Seattle University Recreation (UREC) recently launched its annual mental health initiative, Project Positive, under the theme “Chart Your Own Path.” This weeklong campaign, which took place from March 4 to March 10, 2024, aimed to encourage students to adopt positive perspectives on life and to embrace their individual journeys.
Henry March, a third-year finance student and outdoor leader at UREC, highlighted the event’s spirit of inclusivity. “Project Positive gives us space for these important messages,” he stated. “Whether you want to just show up and watch a film festival or you want to play Battleship in the pool, there really is a wide range.”
Initially focused exclusively on body positivity when it began over a decade ago, Project Positive has evolved in response to student feedback. Kevin Sutton, assistant director of UREC Outdoors, noted that many students shared that body positivity alone did not resonate with everyone. “We wanted to change it to be more inclusive,” Sutton explained. “So it’s now both body positivity and body neutrality, because we recognize that not everyone’s happy with their body.”
This year’s Project Positive featured a plethora of activities that integrated mental health awareness with outdoor experiences and mindfulness practices. Events included sound baths, E-sport gaming sessions at multiple university locations, chaos board crafting, cycling classes, and hikes.
One of the marquee events was the screening of the 5Point Film Festival on March 6, which showcases impactful stories from diverse storytellers and focuses on five core values: commitment, respect, humility, purpose, and balance. The selected films were curated from this year’s festival held in Carbondale, Colorado. Sutton emphasized the importance of representation, stating, “I recognize that I have all of the privileges in the world. So, trying to branch out and give space and time and voice to the people who have been marginalized, both intentionally and unintentionally.”
For Ricardo Bernabe Francisco, a second-year accounting major, attending the film festival marked his first experience with Project Positive. “I don’t know what it’s all about. I just want it to be fun,” he expressed, highlighting the intrigue of the unknown.
Sutton hopes that Project Positive will inspire students to practice mindfulness and draw more individuals to UREC on a regular basis. “Even if you can’t engage with us in Project Positive, come hang out at UREC. It’s an inclusive, safe, happy and welcoming space,” he remarked. “It’s always awesome meeting new people and I want to meet as many of you as I can.”
UREC offers a wide array of activities, extending from outdoor excursions such as hikes and snow trips to indoor classes like power yoga and cardio dance. For further details on upcoming UREC events, students are encouraged to check the organization’s social media channels or visit their Campus Groups page.
With Project Positive, Seattle University continues to promote a culture of wellness, self-acceptance, and community engagement, aiming to foster an environment where every student feels valued and supported.