EP21: The Mental Health Revolution: Changing the Conversation with Alison Malmon

When I met Alison Malmon a few months ago at a dinner party she
was an understated, new-to-town, mom-of-three… who
was also a totally inspiring leader in the movement
to de-stigmatize mental health nationwide.


I was amazed by her humility, and brilliance, as she spoke
about starting a nonprofit, Active Minds, 15 years ago in the
aftermath of her brother’s suicide.  She’s a total
powerhouse, driven by her desire to change the conversation
about mental health and truly save lives.  


Her work is so deeply needed, her stories very honest and real,
and her passion palpable.


Please listen and share.  Let’s help break the
silence, and end the shame, around mental health.



We talk about:



Her brother’s suicide and how she dealt with it

Creating a movement through her work

The power of storytelling

Her definition of leadership and what it really takes

How to talk about mental health in ways that really help

Motherhood and leadership





Other episodes for you to enjoy:




How you can make a difference

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More about Alison and Active Minds:  




Connect with Alison, read real stories, find support, or get
involved in this important work at http://activeminds.org/


Alison Malmon is the founder and Executive Director of Active
Minds, Inc., the leading national organization that uses
students as the driving force to change the perception about
mental health on college campuses. Active Minds engages tens of
thousands of student leaders nationwide and promotes a unified
national voice for young adults in the mental health awareness
movement.


Alison formed the organization following the suicide of her
only sibling, twenty-two year old brother Brian Malmon. Wanting
to combat the stigma that had caused her brother to suffer in
silence and ultimately take his own life, she created a group
on her campus at the University of Pennsylvania that promoted
an open, enlightened dialogue around the issues.


Alison has been named a “Top 15 Global Emerging Social
Innovator,” Washingtonian of the Year, and a Woman of
Distinction by the American Association of University Women.
She has also received the Destigmatization Award from the
National Council of Behavioral Healthcare, Tipper Gore Remember
the Children Award, inaugural Young Leadership Award from the
National Mental Health Research Association (NARSAD), and more.
Alison has been profiled as a “Person you Should Know” on CNN,
and in stories in the New York Times, Washington Post, Inside
Higher Ed, and Glamour Magazine.


In addition to her work at Active Minds, Alison sits on the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Consumer/Survivor
Subcommittee, Suicide Prevention Resource Center Steering
Committee, and Crisis Text Line Advisory Committee.


She is the mother of three young girls, and in her spare time,
Alison loves flying 23ft in the air at the Trapeze School in
Washington, DC.



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