Students were able to learn about Del Mar’s Counseling Center and more than two dozen local agencies during the center’s fifth annual Spooktacular Health Fair.
More than 25 organization, including CC Hope House, Coastal Plains Community Center, the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation and more set up booths in a fun-filled maze Oct. 24 upstairs in the Harvin Center. Students were able to find out about the resources available to them while stocking up on treats at the same time.
“The Spooktacular Health Fair is about raising awareness not just for mental health but any other health resources that are available, substance use resources, anything that helps not just our students but the community in general,” said DMC Counselor Johanna Torres.
Many of the organizations talked about their free and low-cost services, while some offered free blood pressure screenings, STD tests and flu shots to students.
The Counseling Center also had a fun haunted maze set up inside their office, which involved members of several organizations dressed up as clowns, ghosts and superheroes who also gave out information and free food.
“We wanted to have a fun way for students to get information where they are wanting and willing and they get to have fun along the way. The haunted maze is really entertaining and as they walk through they are also learning a lot,” Torres said.
Many students found the Spooktacular event interesting, as they were not aware of some of the organizations in existence.
“My favorite part is that all of the booths have a lot of information and great helpful resources; some of them I didn’t even know we had,” said nursing major Martha Moretich.
The Counseling Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays. They are located in the Harvin Center Room 223A on East Campus and the Health Science Building 1 Room 262 on West Campus. They can be reached at 361-698-1586.
