BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Student Government Association, in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Month, is hosting a Mental Health Awareness week September 12-16th. The medical students are hosting events at the medical school to promote good mental health and to bring attention to all of the resources available for students in need of support.
“Mental illness transcends across all health professions. We have invited our neighboring Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Pharmacy students here at Campbell to join us in the week’s events,” said Emilie Pinto, 2016 CUSOM SGA President. “We will host a number of activities on campus to educate students about mental health concerns related to the healthcare profession and address topics such as suicide incidence, mental health stigma, and mental illness, and host activities aimed at improving student mental health and well-being. It is our hope that, through these events, we can bring attention to just how important mental health is and to make sure that ALL of our students know that they are never ever alone.”
The week kicked off on Monday, Sept. 12, with Dr. Jeff Krepps, associate director of behavioral health, giving a short lecture about mental health concerns for healthcare professionals and Puppy Therapy provided by cute puppies from a local animal shelter during the afternoon. The students also hosted a quiet candle lighting memorial service open to all students and members of the community at the Campbell University chapel to honor loved ones who have lost their lives to suicide or who are struggling with mental illness.
“CUSOM SGA is committed to ending the stigma surrounding mental health, said Pinto. “With 1 in 4 medical students reporting symptoms of clinical depression and nearly 400 physicians lost to suicide each year, CUSOM SGA is committed to starting the conversations necessary to break the stigma that surrounds mental health among healthcare professionals now – while we are in medical school. We hope this Mental Health week will be a springboard for developing mental wellness at our school and in our profession.”
“We hope to show our classmates that they are never alone in their struggles,” said Kelsey Staudinger, SGA Mental Health Awareness Week Chair. “Mental illness, suicide, depression, anxiety – we hear about these things all the time, yet nobody really seems to want to talk about them. They’re like the dirty little secrets that you brush under the rug, afraid to bring up in conversation out of fear of judgement or embarrassment.”
“The unfortunate truth is that we live in a world that puts a stigma on those who suffer from mental illness,” said Student Doctor Staudinger. “Mental health is labeled as a “personal problem” that you should be able to “control,” and as a result, many people choose to not seek treatment at all. They keep these dark secrets hidden inside themselves. Inevitably, many of these people will take their own lives.”
“Mental illness is not a disease of the weak. It is something that affects all of us, regardless of age, sex, background, occupation, class, or zip code. It is found in the young and the old, the rich and the poor. It is even found among doctors,” continued Staudinger. “Things don’t have to be that way though. We have the power to change things. We have the power to remove the stigma and remove the label placed on mental illness. We just need to start by talking about it and that is exactly what we are doing this week.”
The week’s activities will include:
Tuesday, Sept. 13
- Encouragement Clothesline – a clothesline of encouraging notes from students, faculty, and staff will be hung in the Levine Hall Commons.
- Movie Night
Wednesday Sept. 14
- HUMP Day coffee AND DONUTS!
- 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – The #COMMIT Campaign
- The COMMIT Campaign is a photo-based movement that seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Photo booths will be set up around Levine Hall for students, faculty, and staff to take photos.
- 12:30p.m. – The Psych Club will host a de-stress event in the Levine Hall café – baked goods, Play-Doh, and coloring available.
Thursday, Sept. 15
- 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Stigma Balloon Popping
- Students can write how they feel they are stigmatized on a balloon and SGA will hold a “popping” ceremony where the balloons are popped to signify letting go and a new beginning.
Friday, Sept. 16
- Spirit Day! Students are encouraged to wear purple and teal in honor of National Suicide Prevention month.
- 12:30p.m. – 3 p.m. – FREE BBQ for Campbell Health Graduate Programs
- 7 p.m. – “Out of the Darkness 5K Run/Walk.”
- This NIGHT RUN will take place at the Campbell University Irwin Belk Track. $5 to participate – includes free glow gear for you to run with! All proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.