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, Trace Terrell (KSAS ’26) and Julia Wang (BSPH ’23), alongside various student groups who will be organizing activities all through the week of October 1 – 7, 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 Cart & Prize Wheel
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Homewood campus, multiple locations (it’s a cart)
Description: Catch an NAMI ambassador and the PEEPs around the Homewood campus, where they’ll have stickers, candy, NAMI swag, helpful handouts about campus resources, and a prize wheel.
Event: Meet-and-Greet
Time: 11:30 – 1:00pm
Location: East Baltimore campus, SON Hub.
Description: Catch an NAMI ambassador, Health Promotion and Well-Being (HPWB) staff, and East Baltimore (EB) Well-Being Ambassadors where they’ll have stickers, candy, NAMI swag, helpful handouts about campus resources, and a prize wheel.
Event: Dine and Discuss
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Program Room B, O’Connor Center, Homewood campus
Description: JJoin the NAMI ambassador, PEEPs, and A Place to Talk to learn about A.S.K., MTVE and Active Minds’ new “stop, drop, and roll” for how to support a friend or loved one with their mental and behavioral health. We’ll have pizza, snacks, swag, resources, and materials to make friendship bracelets.
Event: #IWillListen Mixer
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: East Baltimore campus, BSPH Gallery.
Description: Join the NAMI ambassador, HPWB staff, and EB Well-Being Ambassadors to learn about A.S.K., MTVE and Active Minds’ new “stop, drop, and roll” for how to support a friend or loved one with their mental and behavioral health. We’ll have pizza, snacks, swag, resources, and materials to make friendship bracelets.
Event: Sip & Paint
Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: Great Hall, Levering Hall, Homewood Campus
Description: Join NAMI ambassadors, PEEPs, and APTT for boba tea and slushies from Simply Sip Tea and get creative with paint to support your mental health. This event is open to all JHU learners.
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.
Food for Your Mood Crawl 2023: From October 1 through October 7, anyone who takes the pledge to listen can visit any of 13 local establishments for a discount or free item.
Take the “How to Listen” quiz: Sharpen your listening skills and up your mental health knowledge using this interactive tool.