Mental Illness Awareness Week begins Monday and World Mental Health Day is Wednesday. Throughout the week, events will be held to represent the challenge of raising awareness and educating others on mental health issues.
This October, MSU's Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is partnering with the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) and MSU’s Council of Graduate Students (COGS) for Mental Illness Awareness Week. Events are scheduled on campus for each day of the week. They'll be held in the surrounding community to bring people together to talk, relax and take time to focus on mental health.
Monday, Oct. 8 - Art Project and Card Making
From 9-1 p.m. in the grassy area behind Wells Hall, students and community members have the opportunity to participate in a group art project called “Mental Illness looks like…” Participants can fill in the blank with their own words on an art canvas. There's also an opportunity to write cards for students in need of extra love and support.
From 5-8 p.m., NAMI will host an open house at McLaren Orthopedic Hospital at 2727 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing.
Tuesday, Oct. 9 - Distilled Trivia Night
Students and members of the community are invited to test their knowledge on mental illness with a trivia night at Red Cedar Spirits in East Lansing. Individuals under 21 are welcome to attend. Attendees can compete individually or in teams, and there will be Qdoba prizes for the winners. The trivia night will be held from 6-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 10 - Iris Planting outside of CAPS
Inspired by Van Gogh’s famous "Irises" painting — completed while he was hospitalized — irises have become a symbol of mental health. From 12:30-2 p.m., people are welcome to stop by MSU's Student Services building to plant the flowers. Free ice cream will also be available while supplies last.
When students are done exercising their green thumbs, they can stop by the MSU Library from 3-4:30 p.m. for visits with therapy dogs.
Thursday, Oct. 11 - CAPS Depression Screening Day
CAPS will offer free depression screenings for MSU students from 11-2 p.m. Screening sites will be at the MSU Union, the lobby of the International Center and at the MSU College of Law. Students are invited to stop by, talk with CAPS staff members, complete screenings and get coupons for free ice cream while supplies last.
Online screenings are also available for students.
Friday, Oct. 12 - NAMI Healing through Art
"Healing Through Art" is an event hosted for community members to engage their creativity. Individuals are welcome to attend and view art from 7-9 p.m. at Lansing's UrbanBeat Event Center.
For more information about Mental Illness Awareness Week or other resources, visit NAMI's website.
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