Fresh Check Day Comes to Stonehill
By Kymani Greaves
Stonehill’s annual Fresh Check Day, sponsored by the Office of Health and Wellness, offered stress relief and mental health services for students on campus.
This event took place in the middle of the main quad and featured tables sponsored by organizations and clubs on campus. Stonehill campus partners and community resources, including Veterans Affairs of Brockton and Easton Wings of Hope also took part in the event.
Fresh Check Day was started by the Jordan Porco Foundation. According to the Office of Health and Wellness, this organization “emphasizes peer-to-peer support to promote help seeking behavior, self-care, and coping skills.”
Fresh Check Day events are held nationally and have been coming to campus for over ten years now.
Table activities included crafts, mental health screenings, music, and giveaways. Students also had the opportunity to get free COVID-19 and flu vaccines at a clinic brought to the quad.
One of the biggest hits of the event was the baby farm animal petting zoo. Bunnies and goats were welcomed to campus, enjoying the sunshine as much as the rest of us.
Students who attended the event say the tables and petting zoo provided a calming break from a time when academic demands are ramping up across campus.
"This event helps people who are already having exams, which can lead to burnout; it gives them a chance to relax and take time to themselves," said senior Peterson Charles. "This helps freshman and seniors get a break in the school because it can be hard for new students and upperclassman.”
Mental health awareness and suicide prevention were the two driving forces behind Fresh Check Day. Some tables offered counseling services, mental health support, information about health and wellness centers, the flu clinic, and suicide prevention month.
"This event is here to let people know that there is more to do on campus," said senior Anna Casey. "The fresh checkup is great to tell friends about clubs and other good information on and off campus.”
Sophomore Zakai Perkins attended the event and said it was a relaxing experience.
"Would and should bring a whole group of friends to see other friends for a while and relax for some time," he said. "This is a big help for second year and new students to talk to many different people and get to know them and make friends.”
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