Students enjoy the Smash the Stigma event.
Photos by Mackenzie Pike | The Doane Owl
Pumpkin guts splattered across the Smith patio on Oct. 28 as students let loose at Smash the Stigma, an event hosted by Active Minds. This event aimed to give students a unique way to vent frustrations and break down barriers to mental health stigma. Students could write negative stereotypes, insecurities, anxieties, or any issue weighing on them directly onto a pumpkin, grown by Counselor Darcy Darwin, before obliterating it. The idea? Physically destroying the pumpkin represented a symbolic release of personal and societal pressures, helping students reclaim a sense of agency over the things that often feel overwhelming.
The event was originally scheduled for Oct 21 but the date was changed the day of. Organizers felt cold weather would prevent students from coming and moved the date to the next week, giving them more time to prepare.
At 8 p.m., a lineup of creative tools awaited eager participants, including bats, hammers and even sledgehammers for maximum impact. Whether they smashed, whacked, chopped, or stomped, students had their pick of tools to truly get into the experience. “It’s a perfect way to distract myself from everything else going on in my life” said Freshman Kayla Greenway. The patio quickly became a mess of pumpkin pulp and seeds, each splatter serving as a visceral reminder of the pressures students face daily. This organized chaos also allowed students to bond over shared frustrations.
Smash the Stigma kicked off a week of Halloween-themed events and was designed as much for community support as it was for fun. Students could roast marshmallows and snack on treats between pumpkin smashing.
For Active Minds, the goal was clear: to create an event that encouraged students to confront mental health struggles in a way that felt empowering and to foster a supportive community. As the first event in a week full of Halloween festivities, Smash the Stigma set an energetic tone. The cathartic nature of the night, along with the blend of fun, camaraderie and open conversations, turned the event into an experience students won’t soon forget. Active minds is also planning a don’t drink and drive event featuring Mario Kart.
