Heavy rain forced the Fresh Check Day Fair inside, but the event still went on, drawing some students who braved the weather.
On Friday, Sept. 20, the Office of Health and Wellness ran “Fresh Check Day,” a fair-style interactive program that allowed students to speak to members from clubs on campus as a part of a mental health awareness and suicide prevention effort.
The goal of the activities fair was to educate community members on mental health resources around campus, as well as break the stigma around mental health while also engaging visitors in fun activities, such as a deadlift challenge, hosted by the Stonehill ROTC unit, with three reps on the deadlift granting a free shirt.
Zane Bower '26, a member of the ROTC Unit, said he was grateful to be a part of the event.
“This is a good way to get everyone together and raise awareness for mental health. A lot of people suffer in silence, especially in the military, so it’s good to know that people care, especially about us,” he said.
There was also a petting zoo that included rabbits, chickens, and a pair of goats. One of the students running the signups for this petting zoo, Elizabeth Hurm '26, shared a similar sentiment of awareness and unity.
“This is a great opportunity for people to learn about mental health in a positive and uplifting way to break the stigma surrounding it, even if that discussion is caused by a cute bunny,” she said.
Claudia Gonzales '26, from the Radiant, Inspirational, Sisters Empowered (RISE) dialogue group run through the office of intercultural affairs, shared a similar sentiment. She ran an, “I am, I am not,” statement activity, where people can break the negative stereotypes they associate with themselves.
Students would write this negative stereotype on a flash card before crafting a statement that contradicts it, defying this assumption that might be made about them.
“Our group is a space for women of color on campus. It’s important to us to represent women of color and how our struggles are unique to us and our community,” she said.
Andrea Gonzalez Mendoza, a graduate intern for Counseling Services this semester, expressed gratitude for the event too.
“It is a great opportunity to connect with a new community and reduce stigma surrounding mental health,” she said.
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