A student-led mental health fair centered on “Ending the Stigma,” will feature information regarding a variety of mental health topics including anxiety, depression, trauma and self-confidence on the third floor of Stover Campus Center Feb. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. 

The 15 to 20 booths ran by on-campus clubs will have themes related to both mental health and the organization’s particular purpose, according to Cassaundra Zadinski, a junior psychology major and one of the main organizers of the fair. 

Zadinsiki was “surprised and encouraged” by the number of student groups that were interested in participating. According to Zadinski, her expectations have already been exceeded in relation to student involvement.

“One of my biggest goals for this mental health fair was to get as many people from campus involved as possible,” Zadinski said. “To show that we have a community that is supportive and accepting of different people and their stories and experiences.”

Zadinski, in coordination with the members of her committee and the groups participating in the event, are “dedicated to the cause.”

“Understanding mental health is one thing, but when you care about it enough to actually advocate for it, it’s a totally different investment and story,” Zadinski said.

Waynesburg has hosted mental health fairs in previous years, but, according to Zadinski, the event stopped occurring when the original organizer graduated. Zadinski attended a fair as a freshman and noticed a gap on campus without the event. She met slight resistance initially proposing the idea during a Peer Leaders meeting.

The members, according to Zadinski, said that it was a “big responsibility” and that everyone was already spread thin. “I said ‘If I need to do it, I will do it myself’,” Zadinski said. Her dedication to the creation of the event included not only the organization but advertising with flyers and on the campus radio station. According to Zadinski, she was inspired by her own struggles to create the theme for the night: “Ending the Stigma.”“Everyone is willing to admit that they broke their arm, but not everyone is willing to openly and freely admit that they struggle with mental diagnosis. It’s a lot harder. There is a lot more shame with mental illness than any other medical issue,” Zadinski said.

“There shouldn’t be. I really want everyone to feel empowered.”To help improve attendance as well as help students feel welcome, the event will feature music, refreshments and a “relaxed atmosphere” according to Zadinski. “I feel like so often when people have conversations about mental health it is really sad and miserable, but it doesn’t have to be,” Zadinski said.Interactive activity tables, including a meditation booth, will give students the opportunity to engage as well as learn information about mental health.

“I feel like I have a very important story to tell,” Zadinski said. “I want to be able to tell that story in a way that impacts large amounts of people and the fair seemed like the perfect opportunity to spread awareness.”Zadinski’s determination in reinstating the mental health fair aligns with her major, her personal struggles as well as benefits the campus community.  “I want it to go past just education — I want it to be a night about support, encouragement and understanding that having a mental health diagnosis or experiencing domestic violence aren’t ending points for people,” Zadinski said.