Next week’s events to foster mental health among students

A series of events designed to promote mental health among students will be held on campus next week thanks to the College of Medicine Psychiatry Interest Group

The events will help students manage stress in healthy ways and to increase awareness of the risk for mental illness in health professionals and students.

The schedule of events is as follows:

  • Monday — Noon, Wittson Hall Amphitheater. Dr. Howard Liu, a pediatric and adolescent psychiatrist at UNMC, will discuss stress management in health care students. Afterward, a panel of UNMC faculty will hold a question and answer session related to mental health challenges that face students. The panel will consist of Dr. Liu, Dr. David Carter, Dr. Joan Daughton, and Michael Rice. Free lunch will be provided to the first 100 attendees.
  • Wednesday — Noon, Wittson Hall Amphitheater. Dr. Steven Wengel, chairman of the psychiatry department at UNMC, will discuss the benefits of meditation and entertain attendees with a magic show. Yes — a magic show! Free lunch will be provided to the first 100 attendees.
  • Friday — Noon. Sorrell Center main lobby. A pet therapy demonstration will show students the therapeutic qualities of pets and hopefully help relieve some stress.

Also, free massages from massage therapists Kristie Mayne will be provided at noon Tuesday and Thursday. You must sign up for the massage sessions and sign-ups will be held at Monday and Wednesday’s speaking events.