On February 12, 2025, USC Student Health kicked off its first Just.Ask.Men (J.A.M.) experience. The event, hosted in collaboration with USC Men’s Mental Health Initiative, brought together students, campus mentors, and clubs for an evening of deep conversation, engaging activities, and valuable resources centering mental health and personal growth.
The event’s meaningful discussions were balanced with exciting activities, including basketball challenges and the highly anticipated raffle—where one lucky student took home a Fender bass guitar!
Two panels, including faculty and student leaders, added meaningful insight as well as a question-and-answer segment. One powerful moment came from Thornton’s Popular Music faculty member Andy Abad, who shared how he leans on his band not just for creative expression, but for personal support. His story highlighted the importance of having a trusted circle—people who understand and uplift you during challenging times.
Another inspiring moment came from USC’s Counseling and Mental Health clinician and Professor of Psychiatry & The Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Dakari Quimby, who emphasized the role of friendship in carrying us through life’s ups and downs. He reminded the audience that we don’t always need to have the perfect words or solutions; sometimes, simply listening to a friend in need is just as impactful.
The USC’s Men’s Mental Health Initiative played a key role in supporting the event, offering club day details and membership information to encourage students to continue the conversation beyond the evening’s program.
With powerful stories, supportive connections, and engaging activities, the event successfully fostered an open dialogue about mental well-being. We look forward to continuing these important discussions and building an even stronger community of support.
2025 J.A.M. Mentors
Andy Abad
Marcos Briano
Kevin Chan
Paul David
Yoav Gillath
Jonathan Kim
Broderick Leaks
Ed Palmer
Adrian Peña
Dakari Quimby
Rudra Saigal
Sam Stack
Derek Wu
