SOCORRO, N.M. – Hundreds of students played games, did arts and crafts, and learned about various mental health issues during Fresh Check Day on Friday, Sept. 6.

(Pictured at right: Eli Jackson, Jade Baca, and Michael Narum toss bean bags at one of 10 stations during Fresh Check Day.)

The Office of Counseling and Disabilities Services staged the first ever event to encourage students and employees to learn about issues and learn about the resources available on campus.

The event included 10 stations with activities ranging from bean bag toss and Jenga to “Reasons to Live” and “Message in a Bottle.” At each station, students earned a stamp, collected goodies, got refreshments and raised their awareness. Other stations included yoga, massage, and shelter pets.

(Pictured at right: Nicole Penners and Tenise Stansfield volunteered for the Fresh Check Day. Several puppies and cats from the Socorro Animal Shelter were on hand for students to pet and play with.)

Fresh Check Day is a national movement that aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health.  It helps to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally. Booths offered advice and resources related to suicide prevention, eating disorders, and alcohol consumption.

Angela Gautier, Director of the Office of Counseling and Disabilities Services, said the event was quite successful, with more than 150 students registering as of 2 p.m. Students filtered through the booths from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dozens of NMT staff members and students volunteered to host the booths, run the activities, and hand out goodies.

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