S.H.O.E.S. Project Helps ECU Students Step Toward Better Mental Health
A unique project at East Carolina University is helping students talk about mental health. It is called S.H.O.E.S., which stands for Students Honoring Others’ Everyday Struggles/Stories. The display features dozens of shoes, each with a personal message.
On Valentine’s Day, a pair of red heels carried a powerful story. It told of a girl named Samantha who was cyber-bullied to the point of attempting suicide. The note ended with hope: “I believe this made her stronger.”
Boots, sneakers, dress shoes, and flip flops lined the university mall. Each pair represented someone’s journey through stress, depression, or anxiety. The project was created in 2015 by ECU Campus Living and is held every February.
Why February Matters
February can be a difficult month for many students. Bailey Steckbauer, associate director of Campus Living, explained why. “A lot of students are facing seasonal depression or some of the longest, darkest times of the year,” she said.
The project shows students they are not alone in their struggles. It also connects them with available resources. Most importantly, it demonstrates that people genuinely care.
Students are invited to share stories about themselves or others. They also recommend a shoe type that fits the person who endured the challenge. A pair of bowling shoes told of Adrian, who is kind but seen as weird by others. Tan sandals spoke of Paxton, whose parents divorced, leading to anxiety and a difficult decision to seek help.
Inspiration and Impact
The project drew inspiration from a suicide prevention exhibit. Carolyn “Waz” Miller, director of residence life, mentioned Send Silence Packing. That display used backpacks to honor suicide loss. S.H.O.E.S. was designed to be proactive rather than reactive.
The display includes nationwide statistics. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems on campuses. One in four students report having suicidal thoughts. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among college students.
“Mental health and mental illness doesn’t know any race, age, gender, or socioeconomic group,” Miller said. “This affects everybody.”
Beyond the Display
The event extends far beyond the shoe exhibit. Staff and students leave positive messages across campus. These appear in dorm hallways, restrooms, and even on ECU transit buses.
A “So Worth Loving” board invites students to complete the statement: “I am worthy of love because…” Responses ranged from “Jesus loves me” to “I’m still going” and “We all matter.”
ECU junior Rishard Dillard volunteered for the first time this year. “We want to make sure students and faculty understand how worthy they are of love,” he said. “You feel better when you write it out.”
Reducing Stigma
The project’s greatest success may be in changing attitudes. Miller has observed a lessening of stigma around mental illness over the years. More people are now willing to seek help and express concern for friends.
“We’ve walked people to the counseling center,” she said. This simple act shows the power of community support.
A message on a pair of blue and gray running shoes captured the importance of this work. It read: “People say college students have depression and it’s no big deal because we are students. But it should never be this way.”
