Fox Cities News

Fresh Check Day, a mental health outreach initiative, recently took place at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO) for the first time. The event featured interactive booths and activities aimed at promoting suicide prevention and mental health awareness among students.

Kim Helm-Quest, health promotion manager at the Student Health Center and UWO alumna, stated, “This is the first time we’ve hosted Fresh Check Day at UWO. We’re hoping to host another one in September. The goal is to promote mental well-being, educate students on the warning signs of suicide and offer coping strategies, all while building a sense of community and campus pride.”

The event marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month on campus. Fresh Check Day is organized by the Jordan Porco Foundation in memory of a young man who died by suicide. Thanks to a grant from the Kubly Foundation, UWO was able to host this event free of charge.

Helm-Quest explained that various booths provided unique approaches to wellness. Students could participate in activities such as yoga or coloring or engage with stations like “Nine Out of Ten,” which focused on peer support for suicide prevention. Another booth named “Unique” encouraged students to discard insecurities and affirm positive self-images.

Lauren Piumbroeck, a sophomore nursing major from Green Bay, contributed to running a body positivity station. She said, “We’re just trying to promote the well-being of other students. It’s a great way to help people see themselves in a better light and remind them they’re not alone.”

An interactive booth called “Follow Your Art” invited students to color a large canvas depicting an aerial view of UWO’s campus. This activity highlighted community connection and holistic health while discouraging smoking and vaping.

Helm-Quest noted that events like Fresh Check Day address growing concerns about student mental health by fostering social connections. Sannai Pettis and Rose Heu, both first-year social work majors, appreciated discovering available resources through this initiative.

Pettis remarked on how visible these resources were during the event: "Especially with it being such a nice day, everyone’s outside." Heu added that they frequently use massage chairs at the Student Success Center as part of their self-care routine.

Both students advocate for utilizing campus resources like counseling services actively. They were also inspired by affirmations shared during Fresh Check Day's body positivity booth.

Helm-Quest emphasized ongoing efforts: “We want students to take responsibility for their own health and the health of their fellow Titans... there’s a whole community here that supports them.”

More information can be found through UWO's Student Health Center.