MENTAL HEALTH CARNIVAL 2022:
A CELEBRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH

After two years of virtual events, we returned to campus by putting together a carnival for our annual celebration of mental health. As with the Mental Health Banquet, our goal remained the same: to destigmatize the conversation surrounding mental health and to increase access and awareness for mental health resources. We invited representatives from the Peer Support Centre, Wellness Supports, the Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta (EDSNA), and the Landing to present the various dimensions of mental health and provide students with feasible resources they can access. The carnival included activities such as a hand painting station to allow students to reflect on who they are and leave their mark,  the "I Weigh Campaign" station allowing individuals to write down their achievements on a weighing scale with the message that you are worth more than a number on a scale, and a mirror activity with a distorted mirror covered with a inspirational words from fellow students. Another key component included the "Mental Health Story Walk" highlighting individual mental health stories from our Capture Your Mind program. Lastly, we encouraged all attendees to take a moment to appreciate and support a loved one through an Active Appreciation card. 

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The carnival was thought to be a form of celebration that would be more accessible and suitable as we returned back to campus. The smell of popcorn and bubble guns surely lured some students in, but we were surprised and extremely delighted to see over 200 students attend over the span of two days and join us in spreading the conversation surrounding mental health!