Bloom 2024, a week-long event by SUSS Student Life (STL), returned for its third edition in October! Held from 7 to 11 October, the event aimed to enhance the mental wellbeing of SUSS students, attracting over 350 participants to various curated workshops and activities. This year’s theme focused on building a supportive, mindful, and resilient SUSS community centered around positive mental wellbeing.
Engaging in open conversations about mental health in the Mental Illness and Mental Wellness workshop.
Overcoming Challenges: Reframing Limiting Beliefs workshop empowered participants to break free from self-imposed barriers and unlock new possibilities.
A highlight for this edition was the BloomXUWellness Bazaar. More than 30 passionate vendors and social partners took part and an overwhelming number of SUSS students and staff visited the bazaar, taking a refreshing break from their daily routines to enjoy artisanal crafts and delightful treats, all while connecting with one another in a vibrant, supportive atmosphere.
Participants explored fresh perspectives through hands-on art in the
Open Doors: Discovering New Perspectives with Art workshop
For the first time, Bloom 2024 also hosted the Bloom Photo Gallery in collaboration with SUSS’ Production Interest Group (PDIG). Over 20 photo submissions from students and staff were featured, capturing moments of light in everyday experiences that promotes mental wellbeing. Additionally, paint-by-number and coloring book activities provided students with a moment of respite.
Mid-Semester Check-In: Uncover Serious Answers Through Play workshop encouraged students to gain meaningful insights through creative play
Bloom & UWellness Bazaar brought together a vibrant SUSS community.
Jerome, a Year 1 Full Time Finance student, shared how the Bloom workshop helped him manage negative thoughts and navigate challenges of university life. He also appreciated the opportunity to connect with peers from other programmes.
Adding a splash of creativity to the Art Outside the Box cardboard engagement initiative.
Captivating glimpses into lives through the Bloom Photo Gallery, featuring photo submissions from the SUSS community.
Veena Nanthakumar, a facilitator from Caregivers Alliance, emphasized the importance of breaking stigma around mental health. “One key misconception about mental health is that they think it’s related to mental illness itself. So, we wanted to break the stigma around it by talking about mental wellness and knowing that it’s actually a continuum in a sense. This is so that they (students) can take better care of their own mental health as well as support family and friends around them.’”
A joyful celebration of growth, connection, and the power of playfulness in the journey of self-discovery during the I Play Therefore I Am: Discovering Vitality in Finding One's Way with Play workshop.
#MindCheck: Here to Hear where SUSS OWLs facilitated meaningful conversations, creating a safe space for students to connect and share.
Bloom 2024 may have ended, but the journey to positive mental wellbeing remains. Stay tuned for Bloom 2025!