- A world that needs to be more accepting
- ‘Big Mouth’ season three explores growing up, puberty…and beyond
- The new and the old
- The color pink is the color of hope
- Disney shows its big ears
- Modernizing elder health care
- It’s time for change – PERIOD.
- Funding the future
- Remembering America’s moral compass
- The rich need to be taxed more
Checking in
Quinnipiac University hosts Fresh Check Day promoting the importance of mental health

On Friday, Oct. 6 Health Services hosted Fresh Check Day on Bobcat Way from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fresh Check Day promotes mental health awareness and tries to eliminate the stigma.
In six years, Fresh Check Days have grown from one to 250 throughout the country in 35 states, according to Rachel Papke the communications manager of the foundation.
Health Service employees Mary Pelitteri, Kristen Dafonzo and Kerry Patton work year round with the Jordan Porco Foundation to put this day together.
“We try to capture it in the first six weeks of the semester,” Patton said. “It is not just for freshmen, but for those students that are very new to the college transitions and adjustments.”
It is a team effort from the Quinnipiac community to have this day be a success. Quinnipiac sends an email to faculty and different organizations on campus with the information and booths offered.
“A variety of people from all over campus volunteer,” fitness center employee Tami Reilly said. “Everyone from Res Life to fraternity and sorority life. Even different professors have gotten involved along (with) their students.”
Residential Life kicked off the event Thursday by placing pairs of donated shoes around the Quad. S.H.O.E.S stands for Students Honoring Others’ Everyday Struggles. Each set of shoes had a note attached with a true story about students’ struggles on it.
The lively atmosphere from Fresh Check Day created a welcoming environment that drew in people who passed by. Music, food and free mugs, shirts and bags were bait to lure participants in for the important meaning behind the day.

“Elephant in the room,” another station, gave students the opportunity to write down their daily stressors and let it go anonymously.
The LGBTQ+ community was represented as well at the event. Their station had students answer one of a series of questions about who they love, what they love, what makes them happy. The answers were connected in a chain to show what being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community means to them.
Along with informational tables, there were also relaxation stations as well. A masseuse gave students brief messages. There also were gongs and recliners set up for meditation.
Although Quinnipiac only has one Fresh Check Day, the work to provide mental health and suicide prevention is year round. Health Services puts a magnet with the suicide hotline number in all freshman dorms each year.
Public Safety, Residential Life and the Health Center encourage students who are or have friends that are struggling to talk to proffesionals.
“Understand how subtly our life affects us,” associate professor of psychology William Jellison said. “Day-to-day stress and hassles, can slowly wear us down. It’s important to take care of ourselves, eat well, get plenty of sleep, talk to people when you need to. It’s the day to day stressors that have the greatest impact on us.”
Comments
About Kristen Altmeyer
Related Posts
Latest News
-
A world that needs to be more accepting
As a Jewish-American woman, I am fortunate to say that...
- Posted October 23, 2019
- 0
-
‘Big Mouth’ season three explores growing up, puberty…and beyond
“Big Mouth” is a great show, depending on who you...
- Posted October 22, 2019
- 0
-
The new and the old
Open house took on a new format under the new...
- Posted October 22, 2019
- 0
-
The color pink is the color of hope
The color pink was spotted from all over the Lighthouse...
- Posted October 22, 2019
- 0
-
Disney shows its big ears
Disney fans, hopefully you’ve been counting down the days until...
- Posted October 22, 2019
- 0
-
Modernizing elder health care
A Quinnipiac University professor will meet with the nation’s lawmakers...
- Posted October 22, 2019
- 0
-
It’s time for change – PERIOD.
A passerby strolling the sidewalks may have heard an unusual...
- Posted October 22, 2019
- 0
advertisement
Latest Headlines
-
A world that needs to be more accepting
As a Jewish-American woman, I am fortunate to say...
- October 23, 2019
- 0
-
‘Big Mouth’ season three explores growing up, puberty…and beyond
“Big Mouth” is a great show, depending on who...
- October 22, 2019
- 0