WINDSOR, NC – The Chowan University women's basketball team has opened the 2016-17 season with community service efforts.  The team participated in the First Annual Let's Talk About It Mental Health Awareness Walk in an effort to give back to the surrounding community and to show support for those in the community living with mental disorders.

 Eustress Inc. and the Bertie County YMCA hosted the event in Windsor, North Carolina earlier this month in an effort to bring attention, awareness, and acceptance to mental health issues, and to promote positive ways for mental health improvement. 

Over 42 million people in the United States suffer from some form of mental illness and approximately 1 in 25 adults will experience a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with their life activities.  All proceeds raised from the event supported Eustress Inc. and Bertie County YMCA mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness in the community. 

The Hawks have also made an effort to make an impact within local area schools.  The women's basketball team contributed to the "Stuff the Bus" Campaign at Walmart in Ahoskie through school supply donations.

The Chowan University women's basketball team participates in various community service in community engagement projects over the course of the year.