Students at SIU Carbondale enjoy various activities during Salukis Care Week.

September 25, 2026

SIU invites students to recharge during Salukis Care Empowerment Week

by Maxbiya English

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Salukis Care Empowerment Week returns to Southern Illinois University Carbondale Oct. 5-8, offering students a week of activities focused on mental health, financial literacy and community support.

Jacari Henderson, interim assistant dean of student support, wellbeing and success, said the week is meant to help students navigate the demands of college life. “Our goal for Salukis Cares Week is to educate, motivate, empower, and prioritize the mental and emotional health of our Salukis,” Henderson said.

Wellness Wednesday, the week’s centerpiece

The week builds to Salukis Care Day, also known as Wellness Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Faner Plaza and the Student Services Building (SSB). 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.

The day’s schedule also includes:

  • Free pizza, hot dogs, subs, snow cones and ice cream for students, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.
  • Water Dawgs, free beverages for students, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Games, a rock-climbing wall, giveaways, inflatables, a coloring station, hammocks for relaxing and more, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Chalk fest, with students encouraged to share positive affirmations and comments on the sidewalk, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Cops with Pops, a chance to get acquainted with campus police while enjoying free popsicles, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Mindwise anonymous screening, an opportunity to check your mental health status through anonymous behavioral health questionnaires while learning about resources from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the event of rain, the celebration will move to the Student Center Ballrooms.

Volunteers are needed to help make Salukis Care Day a success. Those interested should email jacari.henderson@siu.edu by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, to register.

Other Empowerment Week events:

Mentality Monday — Oct. 5, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Student Health Center Auditorium

  • Welcome snacks to start things off
  • CAPS presentation on positive psychology
  • “Ask Your Counselor” panel
  • Positive affirmation tote-decorating activity
  • Games with medical providers to wrap up the afternoon

Turnt Tuesday — Oct. 6, Student Recreation Center

  • Free healthy snacks, noon to 1:30 p.m.
  • Zumba, cycling, boxing, yoga and more all day, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Student Appreciation Luncheon — Oct. 6, noon to 1:30 p.m., SSB 150/160

  • Panel discussion: “Supporting the Whole Student: Family, Life, and Academic Balance”

Financial Education Thursday — Oct. 8, 3 to 4:30 p.m., SSB 150/160

  • Pre-workshop activity
  • A Regions Bank financial literacy workshop, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register here.
  • Pizza provided

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover Salukis Care Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Faner Plaza.

Learn more

For more information about Salukis Care Week or the Saluki Cares program, visit salukicares.siu.edu or email siucares@siu.edu.