Dalton State is bringing back a tradition from its early days as Dalton Junior College – the car smash.
Students painted a junk car then smashed it with a sledge hammer to help relieve stress during finals week. Next week, the car smash will make a return to campus during a mental health initiative called Fresh Check Day.
Fresh Check Day will be open to students on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. on campus at the quad.
Fresh Check Day, a program by the Jordan Porco Foundation, is an event for colleges that includes interactive booths geared toward promoting good mental health and suicide prevention. This is the first of two Fresh Check Days that will be at Dalton State this year.
“Mental health is an integral part of all our lives,” said Andrea Roberson, associate director for Disability Access and Student Support Services. “It is normal to struggle with mental health at times, and it is important to learn to manage it. We want to let students know their success involves all aspects of their lives and what resources are there to help. We’re bringing back the car smash to provide a fun way to cope with stress. We’ll also have other activities for students that are fun and bring awareness to mental health and resources.”
In addition to the car smash, students can play games, make self-care kits and grab free food.
Also as part of the college’s mental health initiative, Diana Chao, a speaker from Active Minds Speakers, will discuss mental health and suicide at 7 p.m. in the Goodroe Auditorium on campus.
