With October being Disability Pride Month at Michigan State University, University Health and Wellbeing (UHW) is hosting plenty of events to honor and celebrate the contributions of the disability community, along with supporting mental health and wellness.
While nationally celebrated in July, Michigan State University celebrates Disability Pride Month in October to guarantee that all students and faculty members can participate in the celebration.
Additionally, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), along with other university departments, is hosting "Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education," an evidence-based training program aiming to help students recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use.
Here is a list of events and courses taking place during October and throughout the semester:
Fresh Check Day - Wednesday, Oct. 15
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, UHW hosted Fresh Check Day to help promote student mental health awareness.
John Malinowski, CAPS mental health ambassador and psychology and marketing senior, said the event was created to “check in” with students.
"...We're just checking in with college students, and, you know, kind of talking about the importance of mental health, especially (because) we all got some stressful lives, so just making sure we all know that there's support, and there are people out there that want to help us and want to support them," Malinowski said.
Collaborating with different partners across MSU, the event ran from noon to 4 p.m. in People’s Park near the International Center and Wells Hall.
CAPS Mental Health Ambassador and psychology sophomore Trinity McGhee said she believes the event was important to have on campus because of the potential stigma the topic of mental health holds.
"...I think that conversations, especially for me personally, in communities of color, I think that they are very taboo," McGhee said. "I think that these conversations are things that need to be had, and there are a lot of stigmas that need to be broken, especially with the climate that we're in today. So I think that educating is one of the biggest focuses of this event…"
The interactive event promoted mental health awareness and suicide prevention through engaging activities, showcasing campus resources, and providing community connection.
Assistant director for CAPS Olivia Scott said seeing students connect with each other during the event was something she enjoyed.
"It really just feels like students needed this around midterms and (we) just wanted to do something fun," Scott said. "I know a lot of them are even coming out of exams right now, so it's just great to see that energy on their faces and them connecting with one another."
Fall Flu Shot Clinics - various dates in Fall 2025:
As the flu season is in full swing, annual flu shots are being offered for free at Flu Shot Clinics on various dates throughout October and November.
Here is a list of employee flu shot clinics:
Employee Flu Shot Clinics - Fall 2025
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The first of these clinics will be held on Monday, Oct. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 3405 A&B on the third floor of the engineering building.
The second of these clinics will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 101 at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
The third of these clinics will be held on Monday, Oct. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room A174 South at the Veterinary Medical Center.
The fourth of these clinics will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room W444 on the fourth floor west in the MSU Library.
The fifth of these clinics will be held on Monday, Nov. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 1309 at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).
WorkLife Wellbeing Series:
Hosted by UHW, this series offers staff members free, virtual sessions to help support their personal and professional lives.
Here is a list of the series offered:
Restoring Our Energy: Collective Care in Higher Education (Virtual)
One series includes Restoring Our Energy: Collective Care in Higher Education (Virtual). This series took place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
This interactive workshop consisted of practical strategies to help support staff members' professional and personal well-being.
AI at Work: Tools, Tips, and Tensions (Virtual)
Another series includes AI at Work: Tools, Tips, and Tensions (Virtual). This series will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
This session includes introductions to different AI tools while exploring the successes and challenges that accompany these tools. It also creates an open space for staff members to ask questions and voice concerns.
Register for this event here.
Spartan Resilience Fall 2025:
Spartan Resilience courses are offered to help Spartans develop or strengthen their skills to respond.
These courses are offered virtually and can be taken as a part of the Spartan Resilience Education Certificate Series or by themselves.
Here is a list of the courses offered:
Becoming a Gatekeeper of Your Own Nervous System (Virtual)
Spartans can learn to recognize symptoms and elements of burnout, and learn skills that will help complete their stress cycles.
This course is offered on Monday, Oct. 6, 13, and 20.
Register for this course here.
Understanding Shame and Building Shame Resilience (Virtual)
Spartans can learn how to understand shame and build resilience skills against shame. This course will stem from Dr. Brené Brown’s research and will be based on her books "I Thought It Was Just Me" and "The Gifts of Imperfection."
Register for this course here.
Spartan Resilience and Mindful STATE Courses :
These courses help staff members learn about resilience and how and when to use it.
Here is a list of courses offered:
Mindfulness for Educators (Virtual)
This three-week course explores the connection between mindfulness and creating a healthier and more compassionate learning environment for MSU staff.
This course will run on Thursday, Oct. 23, 30, and Nov. 6 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Register for this course here.
Resilient Leadership Series (In-Person)
This in-person course for MSU staff helps them learn how to be a wise, value-guided leader during challenging times.
Employees may use available education assistance funds to pay the $655 course fee for this program.
This course will take place on Monday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Register for this course here.
Spartan Resilience: Grief and Loss Support Sessions
Through support sessions led by licensed grief counselors, Spartans can find healing and growth, should they experience grief and loss.
Grief and Loss Support Sessions take place weekly every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. through Zoom. These sessions are drop-in and free of charge.
Register here to receive a Grief and Loss Support Zoom link.
