MTSU Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair promotes student awareness, support

MTSU Counseling Services recently hosted its Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair for students, offering a wealth of information on how students can seek help for themselves or others.

Held in the Student Union Building atrium, the fair provided students with information and resources for suicide prevention, stress relief and coping strategies. Students could participate in rock painting, Mental Health Jeopardy, make-your-own stress ball, a meditation booth and other activities.

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network was among the organizations participating in the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair held Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Student Union atrium. Information and resources were available for suicide prevention, stress relief, and coping strategies, with activities including rock painting, Mental Health Jeopardy, make-your-own stress ball, meditation booth and more. (MTSU photo by Leah Chollman)

MTSU students make their own stress balls at the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair held Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Student Union atrium. Information and resources were available for suicide prevention, stress relief, and coping strategies, with other activities including rock painting, Mental Health Jeopardy, meditation booth and more. (MTSU photo by Leah Chollman)

Mya Gray, 20, a community and public health major, was one of the many Student Government Association members to volunteer at the event.

“Mental health is a topic all college students should be aware of, and it’s important that we have more conversations regarding it,” said Gray.

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network also staffed the event. The organization provided students with contact information, information booklets and gift-bags. Network volunteer and MTSU alumna Brenda Harper expressed the organizations message of hope to struggling youth.

“For college-aged kids, suicide is the second leading cause of death,” noted Harper. “Students should know it’s OK to admit when they need help.”

The MTSU Collegiate 100 student group was among the organizations participating in the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair held Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Student Union atrium. Information and resources were available for suicide prevention, stress relief, and coping strategies, with activities including rock painting, Mental Health Jeopardy, make-your-own stress ball, meditation booth and more. (MTSU photo by Leah Chollman)

As September is national Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, MTSU Counseling Services Director Mary Kaye Anderson stresses the new mental health services available for students.

MTSU also has launched a new program titled “Let’s Talk,” which gives students the opportunity to meet informally with a counselor for 30 minutes to talk about anything they may be struggling with. Let’s Talk is available every weekday from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Union.

For more information on MTSU’s Counseling Services, located in Room 326-S of Keathley University Center, call 615-898-2670 or visit www.mtsu.edu/countest.

–– Leah Chollman (lbc3m@mtmail.mstu.edu)

MTSU students take advantage of rock painting station at the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair held Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Student Union atrium. Information and resources were available for suicide prevention, stress relief, and coping strategies, with other activities including Mental Health Jeopardy, make-your-own stress ball, meditation booth and more. (MTSU photo by Leah Chollman)

MTSU students mingle among the informational booths of a variety of organizations participating in the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair held Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Student Union atrium. Information and resources were available for suicide prevention, stress relief, and coping strategies, with activities including rock painting, Mental Health Jeopardy, make-your-own stress ball, meditation booth and more. (MTSU photo by Leah Chollman)

MTSU’s Power of One bystander intervention program through the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students was among the organizations and programs participating in the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair held Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Student Union atrium. Information and resources were available for suicide prevention, stress relief, and coping strategies, with activities including rock painting, Mental Health Jeopardy, make-your-own stress ball, meditation booth and more. (MTSU photo by Leah Chollman)