Mental Health Awareness Week was observed during the first week of October. Biola University held the event from Oct. 23 through Oct. 26. The Office of Student Wellness hosted events where students had the chance to explore different ways to better their mental health while in college. The theme for the event was “Grow through what you go through,” which was displayed through the different activities hosted. 

On Monday, students were invited to visit the morning chapel service where the week’s plans were announced and discussed. Students were then invited to the Student Union Building’s Fireside where they were treated to refreshments and snacks as they took part in watercolor painting. 

Students were given the chance to build a coping skills box at Fluor Fountain on Tuesday and the Student Union Building’s Fireside on Wednesday. These boxes consisted of stickers, journals, snacks and notecards with helpful breathing techniques. 

On Thursday, students were able to plant cacti in pots they took home with them. This left students with a reminder to continue to grow.

Nicholas Arreola, a senior psychology major, said, “I think [Mental Health Awareness Week] was well run. I really like the vision that they had with it and I think with the ways that the methodologies that they implemented to try and really recreate that vision, I think they did a good job.”