Students will participate in activities all week long to help them destress and provide them with mental health resources and emotional and other support, culminating with Salukis Care Day on Friday, during which they can enjoy the rock-climbing wall and much more. (SIU file photo)
October 06, 2023
SIU’s Salukis Care Week, Oct. 9-13, to help students with emotional wellness
CARBONDALE, Ill. — During Salukis Care Week, set for Oct. 9-13, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is partnering with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to ensure all students have the personal, psychological, mental and emotional support they need in order to not feel overwhelmed, exhausted or anxious. A variety of special activities are planned all week long, culminating with Salukis Care Day on Friday, Oct. 13, and various campus organizations and departments will offer information, resources and help to students as well.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover Salukis Care Day, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Faner Plaza. (In case of rain, the event will be at the Student Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Various activities are planned, including a climbing wall, poignant art projects, photo booths, chalk fest, dream wall, inflatables and much more. For additional information, contact Jacari Henderson at jacari.henderson@siu.edu.
Faner Plaza is the place to be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, for students for free food (including ice cream and snow cones), giveaways, games, inflatables, the rock-climbing wall and Chalk Fest, where students can write positive quotes or affirmations with chalk to share with one another. Students can Smash Your Stress, breaking glass and repurposing pieces to create individual artwork, or make DIY affirmation bracelets, choosing words and adding them to bracelets to wear all year long, courtesy of the Wellness Center. Students can collaborate to color special Salukis Care coloring sheets to reduce stress and anxiety, too. In case of rain, the event will be at the Student Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
CAPS and the Psy Di student organization will be providing mental health resources and depression screenings, hosting a college dreams photo booth and sponsoring a dream wall, giving students the chance to add their academic, professional and personal goals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Midday offers a chance to have a positive conversion with a campus police officer while enjoying a popsicle. Cops with Pops, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is about promoting positive interactions with local law enforcement.
The theme of the week is “Strengthening and Supporting our Salukis,” and each day has its own theme as well. Counselors from CAPS, a unit of Student Health Services, are available at various locations across campus for students 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12:30-9 p.m. on weekends; call 618-453-5371 for locations and information. USG is funding the CAPS appointments during Salukis Care Week.
Find the complete schedule of events and more information online.