Although the sun set an hour earlier, a packed Stafford Commons shined bright Wednesday evening with neon flashing lights for the Mental Health Ambassadors’ annual event, “Glow Up for Mental Health.”
The student-led event’s goal was to bring a fun and engaging atmosphere to the conversation surrounding mental health, hosting an assortment of glow-in-the-dark games, including cornhole, mini golf, passing out temporary tattoos and glitter and holding a s’mores stand.
Student organizations and campus partners such as Prevention Services, the Psychology Club and NC State’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness were tabling. They provided glow-in-the-dark swag, treats, support and information on NC State’s mental health resources for students.
The event kicked off at 5 p.m. with an address at 5:30 p.m. by Isaac Carreno, student body vice president and a third-year student studying social work and political science.
“We’re here today to recognize that mental health is health,” Carreno said.
Carreno emphasized the importance of utilizing NC State’s resources like the Counseling Center and Prevention Services to assist with any challenges students face.
“There’s something for everyone, no matter what you may be going through,” Carreno said. “I want to remind you all that we are all on this journey together. No one is alone. Let us unite as we glow for mental health, not just today, but every day.”
Following the address, Lilly Kirn, a mental health ambassador and a third-year studying psychology, stood behind the colorful podium and shared a personal story highlighting her experience juggling mental health in college.
“When I came to NC State as a freshman in the Exploratory Studies program, I felt incredibly lost and alone,” Kirn said. “I was overwhelmed by the number of students here, the work, the separation from family and friends and the completely irrepressible feeling of autonomy.”
Kirn shared how her strength and resiliency, as well as the help of campus partners, made a difference in her journey. Connecting with NC State’s mental health resources also helped guide Kirn into her dream career.
“My dream has always been to work in the mental health field and be the support that saved my life for others,” Kirn said. “NC State gave me the voice and space to know that I don’t have to wait to follow my dreams.”
Kirn said one of the biggest goals of the event was to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health while also bringing together and strengthening the community. In the last year alone, Kirn announced that over 50% of NC State students reported feelings of isolation and over 60% reported feelings of depression.
“I am not alone in the experiences that I’ve shared, and neither are you,” Kirn said. “Seeking support is vital, whether that be talking to a friend, reaching out to a family member, confiding in a trusted adult or using the multitude of resources available to you on campus.”
Kiki Davis, a fourth-year studying environmental science, attended the event and said it highlighted the benefits of having fun and de-stressing on overall mental health and wellbeing.
“This event is really cool because it’s a fun thing to do, and you’re not — the focus is mental health — but it’s actively helping it, rather than just discussing it,” Davis said. “I think that having a fun event where there isn’t too much thought is really important because in college you’re thinking all the time.”
Christy Sigmon, a mental health ambassador supervisor and outreach and resiliency specialist at Prevention Services, said seeing students and volunteers come together to bring the event to life was inspiring.
“I think that this event really, truly is a community event,” Sigmon said. “We just had so many student [organizations] and different clubs and different campus departments coming together.”
