Every Saint Has a Story: Hassan Rizwan '26

Hassan Rizwan '26 (above, right) didn't talk much during freshman year. Feelings of self doubt and insecurity were allowed to fester, then they started to boil. Betraying every instinct, Rizwan did something he had never done before. And it changed his life.

It looked like any other pick-up basketball game in the MAC. Students, all guys and three to a team, playfully talked trash over games to 11. There was a bit more structure this time. The six teams were competing in a bracket-style tournament with trophies on the line. There was one other difference, too. Before the event started, Rizwan gathered all the guys around and told them something they're not used to hearing: It's okay to talk about your emotions.

"We organized the basketball tournament to promote men's mental health. Often when you're down, the best thing you can do is use your hobbies to your advantage. I told the guys that basketball is a great way to alleviate stress. Plus, you're playing with your friends, and that's the whole point. Be with the people who care about you. I'm just trying to give them that extra nudge."

Rizwan is the president of manKIND, a student-led committee formed in 2023 to address men's mental health challenges and develop programming on campus. Rizwan figured basketball was a great place to start. He also hosted a speaker this fall who specializes in men's mental health. More than 60 students showed up.

"A friend came up to me after the event and said, 'Thanks for doing this. I didn't realize how much I needed this. You're doing great work.' That was really meaningful to hear."

Three years ago, Rizwan knew he needed help. He was a freshman struggling with normal freshman struggles, but he was afraid to put his hand in the air and ask for assistance.

"As a man, you're taught to be stoic. Men think they can't show emotion or acknowledge pain. When you keep that bottled up, nothing good will ever come of it."

Rizwan made the brave decision to do something so simple, yet so unusual for most men. He called a friend, and they had a real talk.

"I just started spewing everything. I told him how I was feeling and what was bothering me. I completely opened up. I just needed to unload in a non-harmful way. My friend didn't have a solution, but that's not why I called. He just listened, and that's what I needed."

From that positive experience, Rizwan faced his challenges, got the help he needed, and walked into an Active Minds meeting. Not long after that, he was the president of manKIND.

"I barely talked freshman year. I never thought I would be seen as a leader on campus. It happened out of the blue. It's kind of awesome."

Rizwan meets with the Student Senate every Wednesday, and he says they've been a great partner in promoting mental heath events. Rizwan's planning to host another basketball tournament this spring, and he'd like to bring another speaker to campus before he graduates. Rizwan is planning to stay at Siena for his MBA, but he's hoping a new group of guys will step up to run manKIND beginning next fall.

"Our speaker this fall told us, 'We all go through stuff that sucks. But you know what sucks less? Talking to people and getting help so that you're not dealing with it by yourself for no reason.' I think that resonated with a lot of people. We're a community that looks out for each other. We just need to to show a little vulnerability sometimes."

Ask a friend for help, and you will be amazed by their response.