Great Response to Fairfield’s First ‘Fresh Check’ Day
Approximately 700 students turned out for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÊÓƵÎÞÏÞÖƹۿ´’s first-ever Fresh Check Day held last Wednesday, Oct. 16, on the Barone Campus Center Green. The event featured live music, free food, ice cream, vibration sound massage, relaxation pets, interactive expo booths, prizes, and more.
Fresh Check Day is the signature program of The Jordan Matthew Porco Memorial Foundation (JMPMF). JMPMF works closely with colleges to plan and fund Fresh Check Day in an effort to bring awareness to mental health resources and coping strategies on college campuses.
Fresh Check Day is a celebratory fair-like event that includes interactive expo booths, live music, free food, exciting prizes and giveaways and a kick-off teaser event featuring a dynamic mental health speaker prior to the event. Capitalizing on the research supported peer-to-peer messaging, Fresh Check Day utilizes interactive booths that deliver mental health and resource messaging in a fun and engaging way.
Fairfield’s Fresh Check Day was geared to raise awareness among our students about mental health issues and, importantly, the many resources Fairfield offers that can ultimately save students’ lives.
“Fresh Check Day was held so students can learn how our programs can provide them and their friends support if the stress of college life becomes overwhelming,” said Susan Birge, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services.
The event was sponsored by many areas on campus including Counseling & Psychological Services, New Student Programs, Student Involvement, Residence Life, the Health Center, and numerous student groups.
“Fresh Check was an extremely successful event at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÊÓƵÎÞÏÞÖƹۿ´. Students and administrators worked together to create an atmosphere of openness about mental health and the importance of seeking help when going through difficult times,” Dr. Birge reported. “Based on the success of this event, Fresh Check will definitely be offered to our students again next year.”
