Patrick Smythe

Contributing Writer

Is “normal” just a setting on the washing machine or is it okay to not be okay? The answer to that question and many more were addressed at the East Stroudsburg University Mental Health Day Awareness Fair, which was held on Tuesday, October 28 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Science and Technology Building (Sci-Tech).

This event was organized by the ESU Department of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) whose mission is to “provide services that enhance the educational, vocational, personal, social, and emotional well-being of its students” (esu.edu/caps). The department’s goal is to support students in building skills and strategies that enable them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

The slogan of the event was “Boo Away the Stigma – Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus,” which ties into the goals of the event which are to help end the stigma around seeking help for mental health challenges and to make students aware of the supports available to them both on campus and in the community.

One of the campus organizations participating was the Campus Advocacy and Resource Engagement (CARE) Program, which connects students with resources available both on campus and within the community. Its purpose is to offer support that enables students to attain their personal, academic, and wellness goals.

Other campus organizations that participated in the Mental Health Day Fair included the Gender and Sexuality Center, Leadership by Design and Campus Life, Campus Rec, and Wellness, Interfaith and Spirituality, and ESU ROTC. Safe Monroe, based in Delaware Water Gap, also participated in the fair. Established in 1980, Safe Monroe offers free and confidential services to victims or their family members of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

The East Stroudsburg University Mental Health Day Fair is just a small part of what the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) does.

Their website states that “services offered include personal counseling/psychotherapy, vocational counseling, psychological and vocational testing, developmental and outreach programming, and consultation services, both individually and in a group setting when appropriate” (esu.edu/caps).

Their hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in their offices on the second floor of the Flagler-Metzgar Center. Visits are by appointment. You can make an appointment by calling 570-422-3277 or by stopping by the office in person. Additional information is available at esu.edu/caps.