Our Impact

8 years

We are fortunate to have been hosting open letters of support for more than eight years and we look forward to many more.

1000+ letters

More than one thousand students and faculty have written heartfelt messages of support, camaraderie, and understanding to their university communities

300,000+ Unique readers

The number of people we have been able to impact is entirely attributable to the hard work of our volunteers and the participation of our authors.

200+ volunteers

Everything we do is powered by our volunteers, from our student teams doing the work on campus, to our Board members advising them.

Updated February 2025

In The Community

Open Mic Night

In October 2024, the Villanova chapter hosted its first Open Mic Night to provide authors an additional opportunity to share their stories with the community. The event was open to the Villanova community and was filled with love and support for those sharing their journeys.
Flowers for Finals

To brighten students’ days during finals week and provide a calming mental health break from studying, our SMU team partnered with Le Bloom Dallas to host a free bouquet making event to end the Spring 2024 semester. Students gathered to connect, create, and de-stress.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Panel

In April 2024, some of our Villanova team members served on a Mental Health & Wellbeing panel during the Villanova Admitted Students Day to offer support, advice, and insights to incoming students.
Connections & Community Speak Out

In April 2024, our University of Michigan chapter partnered with CAPS, the Wolverine Support Network, and Mentality Magazine to host speakers and build a physical chain of qualities that connected the attendees.
Pass It On

At the University of Virginia, our team’s chalk boards serve as a way for ‘Hoos to leave uplifting messages to their classmates. Placed on the central Lawn, they provide a physical and visual reminder that the community around them cares.
5K Run for Mental Health

In October 2023, our SMU chapter partnered with Exercise is Medicine to host a 5K run in support of mental health. Through this event they raised awareness as well as funds to donate to the JED Foundation.
Unwind Your Mind

In both 2022 and 2023, our Georgia Tech chapter has hosted a night of live music and free dinner at the Historic Fourth Ward Park Amphitheater in Atlanta. This concerts serves as their reminder that having fun and relaxing is a crucial part of our mental health.
Voices of UVA

In April 2018, our founder Alexandra (Pentel) Lawlor spoke at The University of Virginia’s Voices of UVA TED-Talk Event. In her talk, she shared why mental health matters, the case for peer support, and how we can upkeep our mental health daily.
Volley Ball Tournament

In October of 2023, our SMU chapter partnered with Sigma Nu to host a volleyball tournament to spread mental health awareness on campus. From the event, they were able to raise over $8,500 for Mental Health America.
Take One Leave One

In March 2024, our Washington State University team spread positivity on campus by hosting a “take what you need, leave what you want others to hear” style event for students to encourage each other.
Mental Health in Public Health

In March 2024, our Boston University team partnered with Mental Health Public Health Connections to host a workshop at the Boston University School of Public Health.
Soak A SNU

In loving memory of their brother William Andrew Collins, Sigma Nu at Georgia Tech hosted a philanthropic event benefitting the Andrew Collins Project and IfYoureReadingThis at GT in March of 2021.
Student Advocacy

In May 2019, our University of Virginia chapter was invited to speak to the Board of Visitors. There, they presented the current status of student mental health on Grounds and provided key suggestions for the governing body to implement.
Slices of Luck

Our University of Virginia team handed out “slices of luck” around the UVA libraries during the December 2023 finals season. Passing out pizza and paper flyers reminded students to take a break and take care of their bodies and minds during stressful times.
Battle of the Bands

In 2018, Xi Chapter of Theta Chi hosted its annual philanthropy event, The Battle of The Bands. Local bands competed, and proceeds from the event were donated to IfYoureReadingThis at UVA, Own Our Own, and NAMI.
Giving Tuesday

In November 2023, our Boston College team collected letters written by students to their peers expressing themes of thankfulness and gratitude. They then delivered these letters to dorms on Giving Tuesday.
Adorning Campus

In November 2023, our Georgia Tech team left messages of encouragement to lift morale with the season change. By chalking around campus, students left physical reminders to their peers that the people around them are there to support them.
Wellness Fair

Our Boston University team helped out at the BU School of Medicine Wellness fair in January 2024. In addition to educating students about mental health resources on campus, they collected messages on post-it notes in a "take what you need, leave what you want others to hear" method.

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The Busyhead ACTION Village

at Noah Kahan’s we’ll all be here forever tour

IfYoureReadingThis was one of the mental health resources invited to be a part of the Busyhead Project Action Village at Noah Kahan’s We’ll All Be Here Forever North American Tour. The Busyhead Project aims to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and democratize resources by partnering with local mental health organizations across the country. Our team members spoke to concert-goers across the country, from NYC to Denver, about creating community around mental health.

