The Campus Activities Board, the Counseling Center, and CLUE News hosted a Relaxation Station event on Tuesday, March 25, where students and faculty participated in multiple activities to calm nerves and ease their minds.

Inside and around the Green Dolphin Lounge in 1C, students around campus spent a few hours capturing their own version or understanding of peace at the different stations of the event. One of the stations introduced to students at the front entrance of the Campus Center was hosted by the volunteer non-profit organization, Attitudes In Reverse (AIR).

AIR’s “In Their Shoes” exhibit was divided into three sections, the main one consisted of shoes worn by New Jersey youths who lost hope after battling a biological brain illness, with a quote attached to each shoe from a struggling youth. The Legacy Shoes section consisted of shoes of those who have experienced a mental health disorder or biological brain illness and the VIP Shoes were shoes donated by celebrities and public figures.

AIR trustees Tricia and Kurtis Baker spoke about AIR’s mental health plans while highlighting the importance of each section of “In Their Shoes.” Specifically, the Legacy Shoes and the awareness we should all have to understand and be mindful of what people can be dealing with mentally.

“With the Legacy Shoes, we say their names because they deserve to be remembered and to show we love them and always will,” said Tricia Baker. “For people who don’t deal with a biological illness, they have no idea how it is to fight that every day, which is why showing empathy and being kind can have a bigger impact than you may think.”

AIR volunteers were also accompanied by AIR dogs who are a part of the Paws for Minds Therapy Dogs program. As tough as it may be for those with allergies to or fear of dogs, for dog-loving people, these AIR dogs are specifically trained to alleviate stress and bring comfort to students from elementary school through college. These dogs across campus also tag along with their volunteer human partners at every mental health programming event hosted by AIR.

One AIR dog recognized as an AIR dog All-Star is a female Pomeranian named Hope, and she attracted an endless crowd in the Green Dolphin Lounge with many students looking to spend time with her. Hope’s human partner, Danielle DePalma, talked about how students interact with Hope at events like this one and how Hope brings joy.

“Students look at her and they just smile, or when they pet her, they feel calm,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to use what we call mindfulness skills, which is basically being in the moment. There are so many exercises that therapists can teach students but I find that even petting a dog and soaking in that moment with a dog can help mental health-wise.”

Students were also flooding the sign-up sheet at the massage therapy station in 1C, which provided some calming background music to help relieve stress. Amanda Arevalo, who is a first-year Nursing student taking seven classes, heard about the event just by coming to the College and was quick to take advantage of the massage therapy station to destress.

“The lady outside said they were giving massages in here and when I heard that I was like I’m here. I just paid $120 three weeks ago for a massage. I love massages,” said Arevalo.

There was no shortage of activities provided by CSICAB, the Counseling Center, and CLUE News for students to find some peace of mind and focus on the betterment of their mental health. The Relaxation Station formed a community of socially supportive elements like Counseling staff to talk to, AIR volunteers and their AIR dogs, and activities like coloring to impact students through the importance of mental health awareness activities.

By Kyle Cicero