May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year it’s an issue that directly affects virtually everyone, with stress levels running high during the COVID-19 crisis.
Whether you have existing mental health issues or are experiencing anxiety or depression for the first time during the lockdown, the CDC recommends taking breaks from consuming COVID-19 content as a coping strategy. The organization also recommends connecting with other people — and, right now, that usually means connecting virtually.
University of Delaware is doing its part during Mental Health Awareness Month 2020 with a free web series called “That’s Interesting!” covering a variety of topics that will either take your mind off of the pandemic for a little while, or help give you a positive outlook on the future.
The panels will take place on Zoom, and include:
- May 15 (noon): Photograph Preservation with Deborah Hess Norris, art conservation — Practical guidance on the preservation of historic and contemporary photographic prints
- May 20 (11:30 a.m.): Songwriting with Mark Adams, School of Music — Songwriting and its application to mental health plus a few tips to get started writing your own songs
- May 22 (noon): Economics For Kids with Bonnie Meszaros, Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship — Why teaching economics in elementary school is important
- May 27 (noon) Panel Discussion on Sustainability with UD Sustainability co-chairs Chris Williams, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Michelle Bennett, Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services — Sustainability in the realms of nutrition, native plants and current local priorities
Also, on May 30, NAMI Delaware is hosting it’s annual NAMIWalks event — but instead of its traditional 5K walk, the org has turned it into a virtual event, including a “5K your way,” where individuals can do 3,500 steps by taking solo walks at home or doing 5K on a treadmill or stationary bike (or whatever they choose), and host virtual gatherings, with participants encouraged to post photos on social media with the hashtags #NotAlone and #MentalHealthForAll.
As always, registrants can form teams and make NAMIWalks websites to raise funds for NAMI, the national grassroots mental heath organization.
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