SOCORRO, N.M. – New Mexico Tech is hosting its first Fresh Check Day on Friday, Sept. 6, to support the mental health awareness among students and employees. 

The Office of Counseling and Disability Services is organizing a variety of activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn between the gym and Brown Hall.

Director of Counseling and Disability Services Angela Gautier said that Fresh Check Day needs the support of the whole campus community to be successful. The event needs donations and volunteers. Whether you can offer an hour or two or a whole afternoon, the event need general volunteers as well as point people for each booth to insure the smooth running of each booth and to oversee volunteers throughout the day. Email Angela.Gautier@nmt.edu for more details.

Students will participate in activities that promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness, decrease stigma and increase connection with other students.  Students will be empowered by peer messaging and learn about their campus, community and national supports. The OCDS will host interactive booths with fun and informative activities. The event will include free food and plenty of prizes as well.

Fresh Check Day is a signature program of the Jordan Porco Foundation, which aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health. Fresh Check Day aims to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally.

In order to ensure successful implementation and continued campus mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, Fresh Check Day thrives on full endorsement and support from higher level administration. By engaging the entire college community in this campus-wide movement, students are reminded that they are not alone and that their mental health is valued just as much as their physical health or their academic standing.

The Office of Student and University Relations has donated $1,000 to the cause.  Any other department or division interested in supporting this effort should contact the Director of Counseling and Disability Services Angela Gautier at angela.gautier@nmt.edu

– NMT –