Several student groups are sponsoring Mental Health Awareness Week, Oct. 14-21, which will bring speakers and activities focused on mental health issues to campus. Organized start-to-finish by students, with counsel from Student and Campus Life staff who advise student organizations, the week will bring more than 30 events across campus that focus on student well-being.

“Mental Health Awareness Week demonstrates that mental health is a priority for our campus and community,” said student organizer Angelica Cullo ’16, who will graduate in December. “The events provide students with opportunities to learn skills to manage their own mental health and help friends and family. Every bit of awareness and education counts.”

Added student organizer Matt Indimine ‘18: “Mental Health affects each of us and in different ways. We hope to remind everyone that reaching out for help is a sign of strength.”

The complete schedule of events is online here. Highlights include:

• Spa Night kickoff, Friday, Oct. 14, 8-11 p.m. in Willard Straight Hall, with chocolate-dipped strawberries, Cornell ice cream, salads, hummus and entertainment by Swoopers and Bashers, Cornell's first spoken word poetry team. Also: manicures, henna, play with puppies, sand art, massage, yoga and more.
• On Saturday, Oct. 15, on the Ithaca Commons, the inaugural Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest honors the memory of Sophie Hack MacLeod, who died by suicide while on leave from Cornell last spring. The Sophie Fund supports suicide prevention and other mental health initiatives aiding young people in the Ithaca community. Open to contestants of all ages; co-sponsored by the Sophie Fund and Cornell Minds Matter.
• “Mind, Body and Sport” comes to the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room Monday, Monday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m., featuring a panel of athletes including Olympic rower Alex Karwoski ’12 and student athletes. They will speak about their experience with mental health, leading into an open-group discussion about maintaining mental health and balance as athletes at Cornell.
• Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1-4 p.m. on the Arts Quad, Lift Your Spirits Day will include crafts, stress-busters, yoga, Zumba, lawn games, pizza, apples, cookies and techniques to maintain your own mental health. More than 20 student organizations will be available to talk about what mental health means to their community. Rain location: Noyes Gymnasium.
• On Friday, Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m. in Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room, Dining With Diverse Minds and a hip-hop concert by Carnegie Mellon student Kai Roberts. Roberts’ high energy is complemented by the honest narrative of his battle with anxiety and panic disorder; gradually taking the journey into his emotions, through his disorder, and into his recovery. Co-sponsored by ALANA Intercultural Board and Cornell Minds Matter.

“We need to stop thinking of mental illness as a plague that needs to be ‘fixed.’ It is a condition that one-fourth of our population lives with, like diabetes or other medical conditions,” said Cornell Minds Matterstaff adviser Casey Carr. “With treatment, a healthy lifestyle, respect, support and a stable sense of belonging, everyone can thrive, achieve and be happy.”