Blue Monday aims to improve mental wellness
Monday, January 21 may be
known as the saddest day of the
year, but the College Student
Alliance (CSA) is choosing that
day to send a positive message.
"Blue Monday" is the first-ever
province-wide mental awareness
day for all CSA member colleges.
"I think it's great that they're finally reaching out and using their money and their power and connections to really get out there and make something visible across multiple schools at one time," said Fanshawe Student Union President Zack Dodge. Blue Monday at Fanshawe will feature a large service fair in F hallway with booths set up from organizations around the community and at Fanshawe.
Counselling and Accessibility Services will be there along with a booth from the FSU. "We'll be reaching out to talk about the program and what the day represents and obviously the theme is mental wellness. We once again just want to break that stigmatism towards it," said Dodge.
At noon on January 21, local country artist Stephanie McIlroy will be coming to Forwell Hall. "She's battled mental illness all throughout her teens and young adult life," said Dodge. "She's turned it around quite positively and has a relatively successful country group, so they're gonna come in and do a speaker series session mixed with an acoustic sit down."
In addition to the service fair and music nooner, the FSU is bringing back puppies and kittens! PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Services) is coming back to the Student Centre with dogs and cats, spreading happiness throughout the halls.
Dodge emphasized the importance of students addressing mental health issues. "I think mental wellness is probably the largest concern that many students have, because aside from finances, academics and your physical health, I think keeping your head straight when trying to absorb new knowledge is essential."
Blue Monday will allow students to connect with one another in-person and online. There will be a social media postcard campaign that will allow students to share their mental awareness tips, stories or positive experiences.
"Blue Monday is blowing the lid off the concerns and its giving you an open form to connect with other students who may have similar concerns," said Dodge. "It's just shining some light on a positive motion because mental health is often related to sad stories and sad experiences. At the end of the day, this can be a turnaround moment for many students and sometimes the best way to solve your problems is to be aware of them."
"I think it's great that they're finally reaching out and using their money and their power and connections to really get out there and make something visible across multiple schools at one time," said Fanshawe Student Union President Zack Dodge. Blue Monday at Fanshawe will feature a large service fair in F hallway with booths set up from organizations around the community and at Fanshawe.
Counselling and Accessibility Services will be there along with a booth from the FSU. "We'll be reaching out to talk about the program and what the day represents and obviously the theme is mental wellness. We once again just want to break that stigmatism towards it," said Dodge.
At noon on January 21, local country artist Stephanie McIlroy will be coming to Forwell Hall. "She's battled mental illness all throughout her teens and young adult life," said Dodge. "She's turned it around quite positively and has a relatively successful country group, so they're gonna come in and do a speaker series session mixed with an acoustic sit down."
In addition to the service fair and music nooner, the FSU is bringing back puppies and kittens! PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Services) is coming back to the Student Centre with dogs and cats, spreading happiness throughout the halls.
Dodge emphasized the importance of students addressing mental health issues. "I think mental wellness is probably the largest concern that many students have, because aside from finances, academics and your physical health, I think keeping your head straight when trying to absorb new knowledge is essential."
Blue Monday will allow students to connect with one another in-person and online. There will be a social media postcard campaign that will allow students to share their mental awareness tips, stories or positive experiences.
"Blue Monday is blowing the lid off the concerns and its giving you an open form to connect with other students who may have similar concerns," said Dodge. "It's just shining some light on a positive motion because mental health is often related to sad stories and sad experiences. At the end of the day, this can be a turnaround moment for many students and sometimes the best way to solve your problems is to be aware of them."
