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On a sunny day on Sullivan Lawn, students came together with their friends and fellow Setonians to enjoy games, activities and giveaways all while drawing awareness to important conversations about mental health.

¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ hosted its first Fresh Check Day on October 22. The Counseling Center partnered with 11 student organizations and athletic teams to provide interactive booths focused on a variety of mental health oriented topics such as: mental health screening, positive body image, substance use, therapeutic art and creativity, focusing on strengths and embracing a positive attitude, understanding our roles in suicide prevention, and how helping others can impact our own mood.

The event also included community partners including Mental Health America, Pressley Ridge, Blackburn Center, The Renfrew Center, Westmoreland County Food Bank, Aramark and DMAX.

More than 200 students, faculty, and staff engaged in this innovative program, developed by the Jordan Porco Foundation, designed to bring together the entire campus community to “check-in” on the mental health and wellness of college students.

“While heading off to college can be a really exciting time with new found independence and opportunities, it can naturally bring uncertainty, peer conflict and first-time failures. More college students are coming with past counseling experience and histories of anxiety and depression than ever before–especially since the pandemic,” said Jessica Maga, Director of Counseling at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. “The importance of reducing mental health stigma and expanding access to resources and support in higher education has been at the forefront nationally in recent years.”

Bringing more awareness about counseling and mental health services and supports both on campus and in the community has been a goal of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s counseling services. In recent years, the university has increased its counseling staff, brought regional and national programs to campus around mental health topics, and participated in the national Healthy Minds survey to better understand the attitudes of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ students, faculty and staff around mental wellness.

“When we feel better, we do better. College mental health is key to the success of students, higher education, and the workforce,” Rachael Graham, Social Worker and Community Resource Specialist at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ added. “The first step in improving college mental health is talking about it, and Fresh Check Day gave ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ an opportunity to have these conversations.”

Students also completed a post-event survey to gauge what they took away from the event:

• 85% indicated that they were more aware of warning signs of suicide
• 88% felt more prepared to help a friend who were exhibiting signs of suicide
• 90% reported being more aware of resources available to them
• 89% were more likely to ask for help if they are experiencing emotional distress
• 89% were more comfortable talking about mental health and suicide

This event was made possible by additional support from the Paul B. Wolff Memorial Fund and a Pennsylvania Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition (HESPC) Mini-Grant obtained by the Counseling Center.