Counseling services, along with Active Minds, hosted The Clothes Line Project April 11 in Exhibit Hall.  

Active Minds is a national student led organization that promotes strong mental health and believes in the benefits of counseling.  The Clothes Line Project event was free and open to all students.

Plain T-shirts and fabric paint were provided, so students could create their own individual shirt to express their feelings on domestic violence and personal strength. 

A combination of inspirational messages and positive pictures were painted on the shirts by each of the students.  Once the shirts are completed and dried they will be hung across the ceiling of the Union lobby to be put on display.  

“Our hope is to bring awareness to students about mental and physical abuse.  There are people that can help and counseling can be very effective and helpful after someone has gone through a traumatic situation,” said Ashley Medford, a clinical counselor for counseling services and the advisor for Active Minds.  “Our events are meant to inspire people and help promote counseling services as a supportive way to work through your problems.”     

Active Minds became a campus-approved organization this spring and this is the first event they have hosted.  There are 325 Active Minds chapters at various campuses across the nation.  Later this year they plan to host “Take Back the Night.”  This event will be in collaboration with Greensboro College and Bennett

College and will consist of a student and faculty march beginning at Murphy Hall and ending at the Memorial Student Union.  The march will signify taking a stand against sexual abuse.  It will count toward community service hours and there will be a short program following the walk.

“I feel that there is a stigma in the African American community when it comes to counseling and therapy,” said Calena Creft, an A&T graduate and a member of Active Minds. 

“It’s as if people are afraid to talk about it, but counseling is nothing to be ashamed of.  Active Minds tries to bring awareness to certain issues that may be considered taboo and show that they are ok to talk about.

The event was publicized around campus in the form of flyers.  The members of Active Minds hope to make their events annual and bring more awareness across the college campuses in Greensboro.  There are currently only ten members of the A&T chapter of Active Minds; however, students are encouraged to get involved by signing up in Murphy Hall.      

“I chose to join Active Minds because I believe in what it stands for.  It gives students an outlet to vent or speak about whatever may be bothering them,” said Ashley Blanton, an A&T graduate and member of Active Minds.  “Keeping suppressed feelings inside is so dangerous and mentally exhausting.  Everyone needs an outlet at some point.”         

• Jessica Grissom