PAWS

Positive Assurance With Support

We're on Instagram!

A look at what we've done:

Fifth Annual Walk of Hope

We participated in the Walk of Hope for the fifth year in a row. All of athletics was invited and wore navy to represent our presence and commitment to ending the stigma around mental health. The night before we gathered in Goldstein and made posters that were used in the march. Every year more and more athletes participate and we had people from every team there, most teams coming as a whole. Walking together with the whole campus and Stony Brook campus community brought more awareness the the tough conversation of mental health, but also that no one is alone and everyone is valued and lover.

One Family

On Sunday, April 10th, we held the first One Family event. The goal of the event was to "spread awareness and fight the stigma surrounding mental health by connecting with out Seawolves family and leaning on the support systems we have at Stony Brook and within each other." There was a guest speaker and everyone broke out into groups and participated in activities aimed at starting difficult conversations and reminding everyone that they are not alone.

Fourth Annual

Walk of Hope

PAWS spent the month of September (National Suicide Prevention Month) participating in CPO events. On September 29, 2021, Stony Brook University students participated in the Walk of Hope. Students marched around campus chanting with posters to help the community know they are not alone. The goal of the Walk of Hope is to ensure everyone knows they are not alone, mental health matters and that strength comes from reaching out.

PAWS Night

The first ever PAWS Night occurred on October 17, 2019! Members of PAWS attended the Women's Soccer game and were able to spread the club's initiatives and how they can help the public. Since it was a Halloween event, members gave out candy with encouraging quotes to remind everyone that they are never alone.

Second Annual

Walk of Hope

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and on September 18, 2019, Stony Brook University students participated in the Walk of Hope. Students marched around campus chanting "We are valued, we are loved, we are not alone!" The goal of the Walk of Hope is to ensure everyone knows they are not alone. As Seawolves we are united, accepted, and no one should be afraid to reach out.

Hilinski's Hope & Step Up Training

On September 15, 2019, Mark and Kym Hilinski presented a "Tyler Talk" to all Stony Brook student-athletes. Tyler Hilinski was a student-athlete at Washington State University, where he became the starting quarterback after he helped his team complete a comeback win against Boise State University. Tyler was a very happy and kind person that showed no signs of struggling from mental illness. However, on January 16, 2018, Tyler died by suicide. He showed no symptoms, did not share any plans or feelings with anyone, and left his family wondering what would have happened if there were people that encouraged him to talk about his mental health? The Hilinski family created Hilinski's Hope to encourage student-athletes to support their mental health and remove the stigma regarding mental illness. After presenting their story, students were able to participate in a Step Up training. Students learned how to help someone who struggles with mental illness and gained tools on how to use this throughout their daily lives.

Better To9ether

#BetterTo9ether is an America East Conference SAAC initiative focused on creating mentally healthy environments for student-athletes. On April 28, 2019, Stony Brook Athletics hosted their own Better To9ether event. All student-athletes came together to discuss mental health as a family and were reminded that they are never alone. Students were able to share stories, feelings, or questions they had regarding mental health. They were also able to share how mental health plays a role in their daily lives. The goal of the event was to create a more mentally healthy environment in our Seawolves community where everyone can HOWL To9ether.

CPO & Red Watch Band Carnival

On April 10, 2019, Stony Brook University students compiled together in the SAC and created a miniature fair with tables and games all geared toward informing students and staff about the importance of drug and alcohol abuse along with the importance of mental health. PAWS had their own table and poster board to introduce who they are as a group and what their goals are to the student population.

Walk of Hope

The month of September is known as National Suicide Prevention Month. On September 27, 2018, Stony Brook students came together to participate in the Walk of Hope across campus. Participants chanted "Speak up, reach out, you are not alone" while holding posters reminding fellow students and staff about all of the resources Stony Brook has.

PAWS- Let's Talk

On October 31, 2018, Stony Brook Athletics stepped aside from Halloween festivities to spread awareness regarding mental health and all of the resources at Stony Brook University. Students were able to make their own stress ball and put their mental health knowledge to the test with quiz questions.

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