Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University will hold a Wellness Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Student Center in Ypsilanti. The event aims to address mental health stigma by encouraging open discussions and increasing awareness of available support services.

The fair is organized by Professor Ron Flowers and the Building a Community of Caring task force. It is intended for students, faculty, staff, and community members to help them make mental health and self-care part of their daily lives.

“It's okay not to be okay,” said Flowers. “We want talking about mental health and wellness to be seen as a regular part of our daily lives. The more we can normalize those discussions, the better equipped our community will be to support one another.”

The event will feature more than 30 organizations, including BeBetter, Rackham Mental Health Institute, and Therapeutic Recreation. Attendees will have access to resources and activities such as face painting, coloring books, wellness readings, and live jazz music. EMU’s mascot Swoop is also scheduled to appear.

Flowers explained that the fair aims to provide practical information while also creating an enjoyable atmosphere. “We want attendees to leave with a better understanding of self-care, knowing when to reach out for help, and discovering the many resources available to them,” he said. “And we want them to have fun doing it.”

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is one of Michigan's oldest public universities and currently serves nearly 13,000 students across various degree programs.