Various campus organizations and clubs came together to bring World Mental Health Day — a global event seeking to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health — to Los Medanos College on Oct. 10. The event also took place at the Brentwood Center on Oct. 9, with both celebrations encouraging students to look after their mental wellbeing.
Largely organized by students affiliated with Student Life, LMC’s World Mental Health Day invited others to partake in various calming and creative activities. Tables were set near the Student Union, where a speaker played relaxing music; this would transition to more upbeat pop music later on.
Several designated crafting tables had been established in the same area, featuring Play-Doh and materials to create bracelets. A larger table allowed students to make and fly kites in the autumn breeze.
One student, Lady Jella, created a kite to represent her table group in biology — the “Bio Baddies.” She first heard about the event through a flier in the Student Union, and when someone working the table asked if she wanted to make a kite, her response was, “Of course!”
Jella then got to work while her friends made bracelets.
Some of the other tables included the LMC Marketplace, CalFresh, Active Minds, and Pride Alliance. Student Life was also present near the kite crafting to promote future campus events.
Active Minds — a club whose purpose is to address the mental health needs of students, faculty, and staff, whilst providing resources — hosted an activity for participants to write a card to their future self, or to someone in need. They would then be given a journal, and either a pen or a stress ball.
The table hosted by Pride Alliance offered temporary tattoos and Glitter Blessings — “a simple act of anointing someone with glitter to celebrate individuals in the LGBTQ community and offer care and support to those in need,” a sign read.
The overall event was coordinated by Student Life Ambassadors Pamela Pereira and Leo Chavarria, who had been planning it for over a month.
Chavarria expressed that all the planning and the emails could be hectic, especially dealing with invitations and untimely responses.
“I think it was really enlightening to see the process of how much effort just goes into setting up an event like this,” he said.
In relation to the event’s themes, Chavarria added, “I think we all need to take a little bit of time to slow down in our daily lives. I think we’re all going so fast, and it’s nice to just take a little bit of a breather and take care of yourself.”
While World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on campus, the kites are a new addition.
“This is the first time we’ve had an event like that,” said Pereira. “I think it’s really good.”
According to Pereira, the kites came up during a brainstorming session, as they were noted to be relaxing. A lot of discussion also centered on potential craft activities, drawing, and the process of making something neat; so naturally, the idea to create and fly kites was implemented.
Basic Needs Program Coordinator Megela Ohare shared how proud she was of the effort students exhibited in bringing this event to life.
“It was really good to see their leadership in promoting these activities,” Ohare said, noting that the entire process was rewarding. “We hope to have more activities and events like this, that are run by the students.”
She then added, “Because the students know what students want.”
