Wellness isn’t just mental (emotional) health—it’s also about the physical, intellectual, occupational (financial), spiritual, and social dimensions.

Fresh Check Day is a campus-wide mental health fair held Feb. 29 from 12–2 p.m. in Olmsted. Fresh Check Day is unique from more traditional programs around mental health in that it combines a fun, fair-like atmosphere with constructive conversation around mental health and wellness and suicide prevention. It also helps students get connected with important campus resources. There will be interactive booths hosted by campus offices and student organizations combined with music, games, prizes, giveaways, and tacos. Some of the main goals are to help students understand that they are not alone in what they may be struggling with, that Drake cares about campus-wide mental health, and that there are resources available to help.

One staple booth at Fresh Check Day events is Nine out of Ten. The Jordan Porco Foundation (who coordinates Fresh Check Day nationally) explains, “One in ten college students contemplates suicide. That means that at any given time, nine out of ten students have the opportunity to help that one who is struggling (if they are aware of the warning signs and resources).

We’d love to see you in Olmsted on Feb. 29 (Leap Day) from 12 – 2 p.m. at Fresh Check Day, where you can find resources to support your own wellness and learn more about helping your fellow Bulldogs.

— Laura Shell, Academic Excellence and Student Success