WSU Students Host Mental Health Awareness Event

PULLMAN-  WSU sports management students hosted the Hilinski’s Hope #3For3 Mental Health Awareness Event On Friday.

The students held the event during WSU Mom’s Weekend to take advantage of the increased amount of people in Pullman. They aimed to spread the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation’s message about changing the stigma behind mental health. 

“It’s a time where we get a lot more people in town, more people that can learn about the cause, learn about the foundation,” said Nate Collier, one of the WSU students who coordinated the event.

The event challenged guests to participate in the Hilinski’s Hope #3For3 Challenge, in which they film themselves doing three burpees and post it onto social media.

The event also had a competition to see who could do the most burpees in one minute. They also provided informational tabling, T-Shirt and Wristband Sales, and a raffle featuring gift cards to local Pullman restaurants and WSU team autographed football. All proceeds will be given to to the Hilinksi’s Hope Foundation.

They also brought in Collin Henderson, a WSU Alumni who played on the Cougars football team as a wide receiver from 1999-2002. Today he is a mental health coach with Project Rise.

“If you need help, its okay to talk,” said Henderson. “It’s powerful to be vulnerable. Asking for help shows strength”

Henderson did one-on-one sessions with participants and talked with them about the importance of living in the present, and being able to press “the reset button”.

“When you recognize negative thoughts, when you fail, you feel anxious, or make a mistake, it’s important to have a plan, to take a deep breath, to say a reset word. It’s about having tools.” said Henderson.

Even with sporadic periods of rain, the event drew groups of students and their families to learn about the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation and their message.

“Seeing the number of people who are willing to come together for mental health is humbling,” said Andrew Cooper, another student on the event coordinating team. “It’s been eye opening and inspiring.”