Who needs stress? Today is the best day of your life.
That’s what Ohio Staters, Inc. wants students to know not only about today, but every day.
The third annual “Best Day of Your Life” campaign is happening all day throughout campus. Ohio Staters, Inc., has partnered with REACH and Buckeye Campaign Against Suicide to offer freebies to students while bringing mental health awareness to the forefront of their minds.
“We’re urging students to remind themselves and think about what really makes them happy,” said Andrea Jimenez, co-chair for the Best Day campaign and a fourth-year in finance. “We’re encouraging them to keep those memories alive and appreciate life for the little things.”
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students and nearly half of all college students report having feelings of depression. But what many college students don’t realize, and what Ohio Staters is trying to promote, is that more than 80 percent of these cases can be treated.
“There’s a definite stigma around mental health awareness, like, ‘Oh, you’re going to see the shrink?'” said Alainna Ipjian, co-chair for Best Day and a third-year in nursing. “People think they can cure it themselves, but sometimes it’s definitely an issue that needs treatment.”
The five co-chairs of “Best Day” began planning the campaign at the end of Autumn Quarter and will be joined by more than 75 volunteers today.
Disc jockeys, free hot dog stations and free lemonade stands will be scattered throughout campus. There will also be free ice cream at the Ohio Union and free “comfort food” at North and Kennedy commons, according to the Best Day press release.
If that isn’t enough free stuff, volunteers will be driving “Swag Mobiles” around campus to surprise students with different prizes, such as neon-colored sunglasses, beach balls and even football tickets.
But Ohio Staters want students to know that it is not all about free things. With every giveaway a student receives, there will be literature given out about mental health awareness, as well. There will also be counselors available on the Oval from the Office of Student Life.
“There are other projects that focus on just a fun-filled day and that’s great, but I’m most proud that we get to do both,” Jimenez said. “We get to have a fun-filled day, but then we’re also spreading this really important message.”
Ohio Staters is also responsible for prominent campus projects such as Light up the Lake, the project that strings holiday lights around Mirror Lake, and the “Best Fans in the Land” campaign.
“Ohio Staters, Inc., is a group of 36 students and 14 faculty/staff at OSU who are devoted to promoting the welfare and traditions of our university through unique service projects to improve the campus area and improve life at Ohio State,” said Hans Voss, president of Ohio Staters and a third-year in political science.
Voss said that being a part of Ohio Staters has taught him the most valuable lessons he has learned in college and has allowed him to meet people who have become his closest friends.
For more information about the organization, visit staters.osu.edu. Interviews are held once a quarter for prospective members.
“Best Day” will conclude with a message from the USG president and a pyrotechnics display on the South Oval. This final event will begin at 8:15 p.m., and fireworks will start at 9 p.m.
