Help Stop the Stigma: IMALIVE Mental Health Fair

Centenary students were educated on mental health stigma during the IMALIVE Mental Health Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

IMALIVE partnered with Centenary’s Counseling Center to host a fair dedicated to showing students the importance of mental health awareness. 

The event held different stations and students cycled through each to have their event cards stamped. Once they completed the entire card, they were given a free shirt.

Each station focused on a different aspect of mental health awareness. 

Share a Secret

At the first station, two tables were set up for students to write down a secret and anonymously share it. They were tasked to reflect on a situation they struggled with and how they coped with it, providing washi tape, markers, and stickers for decorating the cards. 

Questionnaire

Students answered questions about mental health that were located on the back of their event cards. The questions pertained to knowledge on mental health awareness, such as key stress factors or signs of struggling. Once completing the questions, students were allowed to pick a free prize, which included infinity cubes, magnetic stress balls, or multicolor bounce balls. 

Brain Game

This station held cards listing different symptoms for mental health disorders. The goal of the game was to match the symptoms to the disorder, teaching students about signs and side effects of mental health concerns. 

Fact or Fiction

Next to the Brain Game was Fact or Fiction, which held cards with statements about mental health. Students were tasked to figure out if the stereotype was true or false, spreading awareness on misconceptions and stigma. 

Uwill Mental Health

One of the stations held information about Uwill Mental Health, which is an organization founded in 2020 that helps campus counseling centers with mental health support. They offer counseling for students with no insurance or cost necessary. For more information, check out their website and contact information. 

Mental Health Stigma

Centenary Athletics hosted a table discussing stigma surrounding mental health, as well as offering information about opioid addiction treatments. They had an activity where students were able to write about the hidden opponent they face daily.

Giveaway

Mikolaya Nynka, director of Centenary’s Counseling Center, hosted a giveaway for students to enter and win a tabletop fountain. 

Student Thoughts

As students navigated through the stations and learned more about mental health, they opened up about their thoughts on the event and the importance of mental health awareness. 

“I absolutely loved and appreciated the mental health event. Raising awareness for such a significant thing is incredible to see on our campus,” said Poppy Skjonnemand, senior English major. “My favorite table was the hidden opponent table. I am a student-athlete myself and have had personal struggles with my mental health. I’m beyond thrilled that this event was successful!” 

“The mental health fair was very meaningful, as it showed me things I did not know about mental health before,” said DJ Dunlevy, freshman business administration major. “I had gone to the brain game to try and guess the facts or fiction. When I found out I had gotten the answer wrong, it helped me learn a lot more about mental health.” 

“My favorite part of the event was the Share a Secret activity because it felt good to release something,” said Victoria Autocunas, junior social work major. “I learned how important mental health really is, especially in the social work profession because I went with my class.”

“The mental fair was great! As a student-athlete and campus leader, I believe it becomes extremely easy to lose track of your own mental health while tending to others,” said Jordan Henderson, senior animal health major. “This fair reminded me that even I need to slow down and enjoy fidgeting with many of the trinkets supplied to us!”

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As IMALIVE says, it is important to keep showing up and end the stigma. Keep an eye out for more mental health events in the future. 

The Counseling Center is located at 605 Grand Avenue and is open Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m, as well as offer walk-in hours daily from 12–1 p.m. They can be reached at 908-852-1400 extension 2125, or via email at counselingcenter@centenaryuniversity.edu.

If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal ideation or crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifelife via call or text message. You can also chat with the lifeline directly here.