SC State to celebrate World Mental Health Day on Thursday with ‘Zen Den’ openings,
care packages & campus walk
Author: Sam Watson, Director of University Relations|Published: October 08, 2024|All News
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University's Counseling and Self-Development Center in partnership
with the Office of Marketing and the Student Government Association (SGA) will conduct an all-day celebration in honor of World Mental Health Day on
Thursday, Oct. 10.
Open to the entire campus community, the World Mental Health Day celebration will
feature activities aimed at promoting mental health awareness and wellness across
the university community.
“We want to emphasize the importance of mental health and provide tools that encourage
relaxation and self-care,” said Christian Jackson, director of the Counseling and Self-Development Center. “This day is about supporting our entire community and recognizing the significance
of mental well-being.”
Zen Dens grand opening
The day will kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly established
Zen Den, a space designed for relaxation and mental rejuvenation, at Moss Hall. Coordinated
by the SC State Office of Marketing, this exciting initiative was made possible by winning $150,000 in the annual Home
Depot Retool Your School competition.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore this wellness space, designed to provide
a calming environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The Retool Your School project also funded Zen Dens at three other locations on campus.
Following the Moss Hall event, the Marketing team will open the Zen Den in Hugine
Suites at 11 a.m. and the one in the Ko W.G. Administration Building at noon. A fourth
Zen Den is in development at the Counseling & Self Development Center.
Peace Packs
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Counseling & Self-Development Center’s team will deliver
“Peace Packs” to faculty and staff throughout the university as part of their appreciation
efforts. These wellness-focused care packages aim to promote self-care and mental
well-being among the SC State community.
Mental health walk
The day will conclude with a mental health walk from 5-7 p.m. in collaboration with
the SC State SGA Senior Class. This walk symbolizes the collective effort to raise
awareness for mental health across campus.
Participants are encouraged to wear green in support of mental health awareness and
share their experiences on social media by tagging @scsucounselingcenter.
