The University of Connecticut’s Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) is holding a fair meant to educate students on mental health and suicide prevention this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.
The event, known as Fresh Check Day, will feature interactive expo booths, peer-to-peer messaging, support of multiple campus departments and groups, free food, entertainment and giveaways, according to the University of Connecticut Events Calendar website.
According to Kristina Stevens, director of SHaW, Fresh Check is held on all UConn campuses and is a partnership with the Jordan Porco Foundation.
“Fresh Check is the foundation’s signature event designed to create a fun and inviting atmosphere on the topic of mental health and well-being,” Stevens said in a statement.
“All students are invited to join campus partners for a “mental health check-in” and enjoy interactive booths, games, crafts, stress management, the dairy bar truck and vouchers, prizes and more.”
UConn has hosted Fresh Check for over 12 years. This year, SHaW will be partnering with Power Posse for music on the Student Union Terrace, and the Dairy Bar truck will be available on Fairfield Way, according to the website.
The event is meant to be a mental health check in and will have many fun activities, including interactive booths, baby cows, free food, pet therapy, prizes, games, crafts and stress management, according to the website.
Some of the booths that will be at the event include The Zen Den, Check in and Chill Out, Know Your Limit, Mood Matters and It Takes a Village. A full list of the booths and what they will feature can be found on the UConn Suicide Prevention Resources website.
According to the website, booths will promote awareness and information on suicide prevention, physical health, alcohol safety, self-care, therapy, anxiety and stress management.
UConn is just one of many schools across the country that participates in Fresh Check Day, according to the Fresh Check Day website.
According to UConn Suicide Prevention Resources, Fresh Check Day “aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health and helps to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally.”
Those looking to volunteer at the event can fill out the form on the UConn Suicide Prevention Resources website and will be later contacted by a committee member.
More information about the event can be found on the UConn Event Calendar website.