The Perks of Being A Wallflower Common Theme Event

Written by Brooke Stevenson

What an event! “Identity & Mental Health” was a part of this year’s Common Theme, which replaced the Common Read that USJ has done in past years. A really great aspect of the Common Theme versus the Common Read is the variety of ways one can participate. Students can participate by either reading a book, reading an article, watching a short video, watching a movie, viewing art, or listening to podcasts. The scope is broader than just reading one book that not everyone may like or be passionate about. Each Common Theme event was based off of a different media and topic that related to this year’s common theme: Identity.

“Identity & Mental Health” was an engaging event for students who had read or watched “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” however, no students were turned away. USJ’s Group Counseling students, Center for Wellness Development, Soar Into Wellness, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) planned and hosted “Identity & Mental Health.” There were eight different stations all together. Each were themed after musical tracks.

Track 1, “Sense of Belonging,” had students throw a velcro dart and then try to place a puzzle piece on one of the three available puzzle designs. The puzzles each contained one of the following quotes: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much,” “A sense of belonging comes from within,” and “No one belongs here more than YOU.”

Track 2, “Combating Perfectionism,” had words of affirmation you could take, paper available to leave words of affirmations for another, and a mirror for students to write criticism about themselves to cross out and write a positive about themselves. For instance, I wrote “Bossy” and put “Passionate” under it.

If you love being able to talk to Future You, Track 3, “Who am I as a Student,” was the place to do it. At Track 3 you were given an envelope for a letter that wrote to your future or graduating self and an optional polaroid picture of yourself.

Track 4, “Mindfulness,” was all about grounding exercises. Students were able to build a kit to engage your five senses: a travel-size grounding technique guide (sight), stress ball (touch), tea packet (taste), and a Niel’s Donut for smell, all the while listening and deciphering the different sounds around you.

For USJ’s playlist addicts, Track 5, “Music,” had not one, not two, but four different playlists: “Feel Good,” “I Feel Infinite,” “Studying,” and “Inspirational,” each with their own vibe. Students were able to use sticky notes to add songs to the playlist of their liking and scan the Spotify track code to add it to their Spotify library for later.

Track 6, “Participating In Your Life,” had students spin a wheel of identity topics and talk about what they associate with that topic. Students were provided with candy and a calendar of events happening at USJ and Blue Back Square for the rest of the semester. I got the topic of mental health on my spin and had to list three things that someone could do to improve or check in with their mental health: grounding exercises, body scans, and learning to listen to your body when you need a break/recharge. Furthermore, one of USJ alums, Ruth Cion, featured in the photo with the wheel, has graced three Common Theme events out of the seven that have happened so far. If you see her at future events, be sure to say “Hello” and receive one of her beaming smiles.

Track 7, “Mental Health Poster,” had students utilize the mental health posters they walk by everyday by reading them and voting for their favorite story. I voted for Lisa with brown hair, who, according to a few students, was a popular vote due to her inspiring story about her mental health journey.

Lastly, Track 8, “Wellness,” was run by the Center for Wellness Development. It featured the Perch, USJ’s wellness room, and provided information about suicide prevention month and CAPS’s available services. Students were also permitted to use three of the Perch’s wellness devices, a neck massager, Muse, and eye mask massager.

Oh, did I mention this event also had outstanding raffle prizes in addition to all the candy, kits, and donuts handed out during the event? “Identity & Mental Health’s” raffle prizes consisted of fifteen Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park tickets, a Stanley 40 oz tumbler, and various USJ swag; some of which they showcased at different tables. It’s safe to say that I can’t wait for the next Common Theme event that the USJ’s Group Counseling students, Center for Wellness Development, Soar Into Wellness, and CAPS host. They truly went all out for this event and had students in mind when creating this experience, which was highlighted by the interactive booths, simple and fun activities, and huge amount of raffle prizes.