Fresh Check Day is a new eye-opening event that Bryant Heal has taken on this year. Her Campus got the pleasure of interviewing Mara Petre, HEAL’s Fresh Check Chair position. Learn all about the exciting day and what it is going to bring to the Bryant community.
HC: What is the purpose of Fresh Check Day?
Mara Petre: Fresh Check Day is a nationally recognized day that strives to promote mental health awareness, coping strategies, and suicide prevention on college campuses. It is a peer-to-peer run, celebratory fair-like event that strives to increase awareness of mental health. The day aims to empower peers, reduce stigma and misconceptions in hopes that students will be more willing to ask for help or feel comfortable reaching out to others. The day is meant to be interactive and engaging for students so that they feel more comfortable talking about these topics.
HC: What is the date and time of Bryant’s Fresh Check Day?
MP: This Thursday, October 19th from 10 am to 2 pm.
HC: Where is the event being held?
MP: Weather permitting, the event will be on the Fisher Center lawn. If not, we will move the event to the first floor of Fisher.
HC: What clubs and organizations on Bryant’s campus are involved in this event?
MP: The clubs that are involved with our event are Active Minds, AWA, the Cheer team, Delta Zeta, HEAL, MSU, the PA Program, Pride, Student Programming Board, and Counseling Services.
HC: How was Fresh Check Day started?
MP: Fresh Check Day is a program that was started by the Jordan Porco Foundation (JPF). The foundation was founded in 2011 after a family lost their son, Jordan, to suicide when he was a freshman in college. The foundation works with campuses to bring awareness of mental health and coping strategies in an approachable atmosphere.
HC: Do you believe that there is a prevalent issue on Bryant’s campus with mental health issues?
MP: I believe that there are issues regarding mental health disorders but I don’t think they are specific to just Bryant. I think that the issue of mental health is prevalent on campuses across the country, which is why Fresh Check Day is a day that many universities across the country support. Most mental health disorders show up around ages 18-24 which is why it is important to educate students and make them aware of the resources available to them as well as empower those who see signs of mental health disorders to be educated to act. I think that it is an issue, but not one that is exclusive to Bryant’s campus.
HC: What makes you so passionate about Fresh Check Day?
MP: I think it is important that students feel comfortable discussing these issues. It is important that students are aware about mental health issues and resources available to them and their peers. I think that it is crucial to start an open dialogue to educate and empower students to seek help or assist someone who needs it. Fresh Check Day does this by creating an approachable message in a positive atmosphere.
HC: Do you believe that Fresh Check Day will be a successful event? How so?
MP: I believe that it will be successful because something that Fresh Check Day encourages is the concept of peer-to-peer involvement. The day requires endorsement from higher level administration but it is crucial that the community is involved almost as if it were a campus-wide movement. This reminds students that they are not alone and that their mental health and well-being is important to their community.
Remember how important mental health is in our society and be sure to come support Heal with their Fresh Check Day this Thursday, October 19th!