Mehak Shamdasani

Gabriella Bulgarelli, a first-year english literature and biological studies double major, waits to release her balloon in tribute of Mental Health Awareness Week Friday at Polk Place.

Participants of the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute wait to release their balloons Friday at Polk Place. Each student writes a personal message on the balloon they will release in honor of mental health issues.

Students walk to the steps of Wilson Library where they will release their balloons for the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute. Each student writes a personal message on the balloon they will release in honor of mental health issues

Gianna Quilici, a first-year global studies major, waits to release her balloon in tribute of Mental Health Awareness Week Friday at Polk Place. Regarding the importance of mental health awareness she said, "I thought the event was a great way to raise awareness for mental health issues because I feel like a lot of the time it is kind of a taboo subject. No one really talks about it and sometimes people are afraid to speak up about it, so I think it's important as a community to show support and love to those who struggle."

First-years Lauren Farrington and Alex Allison wait to release their balloons Friday at Polk Place for the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute. Farrington and Allison are both first-year undecided majors.

Katrina Hauprich, a senior public policy and Hispanic linguistics double major, hands out balloons at the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute.

April Peterson(left), a senior health policy and management major, offers a balloon to Gabriella Bulgarelli at the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute Friday at Polk Place. Bulgarelli is a first-year english literature and biological sciences double major.

Katrina Hauprich, a senior public policy and Hispanic linguistics double major, describes the purpose of the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute to Gianna Quilici Friday at Polk Place. Quilici a first-year global studies major.

Erica Kakarlamudi, a senior health policy and management major, waits to release her balloon for the Mental Health Awareness Week Tribute on Friday at Polk Place.