Miami University’s suicide prevention team, the student counseling service, and the office of student wellness will sponsor a weeklong campaign to spread awareness about suicide prevention as well as stress management, self-care, and improving well-being this April.

Stress Less Week (April 1-5, 2024) kicks off with the mental health fund incubator challenge competition on April 1 at 5 p.m. in Wilks Theater in Armstrong Student Center. Indiviudal and groups will pitch their ideas for funding various mental health-related campus events and projects.

On Tuesday, April 2, Miami University will host entrepreneur, alum, and author Johnny Sirpilla ’88 speak about anxiety, managing stress with the power of reframing thoughts, and how to manage mental well-being beyond college. His presentation, “Life is Hard but I’ll Be OK” will be held at 6 p.m. in Shriver Dolibois Room.

The signature event of the week, stress less day, is on Thursday, April 4. From 1-4 p.m., students can enjoy outdoor games, laser tag, and inflatables in Central Quad. The event moves to an indoor festival from 4-6:30 p.m. to the Armstrong Fritz Pavilion for therapy dogs, free massages, snacks, games, crafting, and messages of hope. During the event, students will learn about managing stress, maintaining a healthy mind and active lifestyle, and enhancing community connection. Prizes and giveaways include Insomnia Cookies, gift cards, and Oxford Community Yoga passes.

Other activities throughout the week include yoga in the Wellness Studio, a pop-up tea tasting at the International Students and Scholar Services, collage making in the Wellness Studio, a suicide prevention training, and workshops addressing coping skills, mindfulness, and ways to stress less.

“Stress less week helps raise awareness on strategies to manage stress and anxiety, with the goal of improving the emotional health of all those in our campus community," said Jennifer Young, Ph.D., psychologist and associate director for community engagement at the student counseling service. "Participants will learn how to manage anxiety, recognize signs of emotional distress in friends, and identify ways to help." Young also co-chairs the suicide prevention team.

All activities, held at various locations across the Oxford campus, are free.

For a complete list of available activities during stress less week, visit the student counseling service website.

The suicide prevention team consists of representatives from the student counseling service, the office of student wellness and the office of residence life, as well as Miami faculty, staff and students from various mental health-focused departments and organizations. Their mission is to educate the campus community about suicide prevention efforts to reduce and prevent suicide and mental health concerns among students and the community.