IfYoureReadingThis is a national mental health nonprofit, through which students and staff from universities across the country can share a letter about their story.
Villanova, along with many other universities, sponsors a chapter of the national organization. The letters shared by Villanova students and staff get posted onto the national website, as well as the Villanova chapter’s Instagram account.
“We strive to uphold the mission of IfYoureReadingThis in creating a support community where everyone feels comfortable sharing their story, no matter where in their journey they are,” Sophia Crossan, senior and President of IfYoureReadingThis, said.
The Villanova chapter was started in Spring of 2021 by Julia Stanisci, a recent Villanova graduate. Crossan and current vice president and senior Annie Arner had the organization handed over to them when Stanisci graduated.
“When I found IfYoureReadingThis, I loved the missions and goals,” Crossan said. “I loved that people had the opportunity to empower themselves through sharing their stories, but also that they would receive support from their peers. During my time in the organization, I have worked to maintain the supportive community we have built where students feel safe and welcomed to share their story, just as I have felt.”
Students who are interested in sharing their story can submit a letter on the national IfYoureReadingThis website through the submission section located on the home page. People can also write anonymous letters, meaning their name and photo will not be attached.
“All they need to do is write their letter, and submit,” Crossan said. “We handle the editing photography portion on our end afterwards. There is continuous communication with the authors up until their letter is posted. Afterwards, we will occasionally reach out again regarding the positive feedback received from their letter, or if we have other events or opportunities they can get involved with.”
After submitting a letter, one is brought to a page where they can book a photo with senior Ally Szabo, the photographer for IfYoureReadingThis.
“My position as the photographer is unique in the way that I am the only member of the IYRT exec board that meets every single letter author,” Szabo said. “It is one of my absolute favorite parts of what I do. Being in front of a camera can be nerve wracking, which is why I take as many photos as the author would like and let them choose which ones they feel the best in. It is extremely brave to share a personal and vulnerable story, so my goal with authors’ photos is to make sure they feel confident in what they are sharing.”
Szabo likes to meet every person at the Corr Hall arch on the Campus Green for their photos since it is central to campus.
“I love starting out in the green and fountain area, I think there is so much natural beauty in that area,” Szabo said. “I like to chat with the authors to ease any nerves and let them know that this time is for them. After we take photos, I let them scroll through all of them to choose their favorites, I edit those, and then send them back for them to choose which one to post.”
Arner shared that the club is important to help spread mental health awareness on campus.
“It provides a space for people to talk about mental health in an open and honest way with or without anonymity which really illustrates the amount of people around us that struggle with it on a daily basis,” Arner said. “It helps emphasize the point that mental health is not a unique experience and many people struggle with it. The really special thing about our club is when people attach a face and a name to their story, it opens up the possibility to build community and support far more extensive than someone might have thought possible.”
Arner also shared that the Villanova chapter was recently started on campus and it has many goals for the future
“In the future we are hoping to grow participation in our club, grow our exec board and spread even more awareness of our mission,” Arner said. “We hope to make IfYoureReadingThis a well-known resource and increase involvement across the student body.”
Students can submit a letter, but can also refer a friend to write a letter. There is a letter nomination form located in the Instagram bio of the Villanova chapter of IfYourReadingThis.
“People can submit the name and contact information of someone they feel has a powerful story to share,” Crossan said. “This is completely anonymous and the recipient will not know who nominated them. Even if they choose not to write a letter, being nominated still makes them feel like they are important and their strength is being seen by others.”
The club plans to hold an open mic night to showcase letters on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Connelly Cinema.
“We are inviting people to read their letters to others, hoping to elicit feelings of community,” Arner said.
If students are interested in writing a letter, nominating a friend to write a letter or getting involved in IfYoureReadingThis, they can visit the IfYoureReadingThis website and follow the Villanova chapter on Instagram, @ifyourereadingthisnova.
