Plans consist of lectures, games and practices
‘I sometimes say this is the biggest epidemic no one is talking about,’ said Thomas Insel, mental health czar for the new governor of California, in a TED radio hour, that kicked off Mental Wellness Week on the SLU campus.
The event was sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Campus Rec and Wellness. First activity of the event, “TEGxTalks: Students Share”, which consists of three parts: TED Radio Hour, Students Speech, and Discussion, took place in Tageler Auditorium on Monday night.
‘There are 38,000 suicides each year in the United States. That means one about every 15 minutes. Ninety percent of suicides are related to a mental illness.’ Insel stated.
Andrew Houston, event leader, gave some advice to participants, ‘Go talk with your family or roommates, to share how you feel… maybe reflect on something…don’t hide them all the time.’ He stated the courage to share is an effective way to relieve anxiety.
‘I always schedule a meeting with myself. Simple.’ This advice was shared by a student in the discussion session on the question about personal experience of overcoming mental stress.
Mental Wellness Week runs four days and the activities are:
- Monday: TEGxTalks in Tegeler Auditorium, 7p.m. to 9p.m.
- Tuesday: Labyrinth by Campus Ministry in STL room, 10a.m. to 3p.m.
- Wednesday: Spring Expressive Arts Group in Wuller Hall 231, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Behind Happy Faces in BSC 251, 6 p.m. to 7p.m.
- Thursday: Stress-Free Coloring all day in Student Involvement Center
People who collect the stamps of the four events get a free T-shirt. More information can be found at table in Busch Student Center from 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Chao News 