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Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas raises awareness for those affected by mental health struggles

Mental health is an issue that affects students across college campuses, and at Illinois State University, one student organization is working to change how it’s talked about. Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS) aims to raise awareness, provide resources and build a supportive community for those affected by mental health struggles. Through education, outreach and open dialogue, SEMIS is helping students feel seen, supported and empowered. Co-president and senior elementary education major, Trinity Tokarz, spoke about some common misconceptions surrounding mental illness. “We see a lot of people misuse mental illnesses as a mood,” said Tokarz. “A lot of people will say, ‘Oh, I’m so moody today, I’m so bipolar,’ or ‘I feel like I want to kill myself’ and not actually mean it.” SEMIS focuses on correcting these misconceptions by educating students about the realities of mental illness and creating a judgment-free space where students can talk openly. ISU offers a range of mental health resources, and SEMIS regularly shares information on how to access them. These include Student Health Services, which offers counseling, medication management and timely care, Redbird Wellness, which is a wellness program within Student Services; Student Access and Accommodations, which provides mental health accommodations (including IEP and 504 plans) and Student Counseling Services, which is available 24/7, including access to an on-call counselor. Co-president and Treasurer Ashley Roberts, a senior psychology major, and Tokarz shared some resources they believe should be more well-known. “We are always putting resources at the end of our slideshows, like the ones listed previously,” said Roberts. “The Student Services does have a person on call 24 hours at any point in the day, which I think is something that people should know,” said Tokarz. In addition to formal resources, SEMIS also offers peer support and open discussions during its biweekly meetings. Each SEMIS meeting focuses on encouraging open conversation and breaking down stigma. Students attending meetings learn not just about mental illness, but also about how to support themselves and others. Vice President and senior psychology major Sabrina Will, Marketing Chairperson and sophomore psychology major Donovan Pope, and Social Media Chairperson and sophomore mass media major Kate Shugarts provided some insight into what attendees can expect to take away from the club. “I feel like a big takeaway I have is just letting people here at ISU know that you’re not alone,” said Will. “You’re not hopeless. There are people here to help you.” “It’s always going to be a learning experience coming into one of these meetings,” said Pope. “When you come into this club, you’re surrounded by people that are kinda in the same boat as you, and people will understand what you are going through,” said Shugarts. “You’re not hopeless. There are people here to help you,” said Will. SEMIS has several events and collaborations planned to continue promoting awareness and kindness on campus. These include volunteer opportunities to support community wellness, kindness notes which are written and distributed during finals to encourage students and a fall event discussing the portrayal of mental illness in horror films and how the media impacts stigmas. The organization is also planning collaborations with other clubs to expand its reach across campus. To any student who may be struggling with their mental health, SEMIS wants you to know that you are not alone. “Getting help is not weird or silly,” Roberts said. “It’s something that will help you, and it’s very strong of someone to want to go and get help.” “You're not alone,” Shugarts added. “Counselors are not as scary as you think,” said Pope. “They are there to help, and it’s their job, so don’t be afraid.” “I would say the thing that I feel like I’ve taken out the most out of this experience, and I hope everyone does, is the community aspect,” said Pope. “Being able to engage and be respected is always so important. Students interested in SEMIS are invited to attend meetings, held every other Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Schroeder Hall, Room 104. Meeting information and events are shared via @semis.isu on Instagram and through Redbird Life.
ANDREW DOBRA | News and Features Reporter | Thu, Oct 2, 2025

Mental health is an issue that affects students across college campuses, and at Illinois State University, one student organization is working to change how it’s talked about.

Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS) aims to raise awareness, provide resources and build a supportive community for those affected by mental health struggles. Through education, outreach and open dialogue, SEMIS is helping students feel seen, supported and empowered. Co-president and senior elementary education major, Trinity Tokarz, spoke about some common misconceptions surrounding mental illness.

“We see a lot of people misuse mental illnesses as a mood,” said Tokarz. “A lot of people will say, ‘Oh, I’m so moody today, I’m so bipolar,’ or ‘I feel like I want to kill myself’ and not actually mean it.”

SEMIS focuses on correcting these misconceptions by educating students about the realities of mental illness and creating a judgment-free space where students can talk openly.

ISU offers a range of mental health resources, and SEMIS regularly shares information on how to access them. These include Student Health Services, which offers counseling, medication management and timely care, Redbird Wellness, which is a wellness program within Student Services; Student Access and Accommodations, which provides mental health accommodations (including IEP and 504 plans) and Student Counseling Services, which is available 24/7, including access to an on-call counselor.

Co-president and Treasurer Ashley Roberts, a senior psychology major, and Tokarz shared some resources they believe should be more well-known.

“We are always putting resources at the end of our slideshows, like the ones listed previously,” said Roberts.

“The Student Services does have a person on call 24 hours at any point in the day, which I think is something that people should know,” said Tokarz.

In addition to formal resources, SEMIS also offers peer support and open discussions during its biweekly meetings. 

Each SEMIS meeting focuses on encouraging open conversation and breaking down stigma. Students attending meetings learn not just about mental illness, but also about how to support themselves and others.

Vice President and senior psychology major Sabrina Will, Marketing Chairperson and sophomore psychology major Donovan Pope, and Social Media Chairperson and sophomore mass media major Kate Shugarts provided some insight into what attendees can expect to take away from the club.

“I feel like a big takeaway I have is just letting people here at ISU know that you’re not alone,” said Will. “You’re not hopeless. There are people here to help you.”

“It’s always going to be a learning experience coming into one of these meetings,” said Pope.

“When you come into this club, you’re surrounded by people that are kinda in the same boat as you, and people will understand what you are going through,” said Shugarts.

“You’re not hopeless. There are people here to help you,” said Will.

SEMIS has several events and collaborations planned to continue promoting awareness and kindness on campus. These include volunteer opportunities to support community wellness, kindness notes which are written and distributed during finals to encourage students and a fall event discussing the portrayal of mental illness in horror films and how the media impacts stigmas.

The organization is also planning collaborations with other clubs to expand its reach across campus.

To any student who may be struggling with their mental health, SEMIS wants you to know that you are not alone.

“Getting help is not weird or silly,” Roberts said. “It’s something that will help you, and it’s very strong of someone to want to go and get help.”

“You're not alone,” Shugarts added.

“Counselors are not as scary as you think,” said Pope. “They are there to help, and it’s their job, so don’t be afraid.”

“I would say the thing that I feel like I’ve taken out the most out of this experience, and I hope everyone does, is the community aspect,” said Pope. “Being able to engage and be respected is always so important.

Students interested in SEMIS are invited to attend meetings, held every other Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Schroeder Hall, Room 104. Meeting information and events are shared via @semis.isu on Instagram and through Redbird Life.

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