Students gathered outside Commons on Friday during Protected Time for a Wellness Fair that brought attention to Mental Health Awareness Month through a collection of fun activities including trivia, rock decorating, and Italian ice. The event was sponsored by Sykes Wellness Center and organized by clubs such as Active Minds, Men’s Mental Health Club, and Students in Medicine (SIM).
The fair was designed to reduce stigma surrounding mental health while offering students the opportunity to unwind and take a break from academic pressures. Drew Wasylyshyn ’26, Co-Founder and President of Men’s Mental Health Club and Co-Founder of Active Minds, took part in coordinating with Sykes and arranging the fair. He shared his thoughts on the importance of mental health-related initiatives during the term.
“We live in a very academically rigorous community, so activities like these are very critical in maintaining students’ well-being, and just giving students a way to relax and take a break from work. Without these organized events, students may give their whole time to work and not take any time for themselves,” said Wasylyshyn.
Wasylyshyn continued, “If your mental health goes, then everything goes. I feel that people underestimate how important mental health is in their lives, and bringing awareness to it through a light-hearted combination of activities like these promotes a positive environment. It’s very critical to take time for yourself and just enjoy life, relax, and take a break from all your responsibilities.”
As a board member of SIM, Catalina Smith ’27 helped manage the Italian ice stand at the fair. She expressed that although mental health is often discussed, reminders through events that allow the community to come together are vital.
“[Mental health is] talked about in general, but it’s a good reminder. Opportunities like these, especially on Friday when it’s the end of the week, are really important to bring people together. I hope that students get the message that it’s okay to talk about mental health and it’s important that that is prioritized, especially at a school like Andover when we have a really rigorous schedule,” said Smith.
For students who attended, the fair offered a time for them to release stress alongside friends while enjoying a sweet treat. Everett Woo ’25 reflected on the challenges of balancing academics with well-being at Andover. He also noted the self-growth that comes from learning to prioritize mental health.
“It’s easy to get caught up in what feels like an academic race and sacrifice things like sleep, food, and self-care time. But we need to learn that it’s okay to slow down and take care of ourselves. This way, we will actually be better at the work we do, and slow down and develop empathy and an ear to listen to others,” said Woo.
Daniel Zhang ’28, a board member of Active Minds, was among the students who helped bring the fair to life. While he only recently joined the board, Zhang highlighted the value of student-led activities in conducing a more supportive environment.
“[The Mental Health Awareness Fair] was a way to show that other students are looking out for you. Though Andover has a lot of wellness resources provided by Sykes and the teachers, it’s always nice to know that fellow students are looking out for you and trying to make Andover a more mentally healthy place,” said Zhang.
