By Rachel Vargeletis | Observer Contributor
According to the Active Minds Association, “1 in 4 college students has a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year.” And the Anti-Stigma Service project wants to talk about it.
This semester in Sheila Murphy’s Abnormal Psychology class, a group of 10 students have decided to form a class-long service project in efforts to bring light to a prevalent issue. That being: the stigma on mental illness. In specific, their goal is to highlight the way we perceive, talk, and act towards those with mental illnesses.
They hope to start a conversation that will change the way mental illness is judged entirely. As student Elise Hamblett explains, “Those with mental illnesses are simply not seen as they should be- as warriors. They fight something hidden every day and therefore are invalidated for it. It just makes no sense.”
On October 20th, the Anti-Stigma Service students took turns manning a table, stationed near the café on the Gardner campus, displaying information on mental illness, handing out sheets with resources, and encouraging a pledge students could sign promising they would actively fight against the stigma and create a more understanding environment.
Another student in the project, Douglas Marroquin, stated while at the table Thursday, “No one choses to suffer from diabetes like they don’t bipolar disorder. It is simply something that needs more positive light in hopes those who view mental illness negatively can become more educated.
The panel the students are hosting has a mental illness awareness focus continuing their theme, and will be held on Thursday, December 1st from 12:30pm – 1:30pm in the North Café. The speakers for the panel will be sharing their own stories and participate in a Q&A time for all attending.
If you would like to pledge, enter a raffle that the project is holding, attain any information on the subject, or even talk to those in the service project feel free to stop by the table at our two last dates November 10th, November 17th from 11a.m. to 2 p.m., and of course the panel event December 1st in the North Café from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The conversation is sparking, but needs to catch fire. One person can make a difference, and together we can make change.
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