Eastern Michigan University had its Mental Health and Wellness Fair Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 12-2 p.m. in the Student Center, featuring a variety of booths and tables on the Student Center patio and the first floor of the Student Center.
Different groups and organizations attended the event, providing attendees with info packets, games, candy and other items.
Some organizations at the Mental Health and Wellness Fair included EMU's Disability Resource Center, EMU's Women Resource Center and Tinker, EMU's facility dog. Students were able to listen to live music, learn about different wellness resources on and around campus, make arts and crafts, grab giveaways and win prizes.
Two other organizations in attendance were Michigan Minds, a group for people experiencing psychosis, and Heigra Health, a behavioral health group that offers services for people of all ages. Alexandra Schmaeman, member of Michigan Minds and Heigra Health, and Lindsey Michael, member of Heigra Health, spoke with The Echo about these programs.
"We work with people and their families who have just had an experience with psychosis and maybe been diagnosed with something like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and [who are] just kind of trying to figure things out," Michael said. "We help them and anyone who's a support in their life, get things back on track, stay healthy, stay out of the hospital."
She said that the tagline for Michigan Minds is "thriving with psychosis." Michigan Minds wants people who have experience with psychosis to be able to live their best lives and not have psychosis hold them back.
"We want people to be able to live the lives they want to live," Michael said.
Swoop's Pantry was also at the Mental Health and Wellness Fair. Swoop's Pantry is located in the basement of Pierce Hall and is open four days a week, Monday through Thursday, from 12-5 p.m.
Swoop's also has a free thrift area that is available to all students. Students must fill out an annual intake form to access Swoop's services, and alumni can shop for up to a year after their graduation date, according to information provided by the pantry.
EMU's Counseling and Psychological Services, CAPS, was at the Mental Health and Wellness Fair, as well. Erin Shaffer, a clinical social worker at EMU, was at the CAPS booth with stress balls and flyers.
"We offer 12 free counseling sessions to students who are enrolled, and it's for each year," Shaffer said. "It resets at the beginning of each school year."
CAPS offers group sessions, too. Two of the groups that Shaffer mentioned on were the Students of Color Support group, which focuses on the experiences of students of color, and the Lavender Link Up group, which focuses on the experiences of LGBTQ+ and questioning individuals. The Students of Color Support group meets Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. and the Lavender Link Up group meets Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
These group sessions do not count towards a student's 12 sessions.
"We also have crisis resources available," Shaffer added. Some of these resources include the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, the Crisis Text Line, the Trans Life Line and more, which can be found on the CAPS webpage.
