Billy Holmes ’25
Staff Writer
On Tuesday, September 24th, Fresh Check Day took place at Holy Cross and it appeared to be a tremendously successful event! Fresh Check Day is a national event which takes place throughout the academic year where the event’s primary goal is to promote mental health and reduce stigma regarding discussions of mental care and overall well-being. Many colleges and universities participate in Fresh Check Day. Schools such as the University of Rhode Island, Fairfield University, University of Iowa and Worcester State University are planning on having their campus-wide Fresh Check Days occur in the month of October. Fresh Check Day was created in 2012 by the Jordan Porco Foundation, formed in 2011 by Ernie and Marisa Porco whose son Jordan died by suicide during his freshman year of college. The organization’s mission statement directly states that their goal is to “prevent suicide, promote mental health and create a message of hope for young adults.” The goals outlined in the Foundation’s mission statement directly coincide with the goals and objectives of Fresh Check Day which made it such an important and impactful event at Holy Cross.
In the beginning of the event, students would come up to the registration table to learn about the basics of the event and to also collect a sheet of paper which would allow them to later enter a drawing. After each student completed the registration process they would go around to various booths which were promoting several different mental health topics such as depression, anxiety and stress. One specific booth, required at all Fresh Check Days across the nation, is called the “9/10” booth. The “9/10” booth focuses on the topic of suicide prevention and its name is based around research which states that 1/10 college students will contemplate suicide and the 9/10 refers to the fact that college students can help those around them who are struggling with their mental well-being. At the various stations there were staff members of CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services) and or club members of COPE (Counseling Outreach Peer Educators). By incorporating both the professional counselors of CAPS and the students who are involved in COPE, the event struck a strong blend between mental health professionals who could share their expertise with students; while also having college students who were willing to display their advocacy and empathy towards the subject of mental health.
There was also a plethora of prizes and treats available throughout the duration of the event. For example, there was a plethora of snacks such as pretzels, chips and candy which went along with the prizes which were able to be won by several students such as a pickleball pack and new headphones. Upon the conclusion of the event, around 300 people had stopped by to enjoy everything that was offered. Overall Fresh Check Day was an incredibly enjoyable experience based on both the emphasis of self-care and mental health along with the fun, lively atmosphere of the event.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross COPE
Copy Edited by Annamaria DeCamp ’27
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