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Mental Health Conference
POSTPONED Due to the effects of Hurricane Ida, the Mental Health Conference is postponed. The announcement of rescheduled dates is forthcoming.
Brought to you by the Universities of Louisiana Mental Health Advisory Council
The mental health advisory council consists of students, faculty, staff, and mental health counselors from UL System member institutions. The purpose of the Council is to identify tools for faculty and staff that will help them to improve their mental health. The areas that the Council will explore include self-care, suicide prevention, and burnout.
Schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 31 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
How do you self-care?
We're gathering self-care tips from you for a video to show the importance of self-care for mental health. Submit a quick video clip of yourself answering the following questions to jessie.gabor@ulsystem.edu by Aug. 30 for a chance to be featured! Smartphone videos are fine as long as they are recorded horizontally. How do you practice self-care? Why is self-care important to you?
Register
This virtual conference is free to attend. Access information will be emailed the morning of Aug. 31.
Full Schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 31
2 p.m. Welcome – UL System Provost Jeannine Kahn
2:05 p.m. Keynote – Dr. Jacquelyn Ollison
3 p.m. Panel – Dealing with Difficult Topics through Courageous Conversations
Participants
Troy Hidalgo, Director of Student Health Services, McNeese
Alex Coad, Director of Residential Living, Nicholls
James Grimes, Director of Counseling Services, McNeese
Kevin Washington, Department Head, Psychology, Grambling
Pamela Payne, Associate Professor of Education, Grambling
This session will focus on helping faculty, staff, and administrators with the difficult situations they may face going into the new academic year. Though there will be joy of having more people on campus, the effects of the pandemic will continue to linger, and faculty, staff, and administrators may be the confidants that students and colleagues turn to when in distress. Topics include:
- Anxiety
- Delayed Grief
- Unemployment
- Health Issues
- Food/Shelter Insecurities
- Abuse
Wednesday, Sept. 1
8:30 a.m. Keynote – Dr. Ray Tucker
Dr. Tucker will discuss the importance of suicide prevention awareness especially for underserved populations.
9:30 a.m. Panel – How to Identify Struggling Individuals
The Suicide Prevention Awareness Subcommittee will introduce and explain a tool to help individuals in crisis receive the proper resources.
10:30 a.m. Training – Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
This session will provide strategies for recognizing and talking with someone who may be considering suicide or for those that confide they are.
11:30 a.m. Breakout Session – QPR Discussion
12:30 p.m. Break
2 p.m. Panel – A Focus on Self-Care: Taking Care of Others by Taking Care of You
Participants
Courtney Williams, Assistant Director of the University Counseling Center, Southeastern
Tari Dilks, UL System Mental Health Content Expert, McNeese
Coleen Speed, Director Student Counseling Services, Grambling
Alexander Barnes, Chief of University Police, Nicholls
L’Oreal Williams, UL System Student Board Member, Southeastern
With an introduction video showing how our university communities practice self-care, this panel focuses on mental healthcare strategies that we should all be incorporating into our daily routines. It focuses on the types of self-care that can strengthen mental resiliency and serve as a reminder that we cannot give to others when our glass is empty. Topics include:
- Physical wellness
- Relaxation techniques
- Counseling Services
- Setting Boundaries
