In conjunction with national Mental Health Month, the DU Health Promotion team offered virtual events during their Mental Health Awareness Week to promote awareness of mental health issues, eradicate mental health stigma and provide resources for the DU community. The events took place during the first week of May.
The first event was a bullet journaling tutorial on May 5. Before starting, the hosts shared quick facts about mental health. Statistically, about 10 percent of college students consider suicide each year and many college students face stress, anxiety and depression. These statistics encouraged the team to openly talk about mental health and give support to the community.
The hosts showed a video introducing the basics of bullet journaling, shared Pinterest boards that focused on gratitude and self-affirmations and played uplifting music for the duration of the event. Participants were given time to create what they wanted. The intent was to create a space to reflect and engage. At the end of the 30 minutes, attendees had a chance to share what they made. A recording of the event can be viewed on the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) website under the Health Promotion page.
The bullet journaling event also kicked off the DU Thrive Moments of Mindfulness Challenge. This month-long challenge in May promotes self-care and positive mental health while working from home. There is a new challenge and event each week. At the end of each challenge, participants can fill out a survey that enters them into a giveaway for the chance to win a prize. The prize giveaway is only open to DU students, but faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the weekly events if they are interested.
Several events were held on Wednesday, including Narcan training and Recovery Ally training. Narcan is used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdoses. Presented by the Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), this event trained attendees to administer Narcan in light of America’s opioid crisis.
The second training prepared participants to become a recovery ally on the DU campus. On DU’s Mental Health Awareness Week webpage, the CRC said they are “committed to ensuring that recovery is a part of the conversation on college campuses when we address high risk drinking and other drug misuse.”
The day was set to conclude with a screening of the documentary “Lift the Mask: Portraits of Life with Mental Illness” presented by the HCC and the Quell Foundation. However, due to technical issues with Zoom, the screening will be rescheduled for a later date.
Thursday’s webinar, “Self Care During the Job/Internship Search,” was held in collaboration with Career and Professional Development, DU Mind and the HCC. The session covered topics such as managing stress and anxiety during job searching, maintaining a positive mindset during the process and navigating employment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is stuff going on out there that is definitely scary, and I think that it’s normal to be nervous about your job and internship search,” said Stacey Stevens, an associate director and career advisor.
Many attendees were concerned with how COVID-19 was impacting employment opportunities. Stevens reassured people and said that many employers are offering internships and jobs virtually.
The webinar concluded with advice from panelists, which included rewarding yourself after accomplishing a goal and relying on social support. A recording of the webinar will be available on the Career and Professional Development website in upcoming weeks.
Mental Health Awareness Week wrapped up with a light-hearted therapy dog hour presented by Go Team. Go Team is a non-profit organization registered in 2012, and has about 80 team members in Colorado. They visit schools, colleges, hospitals and retirement homes. They also provide dogs to help with crises, such as the aftermath of suicides and school shootings.
Go Team shared stories of their therapy dogs helping children learn, firefighters sleep and soldiers arrive at airports. They taught attendees the difference between therapy, emotional support and service pets. Several dogs were introduced over Zoom. One of these impressive animals was Tabor, who appeared in the sixth “Air Bud” film as a puppy and Sky, a toy fox terrier who knows over 150 tricks.
During the week’s bullet journal event, the hosts shared a quote from the poet Morgan Harper Nichols, known on Instagram as MHN. I thought it important to remember and an appropriate closing to week six of the quarter, especially during these times: “You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breath. You are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still, and rest.”
For anyone seeking support, guidance or questions about mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out. The HCC continues to support students through a variety of services and resources, and can be reached at 303-871-2205 or through the My SSP: Student Support Program app. On DU’s mental health homepage, a list of self-care tips is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes taking breaks, keeping a routine and maintaining physical distance instead of social distance.
