Group Campfire and Petting Zoo Cap Off Mental Health Week

Trinity students gather by a campfire

outside the Murchison Hall

Photo by Nate Borchers

By Nate Borchers

Trinity students got to spend some time with chinchilla’s, lemurs and even a llama on Friday at the petting zoo set up near the Coates University Center as part of the Mental Health Week.

These animals are considered therapeutic and have been shown to help those dealing with mental illness, and students adored them.

"I do think that animals have useful medicinal purposes. There's just something about being around them that helps you feel calm and valued in a way," said Chelsea Runacres, a sophomore in Biology. "Even if you aren't currently experiencing a mental illness or know someone who is, the event still puts a smile on your face and helps you forget about the bad exam or assignment you might've just gotten back."

The night before, as the sounds of guitar and laughter filled the air, about a dozen Trinity students gathered around a campfire consisting of notebook paper and all the firewood that could be found on the Trinity campus, and shared their experiences of dealing with mental health issues.

The discussion began as some students read poems from the likes of Raymond Carver and Shel Silverstein about happiness and emotion, and moved along with games of telephone that dealt with skewed signs of mental instability.

The discussion then became more thought provoking, as students were asked what they would do in the scenario that one of their friends or family members was showing strong signs of a mental illness. Answers ranged from contacting the friends’ family to referring them to a professor or to counseling services on campus.

The awareness week was organized by Trinity Progressives, a student organization that promotes progressive ideals and facilitates discussion on tough issues. With the help of Trinity's Counseling Services, the organization holds the mental health week every year.

"I've experienced mental illnesses amongst some of my friends back home and I'm glad that there's not only services at Trinity to treat mental illnesses but also programs to raise awareness about it, so that all of us can help," said Max Marolt, a sophomore Business major.