By Lori Meurs
As a follow-up to the recent Forum for Campus Mental Health hosted by Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter, CMC Timberline Campus held a Mental Health Wellness Week from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30. The focus was on promoting living well and making healthy decisions in all aspects of your life – balancing your emotional, mental, social, physical and spiritual wellness.
Each day focused on a certain aspect of mental health wellness. Monday’s theme was “Take a deep breath and relax day.” Free massages were given to students by Erin Watkins, Blue Earth Well Being Salon & Boutique of Leadville. Tuesday’s workshop was “Feng shui your res hall room” by Carlo Boyd, Feng Shui practitioner and Zen Garden Master. Mandy Baker of West Central Mental Health Center presented relaxation techniques and guided imagery tips on Wednesday. Sodexho Dining Services provided a healthy lunch and nutrition handouts for the “You are what you eat” lunch on Thursday followed by “Party with a Purpose – have a good time without alcohol or drugs” with non-alcoholic drink specials, along with a free non-alcoholic recipe book handed out at lunch time. Friday was “Get Physical” day with a bike ride planned, but unfortunately the snow and winter weather won out, and the bike ride had to be cancelled.
A couple of the events were so successful that Student Affairs is planning to offer them again during finals week.
In addition, the Timberline Campus library displayed mental health wellness books the entire week, and publications ordered from the National Mental Health Information Center were available on campus. All of the events were free to participants, with the exception of Thursday’s lunch, and sponsored by the Campus Student Affairs Office.