By Rebecca Benyk – Contributor 

During the week of Jan. 22-27, Mental Health Awareness Week delivered activities and events designed to help the BU community improve their mental health. 

On Monday, students could visit a resource fair in the SUB to learn more about mental health resources offered both on and off campus. The Mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation Club led a meditation session in the evening.

Inspired by Taco Tuesday, Tuesday was designated “Let’s TACO Bout Mental Health” Day. For every taco sold at the Purple Pod, 50 cents were donated towards local mental health resources. Bishop’s students Alexia Côté and Rebecca Benyk organized a panel on men’s mental health. Panellists included Prof. Rafael Tedesqui and Prof. Tavis Smith from the sports studies department; Prof. Daniel Miller from the religion, society and culture department;  and students Antoine Tremblay and Drew Henkel. They discussed toxic masculinity, mental health accessibility and mental health stigma present in sports and academia. One key takeaway was that physical, emotional and mental health coexist and should receive the same level of care. The day concluded with a Mental Health Trivia Night at the Gait.

Wednesday marked BU Connections Day, where community members wrote messages of support in the SUB and the SportsPlex. Participants encouraged those facing mental health struggles or shared experiences in their mental health journey, their written notes affixed to the walls for passersby to read. This event offered free stickers and hosted a bracelet-making station. Wednesday also marked the grand opening of the Community Cupboard’s thrift store in the Quad. 

Thursday focused on the importance of maintaining strong physical health. The day began with a drop-in session of pickleball and dodgeball in the Denver Gym where attendees could snatch a study break. Eco-Motion then led a workshop addressing the stress and anxiety caused by climate change. The day finished with a breathing and stigma workshop which explained how breathing exercises can improve your mental health, reduce stress and increase mental clarity.

The Disabled and Neurodivergent Students Association kicked off “Fantastic Friday”, hosting a panel on the misrepresentation of neurodivergence and disability. This panel included student Geneve Juneau, Prof. Daniel Miller and Amanda Manning, a student accessibility specialist. An addiction awareness table was present in the SUB where the BU community could stop to ask questions and learn about available services. Mental Health Week also invited students to the hockey game in the Jane and Eric Molson Arena where the BU women’s hockey brought the day to a close beating the Université de Montréal 2-1.

Saturday, the last day of Mental Health Week, emphasized athletics. BU alumni Stephen Adekolu returned to campus as a guest speaker to share his experiences as a former Alouettes wide receiver. As with Friday, participants were encouraged to attend the basketball doubleheader against the Université Laval. The Gaiters women’s basketball team lost 76 – 80, and the men won 80 – 72.

This week was made possible with Theresa Gagnon and Olivia Woods, as well as the rest of the Mental Health Awareness Week’s planning committee.

Rebecca Benyk assisted in the organizing of Mental Health Awareness Week.