Beginning Thursday, March 10, and continuing throughout the semester, Brookdale will present four speakers as part of the “The Stigma Free Speaker Series.” Hosted by the Psychology and Human Services Club in conjunction with Student Life and Activities, each speaker is a current Brookdale student or alumni and will be sharing their stories about their mental health struggles and how they cope with them daily. Each event will be held in the Student Life Center as well as on Zoom.
On March 10, Sage Short, a 20-year-old pre-social work major from Old Bridge, will begin a discussion on trauma. “I hope to open the conversation about trauma. Just like how it used to make people feel uncomfortable to talk about depression, we’ve moved away from that—but we still have made little to no strides forward when it comes to talking about trauma,” Short said.
Short will host a presentation on her experience with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder throughout the past 15 years, the struggles that come with that, and how she copes. Short’s presentation will be 11:45 a.m., in Fort Hancock, Room 216, in the Student Life Center as well as live streamed on Zoom.
Emily Maxim will host a presentation 11:45 a.m. March 28 in Navesink, Room 216, in the Student Life Center as well as on Zoom. Maxim will talk about her experiences with an autoimmune disease which also affected her mental health. “Having atypical symptoms and an autoimmune disease that many may not know about has left me to suffer in silence and to be afraid to mention if I am having an anxious moment, let alone a panic attack,” Maxim said.
At 11:45 a.m. April 14, Joie Bauman will discuss the struggle she faced growing up with no conversation about mental health and how that affected her. Join Bauman in Navesink I, Room 216, in the Student Life center or on Zoom to hear her share her story.
The last presenter of the series is Leigh Povia, a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker, registered play therapist, certified EMDR therapist, and an approved EMDR consultant. To hear from a professional about trauma, mental health challenges, and treatment, join Leigh Povia in Navesink I, room 216 on April 28th at 11:45 a.m., or on Zoom at the same time.
Brookdale offers many resources to help students struggling with their mental health, including the new partnership with the “TalkCampus” app. This app allows students to receive support 24/7, from people all around the world. By using a Brookdale email address, current students are able to access the support network for free. Through this network, users can post, browse and interact with students throughout the nation, and the world, with professional safeguards to get students immediate additional help if needed.
Mental Health Disclaimer from the hosts: Please be advised that content of the presentations may at times be difficult for audience members due to the nature of the topics. Our goal is to discuss different topics such as trauma, self-harm, anxiety and depression in a space that allows for awareness, enhances understanding and empathy, and ultimately chips away at stigma. Mental health resources will be made available for each presentation and mental health professionals will be in attendance to assist those with resources.