“When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” – Fred Rogers
No one knows this better than UHD Counseling Services. To shine a light on mental health, they’ve put together the second annual Mental Health Matters Symposium and Resource Fair on April 2 and 3, for the entire UHD campus community.
Want to experience a walking meditation to the Wellness & Success Center (WSC), followed by a “sound bath” by Saumil Manek of Union is Creation? (Union is Creation curates sacred spaces for healing and growth through sound baths, guided meditations, and yoga practices. They are also a featured practitioner on Insight Timer, the world’s No. 1 meditation and sleep app.) Or how about learning more about the dos and don’ts surrounding support animals? Dog trainer JaNa Bickel will be on hand to answer questions, and she’ll have her therapy dog, Major, too.
“By hosting this two-day event, we are working toward normalizing conversations surrounding
mental health and breaking
the stigma of seeking help,” said Naomi Berger-Perez, Director of Counseling Services.
“Our hope is that the campus community will better understand that there are many
people who are struggling. When we normalize this reality for our students, more will
come forward with their mental health challenges.”
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Berger-Perez is also excited to showcase the incredible talent and wisdom of UHD’s counseling staff throughout “Mental Health Matters” so that the campus community will engage more freely with UHD Counseling Services in supporting our students. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate to learn more about the services for our students, as well as attend a session with EAP for their own mental health needs.
The Resource Fair is a “come and go event,” taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, in the Academic Building Mural Area and Skyline Lounge. The Resource Fair will showcase community mental health resources (including many resources to assist the needs of veterans), as well as career and internship opportunities. Also, a number of student organizations and UHD departments will focus on mental health coping activities at their tables.
Slated for 8 a.m.-4:30 pm. on Thursday, April 3, the Mental Health Matters Summit is a full day of mental health presentations, activities, and panel discussions in the Milam/Travis Room, TDECU Tour Room, and the WSC. Participants are encouraged to come for part of the day even if they can’t attend all day long.
Joan Zhang, We Arise Co-founder and CEO, is the Summit’s keynote speaker. Zhang co-founded Arise out of her own lived experience with eating disorders and mental health conditions, and a deep empathy for the diversity of mental health journeys of so many. Prior to founding Arise, Joan was a senior product manager at Headspace Health where she led initiatives that empowered members to get into clinical care faster than ever. Prior to Headspace, she was a lead product manager at Click Therapeutics, developing a digital treatment for major depressive disorder.
Joan started her career in management consulting at Deloitte where she led projects to implement robotics process automation at a top global pharmaceutical company and EHR systems for a statewide development disability service provider.
Here’s the schedule:
9:15-10 a.m.
Overcoming Setbacks (UHD Counselors Tiffany Wilson & Jessica Peralta)
10-11:15 a.m.
Mindfulness Matters/Walking Meditation to the WSC & sound bath with Saumil Manek of Union is Creation (UHD Counselors Christina Henry, Brittany Boudreaux, and Lizet Ivarra)
11:15-11:45 a.m.
Return to the Milam/Travis Room for lunch
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lunch and Keynote Speaker: Joan Zhang, We Arise CEO/Co-Founder
12:30-1 p.m.
FAQ’s/Q&A About Support Animals (JaNa Bickel & Major)
1-1:30 p.m.
Mental Health in the Digital Age (Kayla Almaguer & Jimena Martinez)
1:30-2 p.m.
Mental Health Perceptions Among Cultures (Kimberly Turcios & Donavon Davis)
2-3 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Variations in the Path of Social Work (Hope Pacheco, Lisa Gonzales-Hatfield, Richard Simonds, Sherry Zhang)
3-4 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Professional Clinicians and Helping Certifications (Timothy Coulter, Sehrish Ali, Jazz Nixon, Latressa Booker)
4-4:30 p.m.
Wrap-Up
“And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?” asked Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet.
Don’t wait! Register for Mental Health Matters Summit on April 3 and attend what you can because your mental health matters.