As a way to inform students on the several resources that Eastern offers, the Health Education Resource Center collaborated with the University Board for a mental health and wellness fair called A Journey to Wellness.
Dozens of tables were stationed around the Student Recreation Center in Groniger Arena with program leaders there to inform students about the opportunities their organizations could offer on Tuesday.
At one table was Brandy Schlanser, a member of Community Outreach and Recovery Support who assists people without housing issues and people with drug addictions.
Schlanser struggled with addiction for over two decades, she said, and faced being unhoused. Her job allows her to make a change in her community.
“It gives me compassion to help others,” Schlanser said. “I’ve been in their shoes, and I know what it takes to get out of it to help them.”
At another table was Dana Tell, the coordinator for the Recovery Oriented Systems of Care – Illinois Statewide Network.
She said the goal of the organization was to develop pathways for people in recovery.
Tell works to make sure Narcan is available to the public. There are over 30 Narcan stations in the Mattoon and Charleston area combined.
While working as the supportive services for veteran family case manager for the Salvation Army in 2019, Tell said three people on her caseload died and she knew that a change had to be made.
“I realized that I needed to sit in a different seat to help those people,” Tell said.
Student leaders also took advantage of the event to inform students about resources they may not know about.
Lesly Nazon, a graduate student, promoted the academic support center as a graduate assistant.
Throughout his two years in the job, Nazon said he has seen multiple students shift their academic life once joining the support center.
Although having no intent to become a teacher, Nazon said observing the change in change in students meant a lot to him.
“We got a lot of comprehensive programs for students, just to make sure [they] are successful, such as workshops, academic coaches to help with study skills, test-taking, tutoring, goal setting and time management,” Nazon said.
If attended, students had the opportunity to receive a free flu shot and interact with the University Police Department therapy dog, Koji.
Arts and crafts stations were set up around the gymnasium for students to relieve a bit of stress.
Across the way was Tiffany Murdock. She works at the Hour House, a drug rehabilitation center in Charleston under the prevention office working primarily with fourth and fifth grade students.
Murdock said she teaches them about social-emotional learning and about safe medication storage lessons.
While this may be an early stage for children aged 8 to 10 years old to learn about this, Murdock said by them being informed at that age, it sets a blanket of protection for them.
“That way when they’re getting all the correct information. Then when we see them in six, seventh or eighth grade, those are also blankets of protection,” Murdock said.
The fair served its purpose by informing students about the numerous resources that the Charleston community has to offer them.
Sam Pickett, a senior graphic design major, said he discovered avenues that he was once unfamiliar with.
“I’ve learned a lot from this,” Pickett said. “I realized how many opportunities there are here. It was really cool, especially just to realize they they’re all here to help us.”
One station that stuck out to him was one regarding domestic violence. Pickett gained inspiration once he realized the support others give to those who are going through hardships.
Pickett said he planned on utilizing the resources he learned about and sharing them with his friends.
Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or at cahardy@eiu.edu.