When Joshua Rivedal was in his 20s, he lost his father to suicide, and his world began to crumble.

“Going through a loss like that, it changes your life in a big way,” Rivedal said. “Nobody prepares you for that.”

After substance abuse, lost relationships and hitting rock bottom, Rivedal made small changes and began the process of getting help.

Now he is trying to help others seek support before reaching that point.

On Wednesday, Rivedal — now a mental health advocate, comedian and author — spoke about mental health to the Oklahoma State University community at the Student Union Theater.

Rivedal is the founder of Changing Minds: A Mental Health-Based Curriculum and the i’Mpossible Project. He brought his story to OSU to help students and faculty recognize the signs of struggle within themselves and those around them, and break the stigma surrounding conversations about mental health.

“In terms of family history, at times we are willing to talk about diabetes and alcohol misuse and things like that … but we do not talk about mental health challenges,” Rivedal said. “We're not giving those kids choices and options and opportunities like we would with other conditions and we need to.”

Starting off the event with a stand-up routine, Rivedal acknowledged that humor is what got him through some of the hardest moments of his life. Comedy is how he gets to the heart of his mission: to inspire students to speak up, speak out and speak often.

“I need to know you to know that we need the tapestry of this planet. We need you in it,” Rivedal said. “When one of the threads is missing, it's not as beautiful of a picture or as functional. So we need that. We need you.”

Maggie Wheeler, a junior wildlife ecology major from Wagoner, Oklahoma, said the event helped her understand how to be more present when someone is asking for help.

“I now know signs to tell if someone is struggling and how to be a listener instead of offering a solution immediately,” Wheeler said. “That's really helpful.”

Mental health awareness is the primary mission for the OSU initiative, Cowboys Care. First Cowgirl Angela Hess launched the program in August 2025, which has grown to encompass the Cowboys Care Ambassador program. Over 400 students have been trained to recognize when someone may need support and help connect them with resources.

Bella Ridener, a Cowboys Care Ambassador,  said while having resources available is important, it doesn’t solve the problem. Students need to know how to access those resources and also feel comfortable doing so.

“That's where Cowboys Care can make a difference. Our ambassadors aren't counselors or clinicians,” Ridener said. “They're students, faculty, and staff who have been trained to recognize needs, listen and connect with someone with the appropriate resources.”

Ridener knows how essential events like these are for encouraging open conversations and better mental health among students.

“Events like this give us an opportunity to have conversations about mental health before someone reaches a crisis point,” Ridener said.

“Mental health doesn't have to be something we only discuss when something is wrong.”

Story By: Rachel Teran | rachel.teran10@okstate.edu