Upbeat music, laughter and the scent of potted plants filled Coates Esplanade as students engaged in crafting stress balls, rock painting and conversation — all in the name of mental health awareness. The Mental Health Extravaganza, held on Oct. 9, was the focus of Trinity’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Primarily held and supported by Trinity’s Active Minds Organization, other clubs such as Trinity University Volunteer Action Community (TUVAC) and The Hidden Opponent joined in participation to promote wellness and community support.

Students walking by saw stations where peers painted pots and planted aloe plants, drew on colored pages, painted rocks and made stress balls out of balloons and orbeez beads. Deshonell Higgins, Wellness Services programming coordinator and the Active Minds advisor, oversaw many of the activities. Helping manage the extravaganza, her background in public health and ongoing work with mental health resources made her an important player, which she discussed in depth over an email interview.

“In collaboration with Active Minds, I wanted to highlight the many people and services available so students leave feeling less alone and more empowered to reach out when they need help.” Higgins wrote. “I hope that students took away two main messages: that support is always within reach, and that seeking help is a true sign of strength.”

Marlene Krueger, sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major, is a student worker for Wellness Services on campus and was present at the extravaganza. She said she hoped to engage peers in learning more about the mental health services and organizations.

“We have rock painting, snacks and just a lot of fun activities to de-stress,” Kruger said. “It’s really great for students to come and maybe look into some new clubs.”

With the end of the Mental Health Awareness Week and its festivities, the extravaganza reached much of the student body with numerous club-sponsored activities and a large space to talk and learn. Going ahead, the Active Minds organization and the Wellness Services continue to give resources for students experiencing mental health struggles and a source to reach out to.