From the Hilltop to Capitol Hill, Saints Make Their Voices Heard

What does it take to make a difference in Washington? Members of Canterbury’s Active Minds chapter recently found out. Earlier this month, Amari H. ’27, Hudson S. ’27, Samantha “Sam” S. ’27, and Zachary “Zach” M. ’27 headed to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to support the Campus Lifeline Act (H.R. 8657).

Introduced by a bipartisan coalition earlier this year, the bill seeks to expand access to mental health crisis resources by encouraging states and schools to include the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on the back of newly issued ID cards. According to research published in JAMA, the introduction of the Lifeline in 2022 is associated with significant reductions in suicide mortality among adolescents and young adults, who disproportionately reach out to the service.

“When we learned about the initiative, we knew we wanted to do what we could to support it,” says Zach. “It was a great experience not only to visit the Capitol but to talk with people who can make real, visible change.”

The Saints, accompanied by Director of Community Life E.J. Soifersmith P ’27, ’27 and an Active Minds volunteer, first met with staffers from the offices of Connecticut Representatives Jahana Hayes and Rosa DeLauro and Massachusetts Representative Stephen Lynch. After a short ride on the Capitol’s subway system, they held another meeting with staffers from the office of Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. While meeting with congressional staff members was initially intimidating, the students say the positive response they received gradually put them at ease.

“We were able to share personal stories and how the 988 hotline can help students like us,” explains Hudson. “The staffers made us feel very comfortable and heard. It felt like just talking to a friend about my struggles.”

After their meetings, the group headed to Active Minds Hill Day + Mental Health Conference, where they heard from fellow students, mental health advocates, and Active Minds leadership about how students can make a difference in their communities. A highlight of the evening was a live recording of the She Persisted podcast, which addressed the importance and impact of the Campus Lifeline Act.

The group says the experience gave them a new appreciation for the process of passing a bill into law.

“I was shocked that something that seems so simple could take years to pass,” reflects Sam. “But after speaking with all the staffers, we felt accomplished. We realized we were making a difference.”

The trip also sparked ideas for how they could make positive changes on campus, and they returned from Washington energized by the possibilities for the 2026–2027 school year. Rather than wait for the legislation to pass, they have plans to talk to Canterbury leadership about raising awareness of the 988 Lifeline here on the hilltop.

“We’ve also begun planning a Saints on the Hill talk to discuss the trip, the legislation, and our plans for how to make our community better,” says Amari. “We want to include everyone in what's going on behind the scenes.”

Thank you to Active Minds for empowering students to speak up for their peers at Canterbury and across the country.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. When school is in session, students can visit Canterbury’s Health Center any time to speak with a counselor, receive crisis support, or connect with local mental health professionals. If you are thinking of harming yourself, get help right away by calling the 988 Lifeline or 911.