By Sam Arseneau
Students lined up for their chance to smash pumpkins at Jack.org’s event today (photo credits: Sam Arseneau)
Students literally smashed the stigma on October 30th when Jack.org hosted a pumpkin smash in the quad.
The event saw students sign a waiver, write something on their pumpkin to smash, and then grab a bat and start smashing.
The pumpkins were donated to the UPEI chapter of Jack.org by Mackenzie Produce in Stratford.
Kali Ross, a member of Jack.org had some words to say about the event.
“UPEI Jack.org chapter is doing our annual smash the stigma event. People can come and take a pumpkin that was donated by Mackenzie produce and they can write something that has to do with mental health stigma on it, and then they’ll smash it,†she said.
“So, for example, you can write ‘fear of seeking help’ or ‘long wait times’ or anything that has to do with mental health that you want to smash. Lots of students come out and smash a pumpkin.â€
Students walking by were drawn into the event. Onlooking other students smashing pumpkins with a baseball bat appeared very enticing.
A student who participated, Amber Laybolt, shared some feelings on the event.
“The pumpkin smash is very good, it relieves a lot of stress that we have pent up in the day,†said Laybolt.
Students were eager to relieve stress and looked content after smashing the stigma.