Alive! Mental Health Fair visits BBCC Thursday

MOSES LAKE — The Alive! Mental Health Fair, an interactive and educational suicide prevention and awareness event, is coming to Big Bend Community College Thursday.

The travelling fair is organized by IMAlive.org, and aims to help start the conversation about mental illness and suicide prevention among college students. Since 2010, the fair has visited more than 40 colleges across the country.

“I believe the mental health awareness fair is important because it helps educate the students on campus about resources out there that could help them with any mental health problems,” said ASB Vice President Joshika Suresh. “It also helps students identify any significant signs that might occur and how to notice them in others to get them the help they need.”

Alive! will feature two interactive educational stations where students can learn more about different mental illnesses and their symptoms, as well as two creative artistic stations for students to share secrets, fears, concerns and positive messages of hope.

The stations will all be located in the Peterson Gallery (ATEC) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students can also catch screenings of two documentaries, “Veterans in Crisis: Press #1” and “Bullied” during the event. The screenings will take place at 11 a.m. and Noon, respectively, in the Masto Conference Center.

“It’s important for people to know that they aren’t alone, and there are people out there that want to help them. And it’s also important for students to know the signs so they can help others around campus that are struggling,” said ASB President Cydney Schaapman.

Students are encouraged to stop by between classes and can stay as long as they would like.