11, on the Homewood and the East Baltimore campuses. The campaign’s goal is to encourage students to break down the stigma of mental illness and pledge to be listeners in their communities.
We invite you to come take part in our week of activities! The schedule of events is below:
Event: Well-Being on Wheels (Homewood)
Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Keyser Quad
Description: Come learn about NAMI #IWillListen Week, events you can attend, and resources available at JHU!
Event: JHU/ NAMI #IWillListen Well-Being on Wheels (East Baltimore)
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Location: SON Hub, BSPH lobby, and PCTB lobby
Description: Learn about the NAMI #IWillListen campaign. We’ll have stickers, candy, NAMI swag, and helpful handouts about campus resources.
Event: Dine and Discuss (Homewood)
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Ralph S. O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being Meeting Room A
Description: Meet with a NAMI Campus Ambassador, Health Promotion & Well-Being staff, and peers to eat some food and discuss mental health in the life of a JHU student.
Event: JHU/NAMI #IWillListen Dine & Discuss (East Baltimore)
Time: 5:00pm- 7:00pm
Location: BSPH 9th Floor
Description: Join the NAMI ambassador, HPWB staff, and EB Well-Being Ambassadors to learn about active listening and how to support someone who is struggling with emotional and mental health. We’ll have pizza, snacks, swag, resources, and materials to make friendship bracelets.
Event: Mindful Yoga
Time: 5:00pm- 6:00pm
Location: Multipurpose Room B, O’Connor Center, Homewood campus
Description: Mindful Yoga helps participants to relax and center themselves through mindful movement. No prior yoga experience is required. Brought to you by the O’Connor Center and Mental Health services, this class is open to all Hopkins affiliates. You do not have to have an O’Connor Center membership to participate. (Can’t make the event? Check out these yoga videos from the same instructor.)
Event: Paint and Sip (Homewood)
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Ralph S. O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being Meeting Room A
Description: Join a NAMI Campus Ambassador and Health Promotion & Well-Being Staff to get creative and paint to support your mental health.
Event: JHU/NAMI #IWillListen Supportive Art & Sip (East Baltimore)
Time: 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Location: School of Nursing, Room N231
Description: Join a JHU/ NAMI ambassador, HPWB staff, and EB Well-Being Ambassadors for an outlet for creativity, support, and sips featuring boba tea from Simply Sip Tea and paint on canvas to support your mental health.
Take the #IWillListen pledge: Complete and share a short form to show your online community that you’re ready to listen if someone needs it.
Take the “How to Listen” quiz: Sharpen your listening skills and up your mental health knowledge using this interactive tool.