Service organization Alpha Phi Omega partnered with LSU Student Government to sponsor National Service Week.
The national chapter of Alpha Phi Omega sponsors a service week every year, but this is the first year Alpha Phi Omega and SG have co-sponsored National Service Week.
All volunteer activities relate to the theme “Building a Sound Mind,” and the week focuses on mental health education.
“We are trying to raise awareness for people with mental health problems,” said Rebecca Florek, assistant director of Service for Student Government.
About 50 volunteers from Alpha Phi Omega and SG are participating in informing the student population this week.
The beginning of the week was dedicated to educating the campus community on mental health wellness. Students are volunteering in community service projects around Baton Rouge at the end of the week.
Monday through Thursday, the organizations passed out information on mental health and ribbons commemorating National Alzheimer’s Month in Free Speech Alley.
Iris Davis, a general business administration freshman, said she thoroughly enjoyed the informational sessions.
“I learned so much, especially at the Mental Health Wellness Program,” Davis said. “I was enlightened.”
At the program, Student Health Center advocates spoke to students and gave them information regarding student problems such as suicide and stress.
Along with free pamphlets with suicide and stress statistics, all students receive three free visits to the psychologist at the Wellness Center.
Students tutored at Highland Elementary Thursday, and Saturday’s Day of Service includes planting trees at McKinley High School’s campus and cleaning up the school’s football stadium.
Students are volunteering for the Louisiana Book Festival Saturday afternoon at the state capitol and the state Library of Louisiana.
“Students don’t realize how much Student Government does for the student body,” Davis said. “This week is just a way for SG to give back to the community.”