Winthrop Fresh Check Day welcomed students to learn more about their mental health through stations covering topics like body image, sexual assault and being aware of one’s drinking. In addition, students were able to undergo a free mental health screening.
After students were given a stamp card, they were invited to visit at least five interactive booths where they would be given a stamp for their visit. The booths interacted with students through wheel spinners, distortion goggles and collaborative art pieces.
One table was named “9 out of 10” because one out of ten college students contemplates suicide, leaving nine out of ten students in a position to recognize warning signs. At this station, students were invited to sign the pledge to become one of the nine.
Warning signs include giving away possessions, drastic changes in mood and behavior, stopping the things that a person normally loves to do, not going to class, talking about not being around anymore or outright talking about self–harm.
“Being one of the nine means to know those signs and to not ignore them but to be direct with your friends and asking them what’s going on and trying to get them to the resources that can help,” said Julie Schrader, assistant director of residence life for staff development.
While many students are not qualified to treat others who exhibit these warning signs, it is possible to get them the resources that they need. This includes, but is not limited to, walking a friend to health and counseling services, utilizing the community clinic in the Withers Building, or calling a national suicide hotline.
“I think [Fresh Check Day] definitely brings mental health issues out more so that people are comfortable talking about them,” Schrader said. “And anytime that you can talk about something more and educate people more, it’s going to have a positive impact.
“We want them to understand resources for being able to help folks whether they’re the ones having the issues or it’s friends and loved ones having the issues.”
At another booth called “Rise Up,” students were invited to color in different puzzle pieces with the part they have colored representing their voice. The completed puzzle stated, “your voice has power,” to show support for sexual assault survivors.
“This booth is bringing awareness to sexual assault because we know it is very prevalent on college campuses worldwide,” said Office of Victim Assistance Coordinator Itali Jackson.
“Some survivors of sexual assault experience different mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, post–traumatic stress disorder, due to the traumatic event or events,” Jackson said. “And sometimes different survivors engage in different risky behaviors in order to cope with that event or events.
“So we’re just letting students know that it’s on us to end rape culture on our campus by educating ourselves and others, supporting survivors of sexual assault, and also knowing resources.”
The mental health screening station was where students were able to speak with some of the counselors from counseling services and sign their names on a piece of paper that read, “Mental Health Matters to…”
“Once they complete a screening, it indicates or suggests to them that further evaluation might be needed,” said Dr. Kwabena Sankofa, training coordinator and staff counselor. “And then we are able to refer them not just to the counseling services but also to the community clinic which is in the Withers Building, the College of Education, and it’s free, and they have extra extended hours to see not just students but also people from the community.
“The assessment, the test, will give them a good sense of where they are emotionally and psychologically and that the services are available to them on campus.”
