Winthrop Counseling Services is partnering with the Department of Student Life by hosting a public art gallery called “Seize the Awkward” at Rutledge Gallery with submissions by Winthrop students. The gallery was originally intended to open on Oct. 30, but the organizers plan to gain more submissions for an opening in the spring semester with a goal to explore mental health awareness.
Winthrop Counselor and Outreach Coordinator Jessica Hudgens explained that the goal of the gallery is to engage students in conversations about suicide awareness.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death in college students, so being able to have an open and honest conversation about it – and especially how to prevent it – is of paramount importance. I love art for its ability to start conversations around difficult subjects in a way that feels accessible and safe, which is part of the reason for the event,” Hudgens said.
Assistant Dean of Students Miranda Knight explained how the gallery is part of a national campaign for mental health awareness in the United States. While the posters all say the words “Seize the Awkward,” students are encouraged to present it in a creative way.
“Seize the Awkward is a national campaign to encourage people to check on others when they are concerned about their mental health. Sometimes it can seem awkward to ask someone how they are, but ‘seizing the awkward’ and asking someone if they are okay could save their life,” Knight said.
Another goal of the gallery is to bring the issue of suicide prevention on campus for students to learn about how they can apply this issue to Winthrop life. “While suicide is no doubt a community-wide issue, our goal is to bring the Winthrop campus together to begin having conversations about suicide, suicide prevention, and seizing the awkward,” Hudgens said.
Stigma can be a barrier for students who need help, which would prevent them from getting the necessary help they need. “We want to end the stigma. We want people to talk about it. We want people to get help,” Knight said.
The Department of Student Life and Winthrop Counseling Services hope the extension will allow students to contribute for the upcoming semester. “Asking students to take extra time for an additional project related to mental health is a tough prospect, so submissions have been low and we didn’t get nearly as many as we’d hoped. As such, we’re planning to move the gallery to the spring semester to allow students more time and a holiday break to plan and work on submissions before they are due,” Hudgens said.
Both departments plan for the gallery to open up a “pop-up gallery” before the semester ends and allow students who didn’t finish on time the chance to submit their posters and be part of the gallery.
“We will do a mental health “pop-up” program on study day and will really push for submissions. Winners do get prizes,” Knight said.
With the interactivity of the multiple presentations on campus, Winthrop Counseling Services hopes to teach students to help those around them and help save a life.
“I think it will be very impactful. We did an interactive art installation in September where people tied different colors of ribbon on a rope. So many people participated and read the reason for the installation. I think students were moved, shaken, and shocked by the number of people that have been impacted by suicide and suicidal ideation. I hope this art project and gallery will have the same impact,” Knight said.
