Boston University Mental Health Fair Offers Free Screenings, Support Resources

Boston University (BU) recently hosted a World Mental Health Day fair on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the George Sherman Union to promote mental health awareness and connect the campus community with available resources.

The event featured free two-minute mental health screenings, stress relief kits, therapy dogs, and informational tables from campus organizations.

Melissa Paz, the BU Student Health Services assistant director of mental health promotion, said the event offered a convenient way for the campus community to learn more about mental health support.

“There's so much that exists, and sometimes it's difficult to navigate or remember what's available,” she said in a statement shared with BU's The Daily Free Press. “Having an event like this puts it all in one spot.”

Participants like Maria Dykema Erb from the Newbury Center said that collaborating with SHS is an example of the Center's ongoing work to support the community.

Erb volunteered as a mental health screener, where she analyzed test results from participants and directed them to campus support services.

“If [the screening] might reveal suicide ideation or wanting to hurt oneself, there are Counseling and Psychological Services clinicians right on site there, so we're able to get them to those folks for the professional conversation,” Erb said.  

Students like Grace Maloney and Emily Wu explained that BU's strong support system and events like this make mental health resources more accessible for students.

“It's nice to have something that's out in the open, that's easy to access for people,” Wu said. “It's really helpful for people who are intimidated by the process of going into therapy or talking to a counselor.”