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Mental Health Awareness Week Mental Health Awareness Week

Syracuse University shows support for people struggling from mental illness.

By Riley Didier

FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATION TAKES AN ENTIRE WEEK TO CELEBRATE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS BY HOSTING EVENTS AND CONCERTS TO BRING ATTENTION TO MENTAL ILLNESS. ALEXIA RODRIGUES HAS SUFFERED FROM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY FOR MOST OF HER LIFE AND SHE EXPRESSED TO ME HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT THE IDEA OF MENTAL HEALTH.

(“I think everybody around us has some sort of anxiety and some sort of depression because of the pressures that all of us face today, like no matter your age and your social or economic status, everybody has some sort of anxiety.”)

THIS PAST WEEK, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY HAS HOSTED MANY EVENTS TO BRING AWARENESS TO MENTAL HEALTH, AND TO CLOSE OUT THE WEEK, THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION IS PUTTING ON A STOP THE STIGMA CONCERT IN HENDRICKS CHAPEL. BUT DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, SOPHOMORE SARAH DEITCH BELIEVES THE UNIVERSITY COULD DO MORE WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH.

(“I mean I know they have stuff on the quad, but I think the that Barnes Center could be more, like, open for drop in appointments when people really need them.”)

TODAY AROUND 450 MILLION PEOPLE SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY IS WORKING TOWARDS BREAKING DOWN THESE STIGMAS THAT SURROUND MENTAL ILLNESS. TODAY STUDENTS CAN EVEN TIE A GREEN RIBBON, ON THIS FENCE RIGHT HERE, TO SHOW THEIR SOLIDARITY FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS. WITH N-C-C NEWS, I’M RILEY DIDIER.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Every year, 1 in 5 U.S. adults struggle from mental illness, and this statistic only continues to increase. For the past four years during the month of October, Syracuse University has shown its support for those who are struggling from mental illness.

This year proved to be more successful with the opening of the brand new Barnes Center at the Arch. The Syracuse University Student Association was able to put on many events such as a Mental Crossroads Panel, Guided Meditation, and a Stop the Stigma Concert to close out the week.

While some viewed this week as a success, Alexia Rodrigues, a sophomore who struggles with depression and anxiety, feels this week of celebration is just a start, and that the school needs to do more.

Syracuse University’s goal during this Mental Health Awareness Week was to show people it is OK to not be OK, and that it is never frowned upon to talk about your issues. The University also wanted to make students aware that there are plenty of resources they can use to help in their mental health journey.

Mental Health Awareness Week Starts Today

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