By Larry Urish, contributing writer
Life as a student isn’t easy, especially in this day and age. Managing a challenging academic load alone is stressful. Then add personal and family obligations, Orange County’s ever-rising cost of living
CSUF student Taylor Reynolds, left, takes a break from her school day to meet a Chocolate Labrador named Kirby at the Doggy Therapy tent during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Jacquelyn Gerali, a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Faculty Councilor and Prevention Education Coordinator at CSUF, welcomes guests to the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF University President Dr. Ronald S. Rochon greets one of the therapy dogs at the Doggy Therapy tent during CSUF’s 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The event organizers stand together during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad at CSUF on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Jacquelyn Gerali, left, and Jessica Leone-Aldricha Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Faculty Councilor and Prevention Education Coordinators at CSUF, stand together during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF student Taylor Reynolds, center, takes a break from her school day to meet a Chocolate Labrador named Kirby at the Doggy Therapy tent during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair while Connie Carey, from the Pet Prescription Team, looks on on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A collection of signs with encouraging and positive messages, available for students to take, hang on hooks at the Titan Affirmation Station during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit the Doggy Therapy tent, getting to spend some relaxing time with calming therapy dogs, provided by the Pet Prescription Team, during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit the Doggy Therapy tent, getting to spend some relaxing time with calming therapy dogs, provided by the Pet Prescription Team, during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Haley Nguyen, right, a representative from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, answers questions from CSUF junior Erick Vera during the school’s 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Hannah Leal, a CSUF senior, takes a “Lucky You” sign from the Titan Affirmation Station during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students Lexie Riley, left, and Jayda Baskerville pet a Yellow Labrador named Festive, a therapy dog from the Pet Prescription Team, at the Doggy Therapy tent during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit the Doggy Therapy tent, getting to spend some relaxing time with calming therapy dogs, provided by the Pet Prescription Team, during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Hailey LeRoy Smith, a Wellness Ambassador for CSUF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), replenishes the signs available for students to take at the Titan Affirmation Station during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit the Doggy Therapy tent, getting to spend some relaxing time with calming therapy dogs, provided by the Pet Prescription Team, during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Alyssa Theis, right, a representative from Freedom Within Therapy and Wellness Center, answers questions from CSUF senior Liset Gonzalez during the school’s 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Jacquelyn Gerali, a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Faculty Councilor and Prevention Education Coordinator at CSUF, welcomes guests to the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Abby Hunt, center, and Diamond Garcia, from the LGBTQ Center of Orange County, give information to CSUF student Clover Moshir during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Vincent Vigil, Sr. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, greets one of the therapy dogs at the Doggy Therapy tent during CSUF’s 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF Faculty Councilor Solomon Massin, center, welcomes students Maria Estrada and Christian Barrientos to the school’s 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF University President Dr. Ronald S. Rochon greets one of the therapy dogs at the Doggy Therapy tent during CSUF’s 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF students visit booths from a variety of organizations offering recourses geared toward mental health during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair, organized by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in the Central Quad on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
CSUF student Taylor Reynolds, left, takes a break from her school day to meet a Chocolate Labrador named Kirby at the Doggy Therapy tent during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair while Connie Carey, from the Pet Prescription Team, looks on on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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CSUF student Taylor Reynolds, left, takes a break from her school day to meet a Chocolate Labrador named Kirby at the Doggy Therapy tent during the 4th annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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, future uncertainty and greater loneliness inherent with social media and it’s no wonder that depression and anxiety are but a few of the issues common among today’s students.
Cal State Fullerton’s fourth-annual Mental Health Resource Fair, which took place on April 22 in the campus’ Central Quad, helped address this topic by providing access to an assortment of helpful resources in a fun, welcoming environment.
The event, which drew more than 750 student attendees (a significant uptick from the 500 last year), was co-hosted by CSUF’s Counseling and Psychological Services and Connect-OC, a program for teens and young adults that serves to increase mental health awareness and provides access to related resources throughout the region.
“The fair was amazing,” said Jacquelyn Gerali, Counseling and Psychological Services’ prevention education coordinator and faculty counselor who helped organize the event. “It was such a delight to see so many students enjoy mental health in an approachable and inviting manner. Many expressed appreciation for the variety of our activities.”
Those activities included dog therapy, music and food, a photo booth, a colorful assortment of arts activities, and raffles for prizes.
“It’s important to shed light on the different resources available for students to take care of their mental health proactively,” Gerali said. “Students should know that it’s OK if you’re not doing OK. This event helps make addressing mental health very approachable and fun. It gives space to experience joy as we take care of our mental health.”
About 35 no- and low-cost mental health resources — including the Arise Wellness Center, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mindpath College Health and OC’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness — were available to share how they can help CSUF students, faculty and staff. A variety of university resources were also on hand: CSUF Basic Needs Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, TitanWELL and TitanTHRIVE, among others.
“At many colleges, the faculty and staff who see students in the counseling center don’t have the time to make the connections with the mental health programs out in the community,” said Crystal Bleicher, program director of Connect-OC, a Partners4Wellness project funded through the Orange County Health Care Agency. “That’s where we come in. … Even today, there may be a stigma around visiting the counseling center. This is part of the reason we’re doing this out in the open Quad, where so many students pass through.”
Along with addressing this stigma, “A big part of this resource fair is to shed light on the importance of taking care of our mental health in a preventative fashion before it can become an issue of concern,” Gerali said.
This year’s Mental Health Resource Fair furnished more arts-related activities, thanks to student feedback from the three previous events. This included creating affirmation signs and friendship bracelets, as well as hope-stone painting.
“With hope stones, students paint an inspiring message on one side of a stone, like ‘You are enough,’ and on the other side is information about the National Crisis Hotline,” Bleicher said. “They can take the stone home or place it out in the community for someone else to find.”
“Making mental health a priority as part of a student’s to-do list can be very useful for their academic success,” Gerali said. “It’s part of their ability to manage the academic load that they have every semester. As a student years ago, l would’ve really appreciated knowing that taking care of my mental health is just as important as taking care of my physical health. We want students to understand that health is health, and mental is a part of that.”
The university and Connect-OC have worked together for years. “Cal State Fullerton has been one of the best relationships we’ve built,” Bleicher said. “They’ve been great to work with, and we’ve been able to grow this fair every single year. The management team there is fantastic and passionate about everything they do.
“And this year’s event was wonderful,” Bleicher added. “We received great feedback from students and staff, as well as the various mental health vendors, and we were joined by CSUF President Ronald Rochon, who walked the entire event and greeted all the attendees and resource organizations. It’s always great to have the support of leadership at these events and have them show recognition for the importance of access to mental health services for college students.”
Students can connect with CSUF’s Counseling and Psychological Services by calling 657-278-3040 or visiting fullerton.edu/caps. To learn more about Connect-OC, visit connect-oc.org.
Originally Published: May 5, 2025 at 7:17 AM PDT
