Students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio can take a mental health questionnaire and enjoy a paleta at Vibe Check from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 in the lobby of the Central Academic Building.
This is the second year the Student Counseling Center has hosted the event, Jerimar Abinsay, professional counselor at the center, said in an interview Sept. 16.
Abinsay said Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, which allows students to check-in with their mental health.
The center also chose that date because students will be beginning to take their first midterm exams for the fall semester.
“For a lot of new students, that can be a very stressful time — for students in general, I should say — but it’s easy to lose track of your mental health, your stress levels,” Abinsay said. “And sometimes an external check-in can be very useful to draw your own attention to your mental well-being.”
The event will consist of students taking a questionnaire through computers provided by the Student Counseling Center or through a student’s personal device with a QR code. The questionnaire is an anonymous assessment and results will be reset following the completion of the assessment. Students are free to take pictures or screenshot of their results.
Abinsay said the questionnaire takes five to 10 minutes to complete.
The questionnaire is an abbreviated version of an assessment offered in the center. The assessment is called the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms released by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health.
In fall 2023, the event attracted over 150 students, Joanna Vela, director of the center, said in the interview Sept. 16.
“Vibe Check is a name that sounds approachable to students,” Vela said “We know there is a stigma surrounding mental health, so we wanted to make it fun and inviting.”
The center will be ordering paletas from El Paraiso. Flavors will include piña colada, coconut and mango.
For more information, visit https://jagsync.tamusa.edu/event/10391679.
