WELCOME

IfYoureReadingThis.org is a mental health nonprofit that empowers students to build and tap into their support networks by amplifying the faces and voices of the people who want to connect. Our mission is to create community around mental health, encourage radical empathy, and use peer support to bridge gaps in mental health resources.

  • David L.

    If you’re reading this, I love you.

    Read Letter

  • Molly P.

    If you’re reading this, being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others.

    Read Letter

  • Roshan B.

    If you’re reading this, give yourself grace.

    Read Letter

  • Dr. Schroeder

    If you’re reading this, know that I believe you.

    Read Letter

  • Patrick C.

    If you’re reading this, you deserve to feel like you belong.

    Read Letter

  • Emma K.

    If you’re reading this, what will your verse be?

    Read Letter

  • Kelly K.

    If you’re reading this, it’s okay to not have it all figured out.

    Read Letter

  • Aidan C.

    If you're reading this, speaking out doesn't make you less of a man.

    Read Letter

  • Anjali K.

    If you’re reading this, your mind is beautiful.

    Read Letter

  • Coach Tony Bennett

    If you’re reading this, the community here cares about you and values you.

    Read Letter

  • Alexander B.

    If you're reading this, do not be discouraged by the darkness of a tunnel.

    Read Letter

  • Julia R.

    If you're reading this, scratch the word "should" out of your vocabulary.

    Read Letter

  • Coach Dabo Swinney

    If you’re reading this, find JOY in the journey.

    Read Letter

  • Page D.

    If you’re reading this, you probably didn’t know that my dad took his own life.

    Read Letter

  • Lauren B.

    If you’re reading this, you are human.

    Read Letter

  • Faith B.

    If you’re reading this, start loving all of you.

    Read Letter

  • Emmarose S.

    If you’re reading this, listen to your body. You owe it to yourself to listen.

    Read Letter

  • Evan H.

    If you’re reading this, it’s okay to struggle with your truth.

    Read Letter

  • Athletic Director Carla Williams

    If you’re reading this, I hope you feel seen.

    Read Letter

  • Professor Straight

    If you’re reading this, I want you to know that you’re not alone and your story matters.

    Read Letter

  • Aidan B.

    If you’re reading this, everything will be okay.

    Read Letter

  • Julia P.

    If you’re reading this, your grief is not a burden.

    Read Letter

  • Amy T.

    If you’re reading this, there is hope in resilience.

    Read Letter

  • Peter S.

    If you’re reading this, you’re not weak.

    Read Letter
Read All Letters

CHOOSE YOUR CAMPUS

Community Involvement

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The “If You’re Reading This” message is simple:

    Let the people in your community know you care, that they have someone they can lean on, and that they are not alone. Through these messages, we build peer support, empathic connections, and healthier communities.

    Be loud in your support of others and of mental health.

  • If you’re reading this, you are never alone.

    Sai R.

    Villanova University

  • If you’re reading this, life is so much better with you here.

    Arianne R.

    Syracuse University

  • If you’re reading this, you matter.

    Pamela B.

    Wake Forest University

  • If you’re reading this, you are loved more than you know.

    Addie D.

    Clemson University

  • If you’re reading this, it’s okay to ask for help.

    Devan D.

    Duke University

  • If you’re reading this, you’re allowed to struggle.

    Nina G.

    Northwestern University

  • If you’re reading this, know that you are enough.

    Dr. Shepler

    Georgia Tech

Make a donation

100% of proceeds will go towards maintaining our website domain and hosting services, or supporting our student-led teams.

Purchase a stickeR

Spread mental health awareness in your community by putting one of our stickers on your laptop, water bottle, and more.

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

Our Impact

Get Involved

Write A LETTER

One of the best ways to contribute to our mission is to author your own letter. Share your story, thoughts, or support with your community today.

JOIN A CHAPTER

Each IfYoureReadingThis.org chapter is led and operated by a team of student volunteers. Get in contact with your school’s chapter to learn about their open positions.

Found A CHAPTER

If you’d like to strengthen the support network at your school and further the conversation around student mental health, consider founding a chapter at your university.

stay in touch

Enter @ifyourereadingthisfsu! Swipe to learn more about our newest chapter ✉️ Noles say hey in the comments ⬇️
“If you’re reading this, remember it is okay to take time for yourself.” Check out some of our recent letters from students across the country sharing their powerful perspectives surrounding mental health🫶🏽 Letter links in our bi
Have you gotten your @stayanotherday_ x IfYoureReadingThis hoodie yet? Available for a limited time only, 10% of proceeds from these sales will be donated to our organization. Snag yours at the link in our bio 🧠💙
"If you’re reading this, thank you for your vulnerability." Need a pick-me-up? We bet one of these author's messages will give you a boost. 💫 Letter links in our bio #IfYoureReadingThis #IYRT #MentalHealthMatters
@noahkahanmusic gets us. Read his piece for @time at the link in our bio ✍️
Read letters from Will, Hannah, Mohsin, Kelly and more at the link in our bio and on our website💌
April is SA Awareness Month, a a month honoring survivors and the community surrounding them with hope, courage and strength 💙 Funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative aims to create a coordinated community res
If you’re reading this, you deserve healthy love. Read passionate letters from One Love, Chloe, Ella Grace, Kapil, Ashley, Greyson, Fiona and Arturo on our website and at the link in our bio🔗
Even if you're lonely, you're never alone 🫂 Read more about the loneliness epidemic, how to help a friend who seems lonely, and more at www.ifyourereadingthis.org/hub/loneliness 💭 What do you want to see next from The Hub? 💡 Written by: @lauryn_l
Read Taylor’s inspiring letter reminding us the importance of taking care of ourselves first, and that we are more than the expectations placed upon us on our website and at the link in our bio💌
Today is World Bipolar Day 🧠 If you or someone you know lives with bipolar disorder, you're not alone and help is available 💙
You are not alone. Students and staff from universities all across the country are sharing their incredible stories✉️ Head to our website and the link in our bio for more.

Learn More

Want to learn more about mental health topics? We’ve broken down some frequently discussed diagnoses, treatments, and more into high-level (but still validated), easily digestible pieces.

The Hub
Why Do I Feel Different on or Near my Period?
Grief is a Journey
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Discussing Depression
Anorexia Nervosa
The Loneliness Epidemic
More Than Skin Deep
Major Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder