DeKALB – NIU’s student-athletes are invited to partake in this year’s mental health week hosted by the NIU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. A variety of activities will be available for student-athletes to participate in throughout this week.

This year’s mental health week was an initiative set by the Council of Student Athletes (COSA), a student-athlete representative group formed by the Mid-American Conference.

The schedule of events begins with a game night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday in the Student Athlete Academic Support Services Suite (SAASS) room 107 of the Yordon Center.

NIU’s women’s sports teams are invited to join NIU’s director of athletics counseling, Dr. Shyann Beach, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday in SAASS Suite 111 for discussions regarding ways for student-athletes to provide support to fellow Huskies. Free pizza from Vinny’s Pizza will also be provided.

NIU’s The Hidden Opponent will be hosting a meeting the following day from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday in SAASS suite 111. Wednesday ms meeting will serve as a forum for student-athletes to discuss knowing their role, creating boundaries and maintaining relationships with family and friends.

Thursday will have two events. The NIU women’s soccer team will play its final match of the season at 1 p.m. at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The match will serve as the team’s suicide prevention advocacy game. and Brian Smith will lead a conversation in the SAASS Suite in room 111 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A social media campaign will round out the week of events Friday. Student-athletes are encouraged to use #takingMACtion and #HuskieHealth to share information they learned throughout the week as well as repost mental health resources.

An addition to the event, an activities table will be set up in the Hall of Champions in the Yordon Center throughout the week. The table will have activities such as coloring pages, crossword puzzles and journal prompts.