By Leighah Beausoleil
The McCarthy Center forum was flooded with FSU community members, eager to learn more about mental health and participate in the “Fresh Check” event’s activities April 13.
This was the Health Center’s fourth time hosting the event at FSU, according to Pam Lehmberg, coordinator of wellness education.
This event is part of the Jordan Porco Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at promoting suicide awareness and prevention. The foundation’s “Check In” events offer a “fresh” solution to discussing mental health on college and university campuses, according to its website.
Each booth stationed in the forum shared a method and message of suicide awareness and prevention.
Many student and community organizations hosted a table, including Dance Team, SEALS Peer Health Educators, FSAB, the Center for Inclusive Excellence, and Voices Against Violence.
Therapy dogs were also available for students to sit with and pet.
Lehmberg said the most important booth of all was the nine out of 10 table.
She said statistics have shown out of 10 college students, “nine of them are not contemplating suicide – maybe one is. So this group is all about educating the nine who aren’t, to know the warning signs, how to help someone, what resources to call, and how to ask that question.”
During the event, students visit five tables and have a card stamped, according to Lehmberg. The nine out of 10 booth is a requirement.
“I’m really excited that we’re doing this again,” she added.