Kennesaw State nonprofit management and leadership certificate student Jenna Melton recently began her journey turning a personal happiness and mental health blog into a registered student organization.
“What Makes Me Happy” is an online-only motivational community Melton created in 2016 while on hiatus from college. Once realizing how much she could have benefited from such a space, Melton created the blog to encourage underclassmen transitioning into college.
“I’ve been that 18,19, 20-year-old where I struggled to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Melton said. “All I want to do is be the friend that I needed when I was their age.”
Melton’s friendliness encouraged her to distribute her phone number to students wanting to reach out. She explained she has always been there for friends in need.
Even with so much accessibility, Melton felt the community needed a stronger presence on campus. While transportation or internet access may not be an issue for most, no one should have to go to great lengths to find the care “What Makes Me Happy” can provide, Melton said.
“The support has been amazing,” Melton said. “It’s brought me to tears several times actually. Everyone’s agreeing that there’s a need for it. It’s enlightening,”
She does not allow those who disagree with her purpose to stop her mission. Melton believes opposition only encourages her more to pursue the space she will soon offer.
Melton said the upcoming club hopes to have focus groups based on mental illnesses as they are needed. She plans to use the gatherings of “What Makes Me Happy” as a conversation space to discuss mental health and struggles students face.
“We’re actually looking to do a podcast to talk about mental illness — the good things, the bad, the personal sides of it — because the first way to break any stigma is to talk about it,” Melton said.
She is confident that bringing students together to explore triumph from hardships will reveal just how much no one is alone.
“I don’t mind talking about certain personal experiences because I know it’s going to inspire someone and do some good,” Melton said. “I don’t mind talking about issues because someone’s got to talk about it and if that means me airing out my own dirty laundry to do it then so be it.”
Any response from students is most rewarding, Melton said. She was humble in admitting her inbox was flooded with people thanking her.
When asked what makes her happy, Melton noted that during a family emergency she focused on the beauty of the Florida landscape and the senses that enabled her to do so.
Melton hopes to inspire students to be compassionate about caring for one another and treating themselves kindly.
“You deserve it,” Melton said. “Everyone does. I do not care who you are, you deserve your best.”
“What Makes Me Happy” is expected to be a registered student organization within the next month, Melton said. To learn more, visit its Facebook page.