The University of the Ozarks’ psychology program as well as the student-led Psychology Club will host a series of events on campus in conjunction with the national Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 3-7.
Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), Mental Illness Awareness Week is held during the first week of October to bring public awareness to mental illness issues and provide support.
Elias Loria, a junior psychology and marketing major from Costa Rica and president of the Psychology Club, said “stigma free” is the primary message for the week.
“We want to encourage the Ozarks community to raise their voice against the stigma that has been created in regards to mental illness,” Loria said. “We want to challenge everyone to spread awareness and to engage in conversations about how to take actions to be stigma free.”
Gabriel Lavoi, a sophomore psychology and English major from Harrison, Ark., added, “Mental health awareness week is a time of reflection, education, and activities concerning a ‘stigma free’ perspective, when looking at people with disorders and mental conditions.”
The schedule for the week:
Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 3-7, 2016
Presented by the Psychology Department and the Psychology Club
Monday, Oct. 3
11 a.m.- 1 p.m.: “Be Smart About Mental Illness.” Outside the cafeteria.
6:30 p.m.: Movie “Call Me Crazy.” Room 133, Walker Hall
Tuesday, Oct. 4
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Sleep is a Lifesaver.” Outside the cafeteria.
7 p.m.: Candlelight Vigil outside Munger-Wilson Chapel.
Tuesday is National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding
Wednesday, Oct. 5
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Ozarks Mindfulness Center Open House, Voorhees Hall
Stop by and learn about the services provided by the Stress Management Clinic and Applied Positive Psychology Clinic
Thursday, Oct. 6
11 a.m.-Noon: “Have a Chocolate Day.” Outside the cafeteria.
Stop by for some chocolate and learn about eating disorders
Noon-12:50 p.m.: “Understanding Autism.” Bean Room, Rogers Conference Center
Mr. Matthew Eubanks, Jones Learning Center specialist, will speak about the Autism Spectrum Disorder
Friday, Oct. 7
11 a.m.- 1 p.m.: “Shred Your Negative Thoughts.” Outside the cafeteria.
Topics: Psychology