SIUE to host Fresh Check program for student mental health

EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host Fresh Check Day, an event designed to bring the campus community together to “check-in” on the mental health and wellness of college students. SIUE’s Fresh Check Day will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, when the Stratton Quadrangle will be transformed into an expo-like atmosphere to bring together interactive exhibits combined with food, prizes and giveaways.

“Fresh Check Day will bring together our campus community to engage in topics related to mental health in an open, affirming manner,” said Lisa Thompson-Gibson, a member of the planning committee and project coordinator of SIUE’s iCare suicide prevention initiative. “We are excited to provide a forum to expand personal wellness while learning how to be supportive of others’ mental health.”

A concept created by The Jordan Porco Foundation, the event is free and has been organized by iCare with the support of SIUE Counseling Services and the SIUE Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing. The event is a collaborative effort among the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Student Fitness Center, Active Minds, College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP), Student Government, Campus Activities Board, Gay Straight Alliance and Safe Zone, fraternities and sororities, Student Art Therapy Association, SIUE Police Department, and the Prevention Education and Advocacy Center (PEACe).

Booths will feature peer-to peer messaging in a positive, community-focused setting. This year’s event will include a DJ and separate half-hour Zumba and yoga demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

Popsicles and bottled water will be provided. The Dining Services food truck will also be on hand. Should it rain, the event will be held in the Morris University Center Goshen Lounge.

The SIUE Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing, and SIUE Counseling Services received a Campus Suicide Prevention Grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2015. The grant allowed SIUE to introduce the SIUE iCARE suicide prevention initiative, an aggressive, multi-tiered approach to increase awareness and education on recognition of at-risk behaviors of students in crisis, improve campus policies and procedures for assisting these students, and reduce negative stigmas of counseling and help-seeking.

For more information, contact Thompson-Gibson at 618-650-2842 or lithomp@siue.edu.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose to shape a changing world. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.

More like this:

Duckworth Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Prevent Correctional Officer Suicide

May 16, 2026

Senate approves Belt measure expanding suicide prevention education and 988 access

Apr 16, 2026

Centerstone Hosts ‘You Are Not Alone’ Event With Art Unveiling

Apr 28, 2026

Suicide Prevention Awareness And Education Could Be Expanded Under Belt’s Measure

Mar 11, 2026

Belt’s Measure Expands Suicide Prevention Awareness and Education  

Feb 28, 2026