By Will Gilson, Currier Times Staff///

Feeling stressed out? Wish to learn more about Mental Health? Attend Fresh Check Day on Thursday, April 4th from 11 am-2 pm on the Academic Quad, and find out ways to improve your well-being.

One of the unique aspects of Fresh Check Day at Curry is that students contribute to the planning. Dej Kelly, a first-year Psychology major, and a member of the planning committee for Fresh Check Day hopes the event will increase the well-being of the student body.

“I hope that Fresh Check Day will allow Curry to continue to have an adaptable atmosphere where students feel accepted and comfortable to speak their truths regarding their personal mental health,” Kelly said.

Kelly also highlights the impact Fresh Check Day has had in the past.

“Fresh Check Day has helped with mental health awareness at Curry by promoting the importance of the issue in a positive way that is appealing to students,” Kelly said. “By having a hands-on event, students are allowing themselves to get involved and educating themselves on different techniques that can be applied to themselves and to help and uplift others.”

Other students also have hopes for Fresh Check Day. Ean McGonigle, a senior Psychology major also on the planning committee, hopes Fresh Check Day encourages students to join the conversation about mental health.

“I think mental health and suicide prevention can be hard conversations to have,”McGonigle said. “Which is why I hope Fresh Check Day is able to change the stigma and allow people to talk openly while learning.”

McGonigle also hopes students enjoy Fresh Check Day. “It’s an event that is talked about and known by the students,” McGonigle said. “The students who attend fresh check day learn more about resources on campus, the counseling center, and other information regarding mental health.”

Fresh Check Day is an event held across the country at various colleges and universities with the goal of encouraging students to share their experiences with mental health through various activities. This event was created by The Jordan Porco Foundation, a non-profit organization named after Jordan, a college freshman who died by suicide in 2011 that seeks to prevent the act of suicide.

Curry has had it since 2018. Some of the activities offered to students this year include painting rocks and contributing to a communal canvas, free food, corn hole toss, obstacle courses, ponies, and prizes.

In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved inside to the Miller Field House.

For other mental health concerns, students can visit the Counseling Center at 1016 Brush Hill Road, on the 2^nd floor on Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, or call 617-333-2182. The 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Line is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).