After going virtual last semester, Fresh Check Day will be back on campus for a day of fun activities on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Center Lower Level. This annual mental health fair is featured at universities nationwide and designed so that students can share mental health resources and check in on themselves.
Candace Guillory, a licensed mental health counselor and registered art therapist for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), emphasized the importance of Fresh Check Day for college students.
"In recent months, mental health has been a major topic for many people via social media and media news," Guillory said. "This is especially true for college students. Considering the events that have occurred in our world in the past two years, reports show that the mental health of college students has been significantly impacted.
An event like Fresh Check Day helps start the conversation about what resources are available and how people can manage those different challenges they’re experiencing in creative and fun ways."
Fresh Check Day features educational resources on different aspects of mental health, but is also a time to relax and have fun. There will be six interactive booths at Fresh Check Day, each one featuring a different activity. Food, games and prizes will also be available for all attendants.
While Fresh Check Day is meant to be a fun event, Guillory hopes that it will destigmatize the negative ideas that still permeate discussions around mental health.
"Fresh Check Day is a reminder that everyone has mental health, in the sense of our wellness, our well-being," said Guillory. "It's a time to have fun, but it's also about belonging and being in community. We're checking in on ourselves and we’re checking in on how the next person is doing — like our peers, our colleagues, our fellow students."
By encouraging students to check in with their peers, Fresh Check Day reminds all Jags that everyone has to maintain their mental health.
To find out more information, visit the national Fresch Check Day website or follow CAPS on Twitter to stay up to date on programs and services offered.
See which booths will be a part of IUPUI’s Fresh Check Day.
Check In and Chill Out
The start of the semester can be stressful for everyone — that’s why it's important to check in with yourself and take a moment to relax. This booth features some fun games with prizes.
Nine Out of Ten
One in 10 college students contemplate suicide. This means that nine out of 10 students have the chance to reach out and help those who are struggling. Learn more about how to support those with suicidal thoughts and how to build a campus community with a strong support system.
Paint Your Art Out
Engage your creativity through art. Creating art can be great for coping or relaxation. Make your mark and represent your creativity on a communal mural.
Rise Up
In order to raise awareness about the impact sexual assault has on mental health, this booth educates bystanders on how to refrain from victim blaming or hurtful language while empowering sexual assault survivors.
Elephant in the Room
Have you ever felt like you weren't allowed to talk about an issue you face? Fresh Check Day provides an opportunity to talk about it. Along with fellow students, write your message on an elephant card and hang it up so that we can address the elephant in the room.
Be Yourself
It's important to not only accept ourselves, but to accept others as well. Focusing on the LGBTQ+ community, this booth aims to combat the stigmas and discrimination many face when they try to be themselves.