Mental Health Awareness Week livened up UFV for an event-filled five days last week. They not only brought awareness to mental health, but informed students on different ways to deal with stress, let them know about the many resources provided on campus, and offered different activities for students to have some fun.
Beginning with Monday, the Student Union Building (SUB) had a Jeopardy and games activity which included prizes. There was a beanbag toss where students had to aim for a hole that determined whether they got an easy or hard question, both of which focused on mental health, and by answering a question you immediately won a prize.
The event was held at a table outside of the Student Union Society (SUS) office, which grabbed many students’ attention. While I was at the table, I saw many students walk by and engage with the activities. However, the table was not only reserved for games and activities. Students who came by also received a free Rexall gift bag, full of candy and tissues, while they learned about SUS’s health and dental plan.
The Jeopardy and games event was a perfect way to start off Mental Health Awareness Week, and was followed by other events, including the puppy room on Tuesday and SUS’s paint splatter event on Wednesday, which was intended for students to use as a way to “throw paint at negativity.” The event was situated outside of the SUB with paint and sponges provided for throwing at the board, and Sharpies to write any negative messages they wanted to fight off. Another paint splatter event that also occurred on campus was hosted by the mental health awareness club who were supporting the Yellow Umbrella Project, a mental health awareness campaign whose mission is to “stop the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness, and help students recognize the resources available to them on campus and within their community.”
Both events were similar and gained the attention of many students that walked by. Students wrote what was bothering them on the board, with phrases like “You will never find success,” “I am NOT the group ditz! I worked for more!” and simply “exams” before letting go of that stress by throwing paint at their own words. Both paint splatter events were a great way for students, especially during midterm season, to let go of any negativity that had been surrounding them.
Another event that intended to allow students to let go of their stress was the dance party held in the SUB Great Hall on Wednesday night. Music blasted and disco lights shone throughout the room. Although the turnout was not as high as other events during the week, it was still a fun addition to Mental Health Awareness Week.
On Thursday, SUS held a paint night. They’ve hosted paint nights for previous occasions, mainly during Welcome Week, but the event also fit well with Mental Health Awareness Week, and it’s always fun to grab a canvas and get creative. Even an observer could enjoy seeing different students’ artistic works and the joy painting brought them.
Nonetheless, even though Mental Health Awareness Week was filled with fun activities, there were also students and counsellors available on Thursday in the SUB to offer information about mental health, different ways to cope with stress, how to help someone you know who is struggling with a mental illness, and the resources that are available to students. Screening tests were also available at the table with UFV counsellors present to discuss results with students and answer any questions they might have. Overall, Mental Health Awareness Week was a huge success. It was great to see both UFV students and staff work together to bring awareness to mental health, to help stop the stigma that surrounds mental illness, and most importantly to support one another.
