SOCORRO, N.M. – New Mexico Tech students will be encouraged to check out mental health supports available to them at a campus resource fair. “Fresh Check Day” will be held Friday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Tech mall near the Gymnasium and will feature information booths, hands-on activities, music, free food, and prizes. More than 200 students are expected to participate in the annual event.

Fresh Check Day, the signature program of the Jordan Porco Foundation, is an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event for colleges across the country that includes interactive expo booths, peer-to-peer messaging, support of multiple campus departments and groups, free food, entertainment, and exciting prizes and giveaways. Fresh Check Day aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health and helps to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally.

According to Angela Gautier, Director of the Tech Counseling Center, the event will feature up to 10 different booths that provide resources to students on coping skills, suicide prevention, depression and other mental health topics as well as activities. The event is held early in the semester to acquaint freshmen and new students with the wide range of campus and community resources available to them.

“We want students to know that they have a support system on campus, one that they can access when they are in need of services and assistance,” Gautier said.

Students who visit the booths will receive goodie bags. Those who visit at least five booths and turn in five stamps on their booth “bingo” card will be eligible for prizes.