A week of activities to inform UWindsor students, faculty and staff about mental health issues will open this evening with a special presentation by Steven Page.

One of Canada’s best-known entertainers, the former Barenaked Ladies frontman will discuss his own struggles with mental illness battling depression and manic episodes at 7 p.m. in the St. Denis Centre fieldhouse. Admission is free to UWindsor students; $2 for other students, and $5 general admission.

Related events today include:

• Free fitness classes presented by Campus Recreation, at noon in the Education Gym;
• A public lecture entitled “Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System” at noon in the Moot Court, Ron W. Ianni Law Building;
• A $2 multi-faith student dinner at 5:30 p.m. in Assumption University Chapel.

Tuesday’s calendar features Music, Mood and Food, offering free yogurt and fruit to the accompaniment of a live performance of therapeutic music, starting at 11:30 a.m. in the CAW Student Centre Commons.

The CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium will host a series of presentations, starting at 1 p.m. with a panel discussion entitled “Thriving in University: How to Look After Your Mental Health;” continuing at 2 p.m. with the event “Living Well with Stress;” the Beautiful Minds information session focused on successfully coping with mental illness at 4:30 p.m.; and a performance of the play Type 2 - A Bipolar Journey by Jason Gale and Tyler Workman at 5:30 p.m.

Mental Health Awareness Week continues through January 19. Find a full schedule for the week on the event’s Web site.