By Julian Feurer
During the University of Maryland Mental Health Coalition, students were given a chance to focus on their well-being during Mental Health Awareness Week. The coalition hosted activities including Planting Healthy Roots Bingo and the Self-Care Fair from Sept. 28 through Oct. 2.
To kick off the week, the coalition hosted Planting Healthy Roots Bingo, an event in collaboration with Terrarium Therapy to bring awareness to the mental health benefits of plants.
“We always have found that working with plants and just plants in general have a really calming effect, and also can really take you out of the everyday stresses,” Brooke Meely, Terrarium Therapy workshop host, said.
At this event, students played rounds of bingo to win plants while learning about the benefits of plants and making friends. Annemarie Melbye, a freshman government and politics major, said this event helped her connect with her peers.
University of Maryland freshman government and politics major, Annemarie Melbye wins a plant at Planting Healthy Roots Bingo. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
A University of Maryland student holds a succulent received at Planting Healthy Roots Bingo. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
A caller reads numbers at UMD Mental Health Coalition’s Planting Healthy Roots Bingo. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
Bingo tumbler at UMD Mental Health Coalition’s Planting Healthy Roots Bingo. Photo by Julian Feurer.
“Events like this are important because it really brings a sense of community,” Melbye said. “You feel less alone on campus when you can meet up with other people, and all have the same interest in something.”.
The Self-Care Fair, hosted on Sept. 30, offered another opportunity for students to learn about mental health tools and resources. The fair, which was held on McKeldin Mall, included an inflatable slide, fair foods, therapy dogs and tabling organizations such as Bias Incident Support Services.
At the fair, students could explore on-campus resources through the tabling organizations and clubs. Julian Livingston, a master’s student studying higher education policy and committee member of Bias Incident Support Services, said he hopes this allows students to feel that the university cares about their well-being.
University of Maryland students pet a therapy dog at the Self-Care Fair on Sept. 30. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
University of Maryland students pet a therapy dog at the Self-Care Fair on Sept. 30. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
University of Maryland students pet a therapy dog at the Self-Care Fair on Sept. 30. Photo by Julian Feurer. 
University of Maryland students pet a therapy dog at the Self-Care Fair on Sept. 30. Photo by Julian Feurer.
“I hope the people here can realize they’re not alone in that there are all these resources,” Livingston said. “That we’re here to support in all different avenues.”
Other Mental Health Awareness Week events included the Cozy Concert Series on Oct. 1 and mental health screenings on Oct. 2.
As UMD Mental Health Coalition’s Mental Health Awareness week came to a close, the event gave students the chance to step away from the stressors of school and explore what self care means to them.
“Hopefully, people can take away to just take a break, destress, and realize you’re not alone. All these resources are here for you, as you’re here at the university,” Livingston said.
Featured Image: A University of Maryland student is handed cotton candy at the Self-Care Fair on Sept. 30. Photo by Julian Feurer.