91ֿ kicked off its highly anticipated Mental Health Campaign on Tuesday, Oct. 10, with the message to Reduce the Stigma, Seek Help and Refer a Flash.
The two-hour kickoff event, held in the Kent Student Center Ballroom, was well attended by the university community. A mental health discussion was held with licensed therapist and Angelique Daniels, director of marketing research and strategy in the Division of University Communications and Marketing, who asked questions that were submitted by students, faculty and staff.
The campaign was promoted through posters and messages across campus that highlighted students, faculty and staff who have volunteered to be the “faces" of the campaign as mental health advocates. This video was featured at the kickoff event:
To begin the event, Talea Drummer-Ferrell, Ph.D., associate vice president and dean of students in the Division of Student Life, welcomed everyone and thanked the student groups and the mental health advocates who assisted with the campaign.
“As you were walking in you could see this diverse group of faculty, staff, students and alumni who were able to share stories of their own experiences of a loved one and even their passions of their efforts connected to mental health,” Drummer-Ferrell said. “These advocates embodied the mantra Flashes Take Care of Flashes.”&Բ;
Taking Care of Mental Health
Keynote speaker Kier Gaines, a licensed therapist, shared insights with the crowd about the benefits of therapy as a part of taking care of one's mental and emotional health. “Seeing someone who is an expert in the field, they are going to tell you what’s going on,” Gaines told the audience during a Q&A session moderated by Daniels.
“If I’m having chest pains, I don’t think I’m going to the foot doctor. I think I’m going to see a cardiologist,” said Gaines. “If I just ran into a whole bunch of money, I’m not going to go see my cousin Steve to see how to keep earning more money. I’m probably going to go see an accountant. A therapist is the equivalent of that within the respects of the mental health and emotional health.”
Gaines also shared tips for dealing with mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. “Anxiety and depression are like smoke and fire or like thunder and lightning. Where there’s one, there’s probably going to be another. They go hand-in-hand very often,” he said.
Gaines pointed out the managing mental health challenges like anxiety is a lifelong process. “Anxiety plays things up to a level that far surpasses what it would be if you could look at [it] minus the anxious feelings. Sometimes you just need a little help stepping outside of that,” he said.
“You have to constantly remind yourself – it's a life process – to say ‘no, wait a minute. This is coming from anxious thinking. Let me take a step back, let me take a few deep breaths. What is the danger in front of me?’”
Throughout the evening, Daniels asked Gaines for ideas regarding dealing with various areas that may trigger stress, from life after the pandemic, to relationships, to balancing the many challenges that come with being a student. Daniels also asked Gaines to share tips for anyone looking to support others who may be considering self-harm. Gaines said that being present for the individual is a good first step, along with asking questions and providing information about resources available to help. Gaines also took questions provided by the audience while registering for the event.
Tuesday’s event was the kickoff for a university-wide mental health awareness month campaign, which will have events throughout October showcasing the various mental health resources available to the 91ֿ community.
Other Mental Health Events
There was also event on Risman Plaza from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 10 that included interactive expo booths, food, peer-to-peer messaging, giveaways and more. The event was sponsored by the 91ֿ of Well-being.
Access to 91ֿ’s mental health resources, along with news about upcoming mental health events, can be found at www.kent.edu/mentalhealth.