Event features free circus performances, stress management & mental health resources
What: Cirque De-Stress
When: Monday, October 19, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Coffman Memorial Union, Great Hall, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis
All in the name of promoting mental health, the circus—including high-wire walkers, clowns, aerialists and jugglers—is coming to the University of Minnesota’s Coffman Memorial Union on Monday, October 19. Organizers expect 3,000 attendees at Cirque De-Stress, where students, faculty, staff and the public can de-stress while getting practical life balance tips.
“Mental health remains a top public health issue on campus,” says Gary Christenson, M.D., chief medical officer at the University’s Boynton Health Service and ringmaster for the day. “This event draws students in for the fun but they receive important information and resources to balance stress and manage their mental health that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Circus Mojo, based in Ludlow, Kentucky, will perform seven shows on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Therapy animals will also be on hand, including dogs, bunnies and Woodstock the chicken. Visitors can walk a slackline, ride a blender bike and participate in a host of other activities
Active Minds recently honored the U of MN with one of five inaugural Healthy Campus Awards for a campus climate that prioritizes student mental health, physical health and well-being. Boynton Health Service, in collaboration with the Provost’s Committee on Student Mental Health and other University partners, offers several innovative approaches to help students reduce stress, increase awareness about resources available and promote open discussion about mental health.
For more information, visit www.bhs.umn.edu/cirque-de-stress.