Virtual events aim to bring some joy this Mental Health Awareness Month

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.