The College of the Canyons Body Mind Wellness Coalition will be hosting its fall Community Resource Fair to better assist students with issues such as stress, suicide, sexual assault and depression.

The festivities will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the COC Honor Grove, located on the college’s Valencia Campus. The fair will serve as a kick-off event for a series of personal health seminars being hosted by the BMW Coalition throughout September, October and November.

“We are very excited to offer students and community members the opportunity to interact with campus groups and local organizations that help people overcome challenges to body mind wellness,” said Sheri Barke, sports and wellness dietitian at the COC Student Health Center and one of the event organizers.

Fair attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy free food, music, and the “Everybody is Beautiful” fashion show.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, 1,100 backpacks will be on display in the Honor Grove as a visual representation of the 1,100 college students who commit suicide every year.

“Send Silence Packing” is a nationally traveling exhibition designed to raise awareness about college suicide started by Active Minds, a nonprofit organization focused on helping students speak openly about mental health.

“The Send Silence Packing display will be especially powerful,” said Barke. “We hope it helps connects students to mental health resources and inspires suicide prevention on our campus.”

The fair will also help inform students and community members about the upcoming seminar series being presented on campus this semester. An array of topics and issues related to food, domestic violence, body image, autism, and veterans’ issues will be highlighted. A full list of upcoming seminar dates/times is listed below:

· No Texting and Driving
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15
Student Center Atrium

· California Domestic Violence Summit (Tickets are $75)
Jackson Katz (Keynote speaker)
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center

· Clotheslines Project T-Shirt Making
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
Savia Center, Newhall

· Human Trafficking Conference
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30
University Center, Room 258

· When Food & Fitness Become a Problem
2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6
Boykin Hall, Room 105

· SAFE Zone Training
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday. Oct. 10
Student Center, Room 129

· Sexual Assault 101 Workshop
12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12
Hasley Hall, Room 205

· Ask the Psychiatrist
Dr. Robert Dasher and NAMI San Fernando Valley
6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19
Canyons Hall, Room 201

· Domestic Violence Center Purple Walk of Strength (Tickets are $10-$60)
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 (Registration begins at 8 a.m.)
Cougar Stadium Track

· Play to Reduce Stress
SNAC and Cougar Peer Educators
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 (Play with Dance)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday. Oct. 26 (Play with Coloring)
Honor Grove

· Operation Healthy Vet Seminar Video Release
Tuesday, November 8
Available online at www.canyons.edu

· Rage Gauge
11 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9
Aliso Hall, Room 108

· Veteran Resources Information Fair
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10
Honor Grove

· Military Friendly Training
Dr. David Joseph, Psychologist, Oakland Veterans Center
1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10
Aliso Hall, Room 101

· Food Sustainability Week
COC Sustainability Center & SNAC
November 14-18

· Mindfulness & Well-Being Seminar
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15
Boykin Hall, Room 105

· Autism Awareness Seminar
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16
Mentry Hall, Room 343

· Great American Smoke Out
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17
Student Center Atrium

· Paws for a While with Therapy Dogs
11 a.m. – Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 30
Flag Pole

The Community Resource Fair and all scheduled seminars are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified.

Many of these events are made possible under grant number SM061818 from the Substance abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and presenters and do not necessarily express those of SAMHSA or HHS.

To purchase tickets for the California Domestic Violence Summit and Domestic Violence Center Purple Walk of Strength, visit www.scvtickets.com. For a discounted ticket rate, use the code COC123.