USU hold first ‘Mental Health is No Joke’ week
Sheree Haggan believes HOPE is a four-letter acronym that has the potential to save lives.
“HOPE stands for healing, openness, perseverance and empowerment,” said Haggan, a multicultural program coordinator in the Access and Diversity Center.
Inspired by that idea, Utah State University is hosting its first annual “Mental Health is No Joke” week, beginning Tuesday, including a keynote speaker, a workshop series and a mental health fair.
Alexis Jones, founder and CEO of the international organization I Am That Girl, will kick off the event in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom with a keynote presentation, “#BeBrave: dreams, love and living radically.”
Utah State’s chapter of I Am That Girl worked with the Center for Women and Gender to bring Jones to USU. The workshop series will be held Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Merril-Cazier Library room 101.
Each 20-minute workshop will cover topics such as suicide, impulsiveness, stress management and mindfulness. They are designed to provide individuals with tools to help themselves and others cope with mental health issues.
“Talking about mental health is hard and the stigma associated with the term is not a positive one, but it is definitely something that needs to be addressed,” said Evelyn Hernandez, a member of USU’s I Am That Girl. “Mental health is usually kept on the down low. It’s important to know that mental health does not define us, but is a problem that comes along for the ride at times.”
Many USU departments will be participating in a mental health fair on Thursday, including the Marriage and Family Therapy Department, multicultural clubs from the Access and Diversity Center, the USU Community Clinic, SAAVI and USU Counseling and Psychological Services.
There will also be several organizations from the community, including Bear River Health, CAPSA, Logan Regional and Quality Youth Services in attendance.
“The purpose of the fair is to show students the type of resources available for someone that may be struggling with mental health or even on how to help someone that may be struggling with it,” Hernandez said.
Ty Aller, a graduate student in the marriage and family therapy program, said the inspiration for the event came through his experience of losing a close friend to suicide.
“I have now taken on the responsibility to work with my peers to increase sensitivity and awareness of mental health issues,” Aller said. “The event is the beginning of a long career of helping those around me live a beautiful life.”
Haggan said the week’s theme will bring more hope to USU in future years.
“We already have departments willing to collaborate in the future to help fund annual mental health-themed event weeks,” Haggan said. “This is the beginning of something much bigger.”
More information about the events can be found at online on the university calendar.
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