Before walking the campus, Indiana University Northwest President Arrick Jackson told students and staff that it is important for the school to help each other.
“Mental health is a crisis,” Jackson said. “Start seeking help as soon as possible and it will help us break the stigma.”
Jackson was one of the speakers ahead of the university's fourth annual March Against Mental Health Stigma on Tuesday. The walk began at the Moraine Student Center and wound its way across campus, including along the sidewalk on Broadway.
The IUN Counseling Services Office has helped students access services on campus. The Lutheran Church Charities was also present with its K-9 comfort dog ministry.
Dan Fulkerson, who works for Comfort Dog Ministries, said the organization uses golden retrievers to help with therapy throughout the country. The group had two dogs at IUN Tuesday: Jael and Michael.
“They're cuddly,” Fulkerson said of the golden retrievers. “Everyone wants to pet a golden retriever… These guys are very affectionate and always want to snuggle next to you.”
Fulkerson said the dogs' home base was Hobart, but Jael went to Uvalde, Texas, after the elementary school shooting, and Michael went to Arkansas.
“Wherever they ask us, we will go,” he added.
IUN Counseling Services Director Alex Copeland thanked Jael and Michael for their presence on Tuesday and for their support with mental health issues.
Before Tuesday's walk, Copeland explained the importance of the university's action against mental health stigma. She's proud that students are prioritizing mental health for themselves and their peers, Copeland said.
“Thank you to everyone for participating in our event and helping us raise awareness about mental health,” she added. “You’re making a change and helping start a conversation about mental health.”
IUN provides a variety of mental health services, including free counseling, which is free for university students, Copeland said. The Counseling Office offers one-on-one tutoring, counseling groups, and a variety of outreach activities throughout the school year.
“We are here to support students emotionally and academically,” she added.
Mariam Amiruddin, a senior lecturer at IUN, also spoke about the importance of university mental health services.
Amiruddin also said she was pleased to see how many students attended the March Against Mental Health Stigma on Tuesday.
“I see people from different cultures and different backgrounds, and people who have had different experiences have many of the same experiences with mental health,” Amiruddin said. “The important thing is that you all showed up and this is a step towards destigmatizing mental health.”
Growing up, Amiruddin said she found it difficult to express her emotional feelings. What helped her was going to college and hearing others talk about it.
“You are helping me overcome this,” Amiruddin said. “You allow me to give a voice to other members of the community who don't have a voice. So now these little things will add up and help.”
