For more than a decade, the Class of ’86 has championed student well-being through its Mental Health Initiative, everything from expert speakers to Mental Health Week—an effort born directly from these alums’ experiences as students. This year, they’re proud to support Branksome’s new Big 5 Support Program, which addresses the five most common mental-health risks facing young people today. Together, they’re helping ensure every student feels seen, supported cared for and less alone.

Class President Linton CARTER'86 explains how it started:

“When I think about why our class started this initiative, I always go back to our 30th Reunion. We were sitting together—30 or 40 of us—doing what we’ve always done every five or 10 years: catching up, laughing, going around the room sharing what was really going on in our lives. The issues shifted as we got older. We talked about our own childhood traumas, menopause, suicide, losing parents. We share real stories—about struggles in school we never talked about like economic hardship, abandonment, addiction, feeling completely alone. It takes every Friday night of our Reunion weekend to hear from everyone!

Back in the ’80s, mental health simply wasn’t something Branksome, or most schools, knew how to support. If you weren’t the classic academic high-achiever, there wasn’t much guidance. And like most Gen X girls, we were conditioned to be strong, independent women who could suck it up and achieve anything.

Hearing those stories—years later—was a wake-up call. It broke down every old clique and reminded us why our friendships with the entire class have lasted: because when we show up, we really show up. I remember thinking, If we needed more support back then, imagine what girls need now.

That conversation sparked everything. We started asking: Could we build something that lasts? Something that adds support every year, not just at Reunions? And our class said yes—loudly. The Class of ’86 Mental Health Initiative grew from that shared commitment. Now, as we support the Big 5, I feel proud. We’re helping create the kind of early, compassionate support system we all wish we’d had. And we’re doing it together, as only the Class of ’86 can.”