Students participating in activities during Salukis Care Day.

Salukis Care Day on April 8 is designed to help students enhance their mental health and well-being while having fun. SIU Carbondale photo

April 01, 2026

SIU’s Salukis Care Day supports student wellness, helping them thrive and succeed

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Salukis Care at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In celebration of that ongoing commitment to students, their emotional wellness and helping them thrive and succeed, the campus will celebrate with a full day of special activities on Wednesday, April 8.

The Salukis Care Day “Salukis Standing Together for Self-Care Support and Scholarship” event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Faner Plaza and the Student Services Building. It features a host of activities to help students relax, enjoy themselves, and enhance their mental health and well-being. Salukis are encouraged to come and go, enjoying activities before, after an in between classes.

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover Salukis Care Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at Faner Plaza. For questions, contact Jacari Henderson at jacari.henderson@siu.edu.

Food, games and fun galore

Throughout the day, students can pose for pictures in the College Dreams Photo Booth and share their academic, professional and personal goals by writing on the Dream Wall or on a cutout to stick on the wall.

The schedule of events also includes:

  • Free pizza and subs for students, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.
  • Water Dawgs, free beverages for students, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Games, rock climbing wall, giveaways, inflatables, coloring station, hammocks for relaxing and more, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Chalk fest with students encouraged to share positive affirmations and comments on the sidewalk, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Cops with Pops is a chance to get acquainted with campus police while enjoying free popsicles, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Mindwise anonymous screening – an opportunity to check your mental health status by completing anonymous behavior health questionnaires while also learning about mental health resources on campus from Counseling and Psychological Services, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Help needed

Volunteers are needed to help make the day a success. Email jacari.henderson@siu.edu by 3 p.m. April 3 to register.

For additional details about Salukis Care Day or the Saluki Cares program, visit the website or email siucares@siu.edu.