Located in the Chamberlain Student Center’s Eynon Ballroom and decorated with vibrant colors and inviting tables with endless activities, Fresh Check Day 2024 attracted a variety of staff and students, bringing in all genders, ages, and reasons for attending. Rotating titles through the years, Thursday, Oct. 10 marked the Wellness Center’s sixth annual “check-in” day, which aspires to bring people together while advocating for mental health. It is designed, as the title indicates, to encourage guests to check in with their overall well being, but specifically with their mental health. 

Rowan University provides extensive tactics for upholding student needs, advertising the Wellness Center’s availability of resources for the Prof family. Between Counseling & Psychological Services, 24/7 Emergency Support and Crisis Counseling, Rowan Strive to Thrive, and multiple links to online health resources, there are easily accessible places for students to gravitate towards when seeking help. Anyone searching for assistance can visit the Rowan University website or navigate to the Wellness Center’s online tools and in-person availability for answers as they reach out for support. Rowan’s campus formulates frequent opportunities for promotion of overall well-being, one of which being Fresh Check Day.

“Once they [students] start to, you know, get involved, get some snacks…start to do all the activities at the tables, they’re leaving with smiles, and to me, that means more than anything,” said the head event coordinator, Brittany Auleta. 

Auleta has been working at Rowan for 11 years and is dedicated to planning an experience that is rooted in community and well-being. A version of this is confirmed to be in the works for next year thanks to the hard work from Auleta and her team behind the scenes.

“It absolutely takes a village, for sure,” said Auleta.

This year, serendipity prevailed and the event just so happened to end up on the increasingly celebrated, World Mental Health Day. The event featured activities such as bracelet making and sampling fresh pumpkin bread from Gourmet Dining. This all-inclusive celebration with student volunteers, food, refreshments, and free prizes hosted by representatives from clubs on campus and university-run groups like Accessibility Services. In addition, there were tables set up by members and organizations of the Glassboro community. 

Professors even sent their students as part of their assignments for their courses. 

Freshman nutrition major Tyla Philippe said, “It was for my Rowan 101 class and they said to come here for our Strive to Thrive and I’m enjoying it so far.”

Jordan Hollis, also sent from a Rowan 101 class said, “It turns out I’ve been going around, table to table, and I’ve been finding out new facts and interesting ideas.”

Members of the Rowan community, however, were not the only ones in attendance.

Nicole Walters and Sierra Neal, licensed therapists from the Center for Counseling and Education LLC, ran a table where participants could gain insight on coping tips as well as answer a wellness-based question to spin the class wheel for meaningful and relevant prizes such as journals and stress relief toys. 

“Very early on, I just had a fascination with psychology in general, in the brain, the way that we work, and our human strength, the innate things like seeking love and connection. I think that’s just beautiful,” said Walters.

Walters and Neal’s values surrounding mental health both actively align with the mission of this event, which is, at its root, to uplift yourself and those around you. 

“I have a special heart for college students and adults. I feel like sometimes it can be a little bit of a forgotten population. You know, we have a lot of resources for kids and a lot of resources for the elderly community. But in the middle, it’s kind of like, just figure it out,” said Neal. 

They shared their desire to come to Rowan in an attempt to inspire students to pursue guidance in this uncharted stage of life where open communication and skills for recovery or maintenance can be less common. Fresh Check Day and its army of organizers are motivated by the need for awareness in young adults and committed to destigmatizing mental illness on college campuses, just like Walters and Neal.

If you missed Fresh Check Day this year, though, don’t sweat it. Look out for another “check-in” event from the Wellness Center around this time next year.

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