SIU’s Salukis Care Week, fall break promote good mental health, help students succeed

October 14, 2024

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Helping to enhance the emotional wellness of students so they can thrive and succeed is the goal of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Salukis Care Day on Oct. 17, which will be a part of a week of activities leading up to fall break, a three-day weekend for students.

Chancellor Austin Lane said the Salukis Care week of activities and fall break fit well into SIU Carbondale's Imagine 2030 strategic plan and its student success and engagement pillar. Bringing back fall break after an absence of several years is an example of shared governance, he said. Constituency groups, including Undergraduate Student Government and Faculty Senate, worked together to make it possible.

"Students care deeply about mental health for themselves and their friends, and so do we," Lane said, "Students have told me they need a respite in the middle of the semester, and we listened. I am pleased that we were able to collaborate on adding a much-needed fall break to our academic calendar, which will allow students to better focus on their studies."

Salukis Care Week, Oct. 14-18, culminates with a daylong event on Thursday, and then students get the opportunity to enjoy a mental health day and fall break on the following day (the university will remain open).

The theme is "Salukis Sustaining Soundness," and the week is filled with activities to help students de-stress, relax and have a good time, said Jacari Henderson, Saluki Cares director.

During the Salukis Care Day celebration, participants will enjoy music, free food, games, Cops with Pops promoting positive interactions with police, a photo booth, a dream wall, giveaways, hammocks to stretch out in and inflatables. Monster tricycles, affirmation bracelets, nurture pets, giveaways, refreshments and a chalk fest that encourages students to write positive affirmations and comments on the sidewalk are also on tap.

It will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Faner Plaza. In case of inclement weather, the event will move to the Student Recreation Center.

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover Salukis Care Day, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Faner Plaza. For more information, contact Jacari Henderson at [email protected].

Diverse activities will benefit students

Activities taking place throughout the week are geared toward helping students in one way or another. The complete schedule includes:

• Mindfulness Mentality Monday - Oct. 14, 2-3 p.m. Students can stop by the Student Health Center Auditorium and enjoy a snack and chat with representatives of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
• Turnt Tuesday - Oct. 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Participants can enjoy healthy snacks and yoga on the Morris Library lawn. The Student Recreation Center will also offer a wide variety of health and fitness programming including Zumba, cycling, boxing, several types of yoga, and more from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Wellness Wednesday "Broken Pottery" - Oct. 16, 3-4 p.m. Kintsugi, the art of broken pottery, is a special Japanese artform in which broken ceramic pottery or glass objects are made whole by the use of gold lacquer to piece the shards together, creating a beautiful and valuable new object. The kintsugi concept encourages participants to fix, rather than discard, and appreciate the value of even broken things. Students will create their own version of this artwork in Room 170 in the Student Services Building.
• "Sustaining Soundness" Salukis Care Day - Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Faner Plaza.
• Financial Friday - Oct. 18. Fall break begins with a mental health day. Students are also invited to check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) tips video that will be posted by that day at siu.edu. The video provides information and clarification about the new FAFSA application and tips for completing it.

In addition, Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is partnering with CAPS to fund all CAPS appointments Oct. 14-18 to ensure students get support for their personal, psychological, mental and emotional needs so they don't feel overwhelmed, exhausted or anxious. CAPS assists students throughout the year, and counselors are available at various locations on campus at various times seven days a week. Students can call 618-453-5371 for more information.

Find the complete schedule of events and additional information on the Dean of Students website. Email [email protected] with questions.

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