PHOKUS presents “Mental Health Week”

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Furman University’s PHOKUS, Promoting Healthy Options through Knowledge, Understanding & Service, will present a week-long program addressing mental illness beginning Monday, Jan. 26.

“Mental Health Week” includes CLP speaker engagements and panel discussions, a relaxation day, and an off-Broadway sketch (CLP). A schedule follows:

CLP: Building Mental Fitness, 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, Patrick Lecture Hall. Robyn Hussa Farrell, founder and CEO of Mental Fitness, offers evidence-based methods for improving coping skills.

Relaxation Day with RLC and FUSAB,  Furman Residential Life Council and Furman University Student Activities Board bring tea, healthy snacks, and lovable dogs in front of Duke Library, 2-4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27. Join RLC and FUSAB in the library basement 7-10 p.m., Tuesday for more tea and snacks, plus mini meditation classes and free massages!

CLP: “According to Josh,” 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, McAlister Auditorium. Internationally known suicide prevention speaker Josh Rivedal will speak about his own struggle with thoughts of suicide in his one-man rendition of his off-Broadway production. His talk is followed by a panel discussion on mental illness and suicide, and what can be done to help a friend or ourselves.

CLP: SPEAK OUT: Break the Silence. End the Stigma, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, Watkins Room. Furman students share personal stories of struggles and successes with mental illness. A panel discussion follows addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness in our culture and what we can do to combat it.

For more information about Furman’s “Mental Health Week,” contact Sandra Adams, RN-BC, Student Health Services, (864) 294-2180, or sandra.adams@furman.edu.