By Laurie Merrill
GCU News Bureau
Valentine’s Day and Mental Health Week might not seem like a likely couple, but Grand Canyon University is celebrating the pair together with Cupid’s consent.
Starting Monday, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is rolling out its first Mental Health Week, titled "Changing Perspectives: Filter Your Life For Positivity, Peace and Purpose.”
The program features 16 sessions no longer than 25 minutes each on such topics as “Having a Healthy Love Life on Campus,” “Laughter is the Best Medicine” and “Through Art All is Healed.”
“It coincides with Valentine’s Day and will be experiential in nature,” said Kathy Britton, CHSS Counseling Program manager. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in art, music, meditation and journal writing.
It’s all intended to help students love themselves along with their fellow Lopes and to practice stress reduction, relationship building and mindfulness.
Presented by CHSS faculty, the talks are scattered like Cupid’s affections over various times Monday to Thursday in buildings 6 and 24.
The week is patterned somewhat after the Colangelo College of Business’ “Money Week” in November, which also had a tinge of a Valentine theme — it was described as “speed dating for the wallet.”
Monday, Feb. 13
4:30-4:55 p.m.
● Asking for Help, Michael Vezzosi, Building 6, Room 102
● Through Art All is Healed, Dr. Julia Langdal, Building 6, Room 202
5-5:25 p.m
● Lists, Lists, Reducing the Stress of Planning, Dr. Chris McBride, Building 6, Room 102
● Laughter is the Best Medicine, Dr. Larry Baron, Building 6, Room 202
Tuesday, Feb. 14
11:15-11:40 a.m.
● Having a Healthy Love Life on Campus, Dr. Elizabeth Valenti, Building 24, Room 111
● Decoding your Professor, Kathy Britton, Building 24, Room 108
11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
● Social Media: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful, Dr. Laura Terry, Building 24, Room 111
● Homesick or Depression?, Dr. Melanie Bierenbaum, Building 24, Room 108
Wednesday, Feb. 15
11:15-11:40 a.m.
● Alcohol, Drugs, Depression: Recognize the Warnings Signs in Friends, Denise Krupp, Building 6, Room 102
● De-stressing Once You’re Stressed: Skills & Tools, Dr. Tanisha Guy, Building 6, Room 102
11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
● Communicating Effectively with your Family, Joshua Danaher and Jessie Farmer, Building 6, Room 102
● Drum Circle, Dr. Tim Larkin, Building 6, Room 202
Thursday, Feb. 16
11:15-11:40 a.m.
● Mindfulness & Meditation Basics, Saundra Schrock, Building 24, Room 111
● Journaling, for a Peaceful Mind and Wellness, Dr. Laura Terry, Building 24, Room 108
11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
● Keeping Friends, Making More Friends, Kathy Britton, Building 24, Room 111
● Getting Good Z's: Sleep Hygiene Habits, Dr. Laurie Tone, Building 24, Room 108
Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or [email protected].
