Students ‘stomp out’ stigma and spread awareness – The Rider News

By Morgan Dickens
Mental health advocacy and fun-filled activities were shared on Rider’s Campus Mall on April 14, offering resources in the campus community that are available to students in need. 
In partnership with the Multicultural Studies Program, the Counseling Center presented its Stomp Out Stigma Wellness Fest. This event highlighted 42 different on-and-off-campus organizations, helping to break the stigma of mental health and showing students how to build skills to support one’s wellbeing. 
Students enjoyed various activities, including a raffle and an obstacle course for a chance to win prizes. The Rita’s Italian Ice truck maintained its popularity, as students lined up to get some assistance in cooling off during the hot day. The gentle spring atmosphere was filled with feel-good music, such as “Blame it on the Boogie” by The Jacksons, provided by 107.7 the Bronc. 
Tables lined the perimeter of the Campus Mall, all representing different organizations. Senior psychology major Sharon Yu hosted one of the many Counseling Center tables at the event. There, students were met with a kind smile and a raffle card for a chance to win some prizes. Students were encouraged to visit different tables to complete a quick task to get a sticker for the raffle ticket, and once their card was full, students could go to the prize table to collect their winnings. 
Yu shared that, not only was the event meant to spread awareness about mental health, but also to provide a place for people to converse freely and not have to be shy to learn more about mental health. Staff psychologist Jill Siletski at the Counseling Center shared the same sentiment, also sharing how the event coincided with Unity Day.
Siletski said, “Unity Day is an annual day that is meant to bring the community together. … We really wanted to highlight not only the stigma around mental health, we also wanted to show that our community is strong and vibrant.” 
Stomp out Stigma Wellness Fest brought attention to well-being beyond physical health. Siletski shared her desire to have the fest be a part of Unity Day, saying “so we could show we are unified, we are a community and we really believe in what’s happening here.”
While the majority of tabling was done by Rider organizations, such as the Student Health Center, Black Men United and the Rider Spanish club, one section was dedicated to outside organizations that also work with Rider and its students.
Penn Medicine, Circle of Strength, a service for ones with disabilities, and Younity, formerly known as Womanspace, a domestic & sexual violence support group, came out to show their support for Rider and help spread mental health awareness
Grace Flagler, a prevention and community educator at Younity, said she was happy to come out to Rider. She shared how she enjoys interacting with the students, and in light of sexual assault awareness month, she wanted to decrease the stigma on survivors. She shared how some survivors do not share their story for fear of judgment and wanted to show them that this organization is here for them, spreading the message, “We see you, we love you, we are here to support you!”
Messages of support, good music and fun activities during the sunny spring afternoon were what attracted students like senior arts and entertainment industries management major Mekhia Gwynn.
Gwynn participated in the obstacle course and shared that she enjoys coming out to events like these that help bring the community together. 
“I didn’t even know this was happening! But I love fun campus events,” Gwynn said.

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