Dionte Berry
Contributing Writer
dberry11@murraystate.edu
To celebrate “Feel Good February,” the Racers Empower: Healthy Mind, Healthy Campus initiative partnered with several on-campus groups to share mental health tips and campus resources, as well as relaxing activities like rock painting and plant potting.
Mental health has gone through major stigmas, but in recent years mental health awareness has triumphed over the negative connotations. To continue the trend at Murray State, the Racers Empower initiative was established to spread mental health awareness and make campus resources known with monthly activities.
Racers Empower is a collaborative effort of both faculty and students. The event was led by the Office of Student Engagement and Success, the Counseling Center and the Wellness Center.
They were joined by the student organization Active Minds, which focuses on spreading monthly mental awareness.
In partnership, the organizations provided statistics regarding stress in college. They said eight out of ten college students suffer from frequent stress.
To follow up the statistics, they provided tips to reduce stress. These stress reducers include exercise, coloring and spending quality time with friends and family.
Tips on how to stay positive—using positive words, complimenting others and believing in yourself—were also provided.
These organizations came together to create a safe and positive space for Murray State students to discuss mental health. Racers Empower member Jennifer Smith, who is a coordinator for the Office of Student Engagement and Success, was happy to be a part of the initiative.
“Our main goal in the office is make sure that students are academically successful while looking out for their personal health and well-being,” Smith said.
This is the second event hosted by Racers Empower, the first one being “Jump Start January.”
“In January we shared campus resources, helped students with time management and posted goals on the Empowerment Wall,” Smith said.
The Empowerment Wall allows students to post positive messages for themselves and others that correlate to the theme of the month.
“Since February is known for Valentine’s Day, the Empowerment Wall will spread messages of love,” Smith said. “Students can write on a sticky note what they love about themselves and stick it to the wall.”
Junior education major Hillary Weathersby appreciates the initiative because they don’t ignore mental health issues.
“They don’t try to pretend that mental health issues don’t exist,” Weathersby said. “They give us ways to cope with stress and anxiety and let us know that we aren’t alone.”
Weathersby also said knowing there are people who are willing to help is important.
For those looking for a safe space to learn more about mental health and the resources that Murray State has to offer, Racers Empower is open to all students.
The event was sponsored by the Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology and the School of Nursing and Health Professions, which partnered with the Office of Student Engagement the Success.
To learn more about Racers Empower and stay updated on upcoming events follow the Murray State Student Affairs Instagram @studentaffairsmurraystate and their Twitter @racersuccess. Their next event is “Mindful March” at 11 a.m. on March 30 at the Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge.