ACTV Minds Holds 16th Annual Stomp Out the Stigma

On Monday night, April 27, Active Minds held its 16th annual Stomp Out the Stigma event. Continuing its status as the largest student-run event of the year, over 700 students and faculty members filed into Lamport Hall for an evening dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health within the community. 

Nachshoni Rothenberg (YC ‘26), Active Minds co-president alongside Ruti Frohlich (SCW ‘26) and Yehuda Schmutter (SSSB ‘26), opened the night by pointing out the significance of showing up to this event, and the message that act conveys. Addressing the room, he said, “We are here not as audience members, but as participants in this community.” Rothenberg then introduced President Ari Berman to share a few words about the night’s theme.

Through an analysis of the words of Tehillim, Berman affirmed the belief that the moments in which we feel most fractured are when connection is most possible. Berman spoke to the holiness created within an open community, explaining that allowing ourselves to be seen in our struggles is what draws us closer to God and to each other. It is upon this foundation that Berman expressed his gratitude for the three student speakers of the night whose vulnerability enabled the sacred deepening of the community.

Before introducing the student speaker segment of the night, Schmutter built on Berman’s remarks by expressing that their contribution extends beyond the stories themselves; rather, it is their willingness to share them that opens up a larger space for conversation. He then introduced a surprise speaker, a YC ‘10 graduate who had spoken about his struggles with Tourette syndrome and OCD at one of YU’s first Stomp Out the Stigma events. 

He reflected on how meaningful it had been to share his story that night, and on the freedom and confidence it instilled in him moving forward in life. He shared his accomplishments since then, including his ability to perform for large crowds regularly, as well as his ability to now help guide others through his career as a mental health psychologist.

Liaison Shoshana Fischer (SCW ‘26) introduced the first student speaker who spoke about her struggle with anorexia, tracing its roots in anxiety and describing its serious physical and psychological consequences. She shared her experience with depression, struggling with dissociative disorder, suicidal ideation and self-harm. She explained how she owes her life to the three words: “I need help.” The speaker shared her story of eventual recovery: through hard work, a semester at an eating disorder treatment facility and regular therapy. She did not shy away from the reality of relapse, underscoring that healing is not always linear. As a message of hope to anyone struggling, she told the audience, “My journey with ED nearly killed me, but the journey to recovery left me more alive than I’ve ever been.”

The next student speaker, introduced by liaison Selma Spinner (SCW ‘27), opened up about her anxiety and OCD. She explained their connection to ADHD and the depression they inflicted, as well as the guilt and pain that complicated her relationship with God. Through her story, the speaker stressed how essential a healthy relationship with oneself is as a foundation for relationships with others. She shared that through medication and intensive therapy, she was able to reclaim a sense of agency over her mental health. Reflecting on her intent in sharing her story, the speaker told the audience, “I will never get my story back; a piece of it belongs to each of you.”

Liaison Dani Minkove (YC ‘26) then introduced the final student speaker who shared his story of suffering from a severe case of long COVID that ultimately sent him to the hospital with lasting neurological effects. He described the symptoms he experienced, including brain fog, emotional numbness and suffocation, as well as the heavy depression it plunged him into. He delved into the spiritual struggle of not understanding why this was happening to him and wondering if it was a punishment for mistakes his suffering memory couldn’t even recall. Through his healing journey, he shared how he learned that the capacity to feel deeply, and even the ability to cry, is a gift that should not be taken for granted. Reflecting on post-traumatic growth, the student remarked, “You don’t need to be grateful for trauma, but be proud of your accomplishments and the growth that it enabled.” At the conclusion of his speech, the student made a Birkat Hagomel, thanking God for his recovery, to which the entire room had the opportunity to respond amen. 

Frohlich closed the event by thanking all participants and expressing her hope for the night’s lasting influence. Comparing the sharing of these stories to the spreading of light, she said, “I pray you leave this event seeing something better: yourself, a sense of hope or just a realization that you are not alone.” As the audience filed out, students were invited to write personal messages to each of the three speakers expressing what their stories meant to them or how they resonated. Reflecting on the event afterward, Frohlich shared with The Commentator that “the moment Stomp Out the Stigma was over, I was already flooded with so many messages from students — some of whom were going through the same struggles as our speakers but with no one to speak with, others who walked out of the event with more sensitivity and some who simply were inspired. Our speakers moved each person in the crowd, not only through their stories, but also through their courage and presence. I am so proud of each one of them and the impact they have made.” As Lamport Hall emptied, what remained was not just the words spoken, but what those words made possible: a community slightly more willing to see, listen and support one another through struggle.

Photo Credit: Selma Spinner

Photo Caption: President Berman speaking at Stomp Out the Stigma