Mental Health Awareness Week Oct. 5

A variety of mental health awareness events are scheduled Oct. 5-9 as part of Mental Health Awareness Week at the University of Wyoming. All events are free and open to the public, and no registration is needed.

“Mental Health Awareness Week programming focuses on: increasing knowledge about mental health resources; stress management skills; and skills for managing crisis situations, such as how to help an individual stay safe and get connected with professional help if the person is struggling with thoughts of ending his or her life,” says University Counseling Center Associate Director Toi Geil.

Events for the week are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 5, 1 p.m. -- “Yoga: Balancing the mind body connection,” Wyoming Union Senate Chambers.

Monday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. -- “Mindfulness and Mental Health, ‘Chicken Breathing’ and ‘Lizard Breathing,’” Wyoming Union Senate Chambers.

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. -- “When your Frisky is on the Fritz.” Explore the connection between your sexual and mental wellness, and what to do when neither is going well, Wyoming Union Family Room.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 8 a.m. -- “UW Gatekeepers Suicide Prevention.” This two-hour training is open to students, faculty, staff and community members in the Wyoming Union East Ballroom.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. -- “Woof for Wellness.” What is a service dog? What is a therapy dog? Find out and meet two Laramie therapy dogs, Wyoming Union Family Room.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, noon -- “If You Build It, We Will Come: Positive Factors Contributing to Ethnic Minorities Seeking Mental Health Services,” Wyoming Union Family Room. Lunch provided.

Thursday, Oct. 8, noon -- “Coping with Stress?” This interactive workshop for veterans, students, staff and faculty will explore the impact of stress and strategies to overcome it, Wyoming Union Senate Chambers. Pizza provided.

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m. -- “Getting Out of Your Own Way.” A discussion that explores how to transcend perfectionism and other challenges that may get in the way of a college student’s success, Wyoming Union Senate Chambers.

Friday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. -- “Spiritual Wellness-Awakening to life by calming our inner spirit,” Wyoming Union Senate Chambers.

The Mental Health Awareness Committee is composed of UW students, staff and faculty who collaborate to provide programming each year for Mental Health Awareness Week during the fall semester and Body Image Awareness Week during the spring semester.

For more information, visit the University Counseling Center website at www.uwyo.edu/ucc.