Mental Health Awareness Week

National Mental Health Awareness Week is Sunday, October 6^th through Saturday, October 12^th. This year Counseling & Psychological Services, the Health Center, Campus Ministry, DiMenna-Nyselius library, FUSA, Stag Peer Support Group, and Active Minds are jointly coordinating several campus events to help raise awareness about mental health issues, combat stigma, and provide support to students, faculty, and staff affected by mental health issues.

Any and all campus community partners are welcomed and encouraged to participate in any of the following events during National Mental Health Awareness Week here at Fairfield University:

• Sunday, 10/6, 5-6:30pm: Mass at Egan Chapel where we will remember in a particular way those who struggle with mental illness and those who have lost their lives to suicide. Immediately following Mass, all students are invited to the info desk at the foot of the Tully stairs to help create a temporary visual display in remembrance of those college students who have lost their lives due to suicide.
• Tuesday, 10/8, 11a-3pm: Information tables will be set up in the Library, near Dunkin in the BCC, and outside the Tully to distribute flyers, stickers, and other educational materials regarding mental health issues and resources on campus.
• Wednesday, 10/9, 3pm: Woof Wednesday (destress event hosted by Campus Ministry) this week will be held on the quad behind Loyola Hall. All students are invited for KanJam and Frisbee as well as to learn more about Mental Health resources available. Bailey the therapy dog will be available for puppy love!
• Wednesday, 10/9, 7-8:30pm at the Oak Room:  “Life after a Suicide Attempt: Lessons of Hope, Resilience, and Recovery.” Jordan Burnham is a nationally recognized mental health advocate and speaker who will share his personal life story that includes his struggle with depression, a suicide attempt, and his ongoing recovery. Jordan’s talk contains powerful messages of resilience, ending the stigma associated with mental illness, and the necessity of asking for help. This is an FYE Thrive Event. This talk is funded by the Julia Ryder Sill Fund. Julia ’13 took her life on campus during her sophomore year.
• Friday, 10/11, 2:30-4:30pm: Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Training. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. This training is open to students, staff, and faculty. If you are interested in participating, please email Dr. Mark Celano at mcelano@fairfield.edu. Space is limited.
• Friday, 10/4 through Sunday, 10/13: there will be a display at the DiMenna-Nyselius library (main level) of fiction books related to the topics of mental illness, recovery, and resilience. 

If you are struggling with mental health issues, please get help. If you are concerned about a friend, care enough to get that student help. Tell them you’re there for them and connect them to resources here on campus. Both Counseling & Psychological Services and Campus Ministry are confidential and no charge to students. Counseling & Psychological Services is located at 120 Dolan Hall (next to the Health Center) and is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2146 to schedule an appointment.