In support of students’ mental wellness, Harper College hosted its sixth annual Fresh Check Day on March 12th in the Building D Rotunda from 11 am – 2 pm in partnership with the Jordan Pruco Foundation (JPF).
Various Harper College organizations hosted themed booths including Hawks Care, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), Counseling Services, and the Harper Police Department (HCPD) all aimed at engaging students with themes of mental health and exposing them to the resources Harper has to offer.
Students received information from multiple groups participating in the event. The “9 out of 10” booth had information on mental health and hotline information, and the “Uplift” and “Empower” booths provided activities for students to participate in.
Harper Police Department (HCPD) ran the “Rise Up” table, and touched on a subject that they felt students need support with.
Officer Johnette Van Dien, Emergency Communications & Records Supervisor for HCPD, shared that several people have reported that they have been victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
“I have had a number of people tell us that they have been victims of all three,” said Officer Van Dien. “Students, their friends, their family members, anyone whose life they touch, to know we see them. We believe them. If they are being victimized in any way, go to their police department. The Harper College Police are here 24/7, 365.”
The event, held to give students a break from the stress of midterms, offered students a moment to stop and pause while walking through the rotunda.
Beth McPartlin, Manager for Harper Wellness, was part of the team that organized the event and reflects on why this event is essential for the community, especially for Harper students.
“According to the 2022 National College Health Assessment, 48% of Harper College students reported experiencing moderate psychological distress and 21.5% reported experiencing serious psychological distress,” McPartlin said as she addressed the survey. “Moreover, 35% of Harper students reported that stress negatively impacted their academic performance, and 20% of students reported depression as a factor that has negatively impacted their academic performance.”
Freshman Nyxx Chavez found the event through Harper’s Wellness Instagram. Chavez reflected on the event and how it affects her mental health.
“I think the fact that they are putting an effort into helping people who are struggling with their mental health makes me feel better because it feels like I’m not the only one right now,” Chavez shared.
The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and their K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry also participated in the event. They are an affiliate member of the Lutheran Church Charities (LCC), and they brought a couple of their K-9 comfort dogs to the event.
Kristin Shafer, one of the dog handlers, spoke about how she helped contribute to the event and helped students with their health.
“We’ve had a lot of kids stop by. We’ve had some teachers, we’ve had workers stop by, and it’s been really good,” Shafer added. “I think this whole awareness and mental health awareness is vital, and I’m glad to see the school do it and really take it seriously.”
According to McPartlin, the event was a success, as many participating groups noticed the students were engaged. The event attracted around 200 students, many of whom engaged with the event booths.
Some booths offered prizes by spinning a wheel, and another booth, specifically the “Rise Up” booth, had students write messages of support to victims of domestic violence and place them on a house.
The event was marketed on both fliers and Instagram. However, some students were unaware that the event was taking place in the Rotunda.
Kendall Vagle, who worked the “Boost” booth for Campus Recreation said, “A lot of people came here not knowing that this event was happening so I think it helps give people information that they didn’t know was available to them, and that’s the most important part is awareness and making sure that students understand their resources that are on campus and that are for them.”
In a survey provided by the organizers of Harper’s Fresh Check Day, 60.63% of the students are much more aware of the mental health resources Harper has to offer.
McPartlin added, “After attending the event, many Harper students felt much more comfortable knowing the warning signs of suicide and the mental health resources available to them. Ultimately, if we were able to help just one student seek out help or be more aware of resources and support available to them, then I think that is one more student we were able to serve and support.”
The event itself has been labeled a success by both the event holders and the students themselves, and Harper College accomplished the goal it aimed for.
The Harper groups that participated in the event and had booths were:
- Counseling Services – Counseling Services Booth
- Advisory – Uplift Booth
- Library – Follow Your Art
- Hawks Care – Thrive Booth
- Campus Recreation – Boost Booth
- ADS (Access and Disability Services) – Mood Matters
- SVA (Student Veteran Association) – At Ease Booth
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) – Empower Booth
- SGA (Student Government Association) – Younique Booth
- Harper Police Department (HCPD) – Rise Up Booth.
For more information on upcoming events, check out the Harper Events page, follow Harper Wellness on Instagram, and stay posted on Harbinger’s Instagram, Harbstudentnews.
