It’s that time of year again where the temperature begins to drop and people’s mental health seems to worsen. For those attending higher education institutions, the battle with mental illness has become a rising issue.

Of those seeking counseling, 61 percent of college students are attending due to anxiety, 49 percent for depression, 45 percent for stress and 28 percent due to academic performance, according to the survey the American Institute of Stress.

To help those struggling and to combat the stigmas against mental illness, Central Connecticut’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter collaborated with the Arts and Crafts Club to teach students healthy coping mechanisms for stress.

Vice President of NAMI Halleberry Henry believes that despite the stigmas around mental health, there is a need to discuss it with people, specifically college students because everyone must take care of their mental state somehow.

“I struggle with mental health illness; just being in college there’s stress, anxiety, depression, like the whole thing. Not to say ‘I’m cured,’ or can tell people how to get over it but having a person who has been through it and understands can really help you find out ways to better yourself,” Henry stated.

By creating CCSU’s first NAMI chapter, she and club president Christopher Theriault hope to better inform and break stereotypes against mental illness. Through the guidelines of the organization, Theriault and Henry enlighten attendees on different mental illnesses, coping mechanisms and more through interactive activities and informative videos.

“I for sure thought this didn’t happen to anyone else, like it wasn’t normal but it is normal. We go through these things and we have to find the best way to get through it,” Henry added.

For some, “getting through it,”means coloring pages and practicing origami while listening to Christmas music — or at least that is how members of Arts and Crafts Club choose to do it.

Matthew Warren, an active member of the Arts and Craft club with a strong interest in NAMI, highlighted that by acknowledging mental health and introducing healthy coping mechanisms, both clubs are fighting the stigma.

“It’s important to manage your mental health and talk about it so you can get support from people who are also going through the same thing,” Warren stated. Through the activities hosted by both clubs, he believes attendees are able to become productive.”You’re being constructive, you’re putting all that energy – or lack there of energy – into something that is positive and constructive that isn’t hurting you or anyone else. I think that’s a very good way to know how to deal with it.”

Arts and Craft Club president Aaron “Ronnie” Morabito says that through the club, they work to create a stress-relieving environment to all of those who attend through the activities they offer.

“The motto of the arts and crafts club is to create a chill and relaxed atmosphere for people to come by and just relax after a long day throughout the semester,” Morabito expressed. “With NAMI, a lot of their goal is to reduce the stigma against mental illness so having events like this is a good way to get involved and doing community types of events and activities to get others to be more aware and comfortable with mental illness.”

They noted that in the past, CCSU would host a Fresh Check day, in which clubs and organizations would set up activities and booths encouraging people to find better ways to help their mental health and reduce stress. Despite the absence of the event this year, Morabito stated they and others are still making efforts to draw attention to mental health to break the stigma.

“In college, mental health is such an important thing and so many college students struggle trying to deal with depression and anxiety, so just making it okay to just talk about not being okay, and at Central there are plenty of resources with people are willing to give you help when you need it,” Morabito explained.

Henry also believes that the university tries to better how mental health is handled on campus. For the future, she believes it “should become as big of a focus as athletics.”