The Milligan Counseling Center has introduced a monthly Lunch + Learn series aimed at breaking down barriers and expanding mental health awareness across campus. The counseling center offers students a setting to learn about mental health topics while enjoying lunch with peers and professionals.
“It’s a great opportunity for our students and faculty to get to know folks in the community and maybe get to see a side of mental health they’ve never experienced before.” explained Kristy Pruitt, Director of Counseling Center.
“Our goal is to seek out people that maybe never considered having counseling before.” She continues “Monthly events are a good way to get people in and expose them to the counseling center,”.
The program features a diverse range of mental health topics, incorporating recovery stories from individuals who have successfully navigated mental health challenges. Professional counselors and mental health experts lead interactive sessions, teaching practical coping skills and stress management techniques that students can apply in their lives.
The topics were chosen based on what were hot topics for the area that often need resources. The first event took place on Nov. 13 and was Men’s Mental Health Awareness. Other topics that are planned include the following: Grief Awareness, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness, Eating Disorder Awareness, Women’s Mental Health, and Stress Awareness.
About The Author
Gabrielle Jones is a sophomore from Elizabethton. She is a Multimedia Journalism major and a Filmmaking minor. She is the Social Media Manager for Stampede. She enjoys horror media, reading, and film.