Hi everyone : )

In case you missed the meeting today talking about what PostSecretU is I’m going to explain it here for you have an idea of what Active Minds is doing this month with it. Let me first start off by telling you about the creator. The creator of the original PostSecret Project is Frank Warren. Frank had a “crazy” (spicy) idea in 2005. He made 3,000 postcards with simple instruction: on the side that is blank tell an anonymous secret and mail it to him. He handed out postcards randomly and it took off. People actually began to buy postcards and send them to him. He started receiving postmarks from all over the nation, then the world. He described this project as a collection of highly personal and artfully decorated postcards mailed anonymously. PostSecret (www.postsecret.com) is now the most visited advertisement-free blog in the world and there are many secrets, ranging from sexual taboos and criminal activity to confessions of secret beliefs, hidden acts of kindness, shocking habits and fears. The only other thing was Frank wanted this project to be a safe and anonymous place where people can hear unheard voices and share untold stories.

To make it close to home. PostSecretU, which is what we are doing here at SUNY College at Old Westbury, is a campus-based community art project that uses submitted secrets to unlock tremendous programming potential on a campus. This live display of secrets spark conversations, raises hidden issues important to the community, and provides direction for future programming, advocacy, and change. It is the official PostSecret event for college campuses and the only event pertaining to PostSecret that is endorsed by Frank Warren. This program is only available to Active Minds chapters. The U stands for University. You get to share any secret you want but the only rule is: No nudity, hate speech, or identifying information. PostSecretU was designed to promote mental health and foster positive campus change by providing a creative outlet for students to express their voice on campus.

You ask how you do this, huh? Here are the steps:

1. Breathe it’s okay! No one will find out your secret and it is okay to tell a big secret

2.  Pick up a PostSecretU post card. From one of the Active Minds members, when Active Minds is tabling during Common Hour in the F-Wing

3. Design you secret. Be Creative (It’s a piece of artwork)

4. Drop off your secret at the designated boxes: F-Wing, when Active Minds is tabling; Counseling Center throughout the month; CSLI Office, SU Suite 309; and the Res Life Office