The University of the Virgin Islands’ Counseling and Career Services Office will host “Mental Health Awareness Week” from March 23-27, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Themed “Mental Health Awareness Week at UVI: Mental Health – Not a Stigma,” this awareness campaign seeks to foster greater awareness and provide education on the concern on mental health in the territory.
A weeklong series of workshops and activities will include a one-day certificate program on “Mental Health First Aid,” a lunch-time film presentation entitled: “Inside Out,” and a “Stigma-Free” student poster campaign.
There will also be an open forum titled “Why Mental Health” on Monday, March 23. The forum will feature student keynote speakers, Angelique Flemming and Chauntel Somersall, who will highlight key indicators of identifying acute signs of distress and share personal reflections of working through the stigma of mental health.
“Student Affairs’ continuous working relationship with the Frederiksted Health Center and other departments, within the University, aim to continuously build greater awareness to and develop a robust and holistic approach to our student’s mental health through counselling and engagement,” said Hedda Finch Simpson, dean of students on the Sheen Campus.
See Full List of Events Planned:
Monday, March 23
Event: ‘What is Mental Health?’ Open Forum
Panellist: Student Keynote of Representatives, Angelique Flemming, Chauntel Somersall, and Wanda Rosario, members from the Department of Health, and UVI Community
Venue | Time: Student Center, 12 pm - 1 pm
Tuesday, March 24
Event: “Breaking Stigmas and Creating Awareness’ - UVI Student Poster Campaign
Venue | Time: Student Activities Terrace, 12 pm - 2 pm
Wednesday, March 25
Event: Health Services “Annual Health Fair and Wellness Social”
Venue | Time: UVI Lawn, 10 am - 3 pm
Thursday, March 26
Event: “Inside Out (2015 film)”: After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.- Anonymous
Venue | Time: Student Center, 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Event: ‘Mental Health First Aid’ – One-Day Certificate Program: “An in-person training for anyone who wants to learn about mental illnesses and addictions, including risk factors and warning signs. This 8-hour training teaches participants a 5-step action plan to help a person in crisis connect with professional, peer, social, and self-help care.-www.samhsa.gov
Partnerships: Frederiksted Health Center, Psychology Club, Counselling and Career Services
Venue | Time: NWW 102-103, 9 am to 3:30 pm
Friday, March 27
Event: ‘Mental Health First Aid’ – One-Day Certificate Program: “An in-person training for anyone who wants to learn about mental illnesses and addictions, including risk factors and warning signs. This 8-hour training teaches participants a 5-step action plan to help a person in crisis connect with professional, peer, social, and self-help care.-www.samhsa.gov
Partnerships: Frederiksted Health Center, Psychology Club, Counselling and Career Services
Venue | Time: NWW 102-103, 9 am to 3:30 pm
For more information, contact the Public Relations Office at (340) 693-1057 or email pr@uvi.edu.