CHLOE KOWALYK
News Editor
Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, an internationally-recognized day that observes mental health issues around the world.
According to the World Health Organization, “the overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.”
World Mental Health Day allows those who work in mental health to talk about their work and to discuss what more can be done to make mental health care available to people across the world.
In light of World Mental Health Day, SUNY Fredonia’s Counseling Center and “Let’s Talk” program organized their own event to provide mental health care resources to students on campus.
The event, called “A Day to Treat Yourself,” was held on Wednesday, Oct. 6 — right before students began their 2021 fall break.
The event served as a day to focus on self care and bringing people together to learn about mental health.
Held in the area outside of and in the multipurpose room in the William’s Center, the event featured several aspects of mental health care and resources students can utilize.
Ivory Brooks, a licensed married and family therapist who coordinated the “Let’s Talk” program, was one of the main organizers of the event.
Brooks explained that she and the rest of the Counseling Center staff at Fredonia “understand that October is a very stressful time for students. Midterms have arrived, and the rose colored glasses of being on campus have come off by October.”
“We wanted to incorporate some self care opportunities for students, free of charge,” she said.
Outside of the William’s Center, a few tables were set up for tie dying shirts.
Students were given white shirts, dye and rubber bands to create their own unique designs.
On the opposite side of the sidewalk, the not-for-profit organization National Equine Institute of Growth Through Healing set up a pen where they had two large horses and two smaller, miniature horses.
NEIGH provides equine-therapy using horses to help improve mental well-being.
Students were able to pet the horses and to visit with them as they pleased.
Inside the William’s Center, in the multipurpose room, held several tables for both SUNY Fredonia’s own mental health resources, and those nearby in Chautauqua county, as well as other therapies for students to check out.
One popular station featured information about Accelerated Resolution Therapy, which uses eye movements and bilateral stimulation to relieve clinets’ stress regarding a traumatic or painful event.
ART therapy is used to help heal several mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias and addictions.
Mary Rollinger, a licensed mental health counselor, was in charge of the station. Not only does she use ART, but she is also a handler for a comfort dog — a nine year-old Golden Retriever named Juno.
Many students loved seeing and petting Juno, especially Jordan Jayson.
Jayson said that getting to interact with Juno was “a breath of fresh air before break.”
Another student, Symphonie Giambelluca, said that Juno even “gave [her] nose kisses.”
Next to Rollinger and Juno’s station were two massage tables open for students to get massages.
The station was run by licensed massage therapists Cora Utegg and Susan Hughes, who gave free massages to students who desired one.
Another table students could check out was the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene.
Julia Bayedes, who was in charge of the table, offered a lot of great information on mental health care available right here in Chautauqua County.
According to their website, the purpose of the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene is “to plan, develop, and provide accessible, comprehensive, integrated, outcome-based mental hygiene services of the highest quality to residents of Chautauqua County, maximizing all available resources in the most efficient and cost effective manner.”
Another table featured was the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, where Carri Raynor explains that they “want to push out how it is important to check in with people that we care about, so when they’re struggling, they know that we’re worried about them.”
The Suicide Prevention Alliance also wants people to know who they can contact when they’re worried about someone, and even shared the news that in July 2022, the number 988 will be used for mental health crisises nationwide.
Raynor and her table also had a table where students could decorate rocks and flags with positive messages regarding mental health.
SUNY Fredonia’s Student Health Center had a table as well and provided a guide to sexual health services available on campus, including testing and treatment for STIs, pregnancy testing and sexual/reproductive health examinations.
SUNY Fredonia’s Counseling Center also had a table.
Jermaine Kenner, a licensed mental health counselor and Counseling Center staff member described the various counseling services available to students on campus.
These services include therapy, on-demand counseling, crisis appointments, referrals to outside agencies if needed, psychiatric services, group sessions, “Let’s Talk” and a Mental Health Bootcamp program.
Student club STEPS, which stands for Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality, also had a table and talked about safe alcohol use and safe sex.
Anika Patterson, who led the STEPS table, explained that sophomores and freshman who had most of their college experience on Zoom, may not have had much of an opportunity to learn about STEPS, so having a table at the “A Day to Treat Yourself” event was perfect to help them spread awareness.
Patterson further explained that STEPS also provides information on sexual assault, helping peopole with healthy relationships, HIV/AIDS and other relevant aspects of college mental health.
Overall, the event was very popular among students.
Those looking for additional information regarding mental health care can visit the Counseling Center in LoGrasso Hall, call them at (716) 673-3424 or email them at counseling.center@fredonia.edu.
The Student Health Center can be reached by visiting LoGrasso Hall or by calling (716) 673-3131.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts if suicide, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.