Watch the video

Stay Another Day

Clothing collaboration

IfYoureReadingThis partnered with Stay Another Day, an apparel brand that aims to promote mental health awareness, to release a limited edition collection. Our collaboration was born from our shared mission to increase conversation around mental health and decrease suicide rates. Wearers of the IYRTxSAD collaboration serve as a physical reminder to their communities to stay another day. Each hoodie has the National Suicide Hotline printed on the inside sleeve.

Testimonials

Malcolm Stewart, Student

“You all should be extremely proud of yourselves and the work that has been put into this. You're changing lives for the better and talking about the tough stuff, which UVA struggles to do far too often.” via email
Professor Rick Mayes

“I greatly appreciate this website and wish it had existed when I was in college and graduate school. I share it with my UVA classes every semester. Thank you for curating it.” via email
Dr. Lillian Mezey, Psychiatrist

“Lillian Mezey, the associate director of psychiatric services in UVA’s Counseling and Psychological Services office, said sharing stories is a very powerful way for people to take ownership of their narratives. In turn, when students get positive feedback and thanks for stepping outside their comfort zone by, for example, writing a piece on If You’re Reading This, it is very good for mental health because it feels good to help others.” via UVA Today
Kendall Palazzi, Student

“[IfYoureReadingThis] makes me feel less alone, and has been a constant in my life that keeps me grounded.” via Instagram
Gabrielle Pack, Student

“This organization is so impactful and meaningful. Reading through others stories has been so helpful to me with what I have struggled with myself.” via email
Sara Zahir, Student

“You guys really give an incredible service to the university and truly make our community brighter.” via email
Alex Gogo, Student

“Your organization's commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and support for individuals from all walks of life resonates with me profoundly.” via email
Morgan Dailey, Student

“Today and everyday I am thankful for the people and community that Clemson has graciously given me. They are encouraging, consistent, and have always felt like home to me. My friends have been by my side through many ups and downs of college.
I am also thankful for a platform that supports the same message. That each individual is loved, seen, and supported, amidst any obstacle life may bring and is worth immeasurably more that you could ever imagine.” via email
Holland Mowry, Student

“I stumbled upon IfYoureReadingThis.org earlier today, read some of the letters, clicked off the website, and carried on with my day. However, as my day progressed, I found that the testimonies, messages and purposes behind this organization struck something within me.” via email
Megan Ellis, Student

“Your page was recently brought to my attention, and I think it is such an awesome source of support for those struggling with mental illness.” via email

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In the press

2024

‘IfYoureReadingThis’ Creates a Student-led Space on Campus for Mental Health

The Daily Orange | January 21

Empowering Students and Physicians in the Realm of Wellness

American Osteopathic Association | January 25

Clemson Students Co-lead Letter Writing Initiative Focused on Mental Health, Well-being

Clemson University News | February 1

IfYoureReadingThis: Student-led Mental Health Resource Offers Fresh Perspectives

Old Gold & Black Volume 110, No. 12 | March 21

2023

“If You’re Reading This” Advocating for Mental Health on SU Campus

Citrus TV | October 22

‘If You’re Reading This NU’ Aims to Destigmatize Mental Health Sstruggles, Create Networks of Connection

The Daily Northwestern | January 22

2022

IfYoureReadingThis Collaboration

Mentality Magazine | September 18

Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness: Spotlighting “If You’re Reading This BC”

The Boston College Gavel | March 22

IfYoureReadingThis.org: Support Comes First!

TakeCareStudy.com

2021

Mental Health Initiative IfYoureReadingThis.org at VU

The Villanovan | March 24

If You’re Reading This Launches WFU chapter

Old Gold & Black | September 16

2019

Student-Created Mental Health Forum Erases Stigma of Depression, One Post a Time

UVA Today | October 23

2017

IfYoureReadingThis founder speaks at Voices of UVA event

The University of Virginia | May 8

'If You're Reading This' shines light on mental health

The Cavalier Daily | April 10

UVA secret society The 21 Society recognizes IfYoureReadingThis “as a project that started this past fall and came to fruition this semester, [and has] already made a difference at this University”

The 21 Society | March 21

Press Contact

If you’re a member of the media and would like to get in touch with us for information or an interview, give us a shout at jkstanisci@gmail.com.