Mental Health, Wellness Week set Sept. 24 to 30 at SUNY Oswego

SUNY Oswego’s Counseling Center peer educators (P2Ps), Counseling Center staff and the Care Network will host student-awareness activities associated with Mental Health and Wellness Week from Sept. 24 to 30.

Each day, several events on campus will educate students about mental wellness and assist students with identifying and managing stressors, including anxiety and depressed mood.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, the sixth annual Stride To SAVE Lives suicide prevention walk and 5K at 11 a.m. from Sheldon Hall invites campus and community participation. Same-day registration happens from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Monday, Sept. 26, events include an outreach table staffed by the Counseling Center peer educators from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center and a SYM (Speak Your Mind) panel sponsored by Active Minds in Room 208 of Marano Campus Center from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This panel of students will openly discuss their personal issues and concerns relating to mental health.

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, the P2Ps will be in the academic quad encouraging students to take a break and enjoy balloon art therapy from 1 to 3 p.m., along with Share Chair and Chill Squad activities. From 7 to 8 p.m. in the Riggs Hall main lounge, Jacob Gardner, assistant director of residence life and housing, will present an Oz Talk (Oswego’s version of a TED Talk) titled “From Civilian To General: One Man’s Journey.” Also from 7 to 9 p.m., Lisa Evaneski, the college’s Title IX coordinator, will conduct a “One Love Escalation Workshop” in Room 201 of Marano Campus Center.

Wednesday, Sept. 28, will showcase the largest event of the week—a Wellness Fair from 2 to 5 p.m. on the lawn behind Marano Campus Center near Swetman Gym. (Rain location is Swetman Gym.)  Highlights will include therapy dogs from PAWS of CNY, an inflatable obstacle course, mood check-ups and 21 booths with games and activities designed to assist students with strategies and ideas for improving their emotional and physical wellness. Prizes include local merchant gift certificates, a Cooper/Glimmerglass Fitness Center membership, a Kindle, free tickets to see the campus production of “The Wizard of Oz” and more.

On Thursday, Sept. 29, Shelly Sloan of the Care Network will present “Step Up! Bystander Intervention Training” in Room 133 of Marano Campus Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The P2P Chill Squad and Share Chair will be out on campus from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Open Mic Night sponsored by the Care Network will take place in Penfield Library’s Lake Effect Cafe from 7 to 10 p.m.

On Friday, Sept. 30, the P2Ps will again offer students a chance to de-stress with balloon art therapy in the quad from 2 to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the SUNY Oswego Counseling Services Center at 312-4416 or visit https://www.oswego.edu/counseling-services.