The Austin Community College District is hosting a Mental Health & Wellness Fair at Rio Grande Campus on Tuesday, April 13, with workshops scheduled through the rest of the week.

The fair will be 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday, on the front lawn of Rio Grande Campus. The event brings together college and community mental health and wellness resources, including health screenings, chair massage, acupressure demonstrations, and more.

The workshops, covering topics such as stress, weight management, and healthy relationships, are scheduled for April 13-16 at Rio Grande. Each campus library will also have health and wellness materials on display this week.

The complete list of events is as follows:

Mental Health & Wellness Fair

April 13, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. RGC Front Lawn

Screenings:

Alcohol Screening Using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Noon – 2 p.m.: Liz Coccia, ACC Professor of Human Services

Cancer Screening: Alex Matthews, ACC Health Professions Institute Continuing Education

Spinal Screenings: Dr. Brian Clark, Discover Chiropractic

Other Screenings: Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Pregnancy Testing, etc.: Sam Price, City of Austin Mobile Health Van Screening Program

Demonstrations:

Chair Massage: Alex Matthews, ACC Health Professions Institute

Tai Chi Chih, 2–2:30 pm Front Lawn: Richard Cutler, ACC Adjunct Professor of Radio, Television & Film

Acupressure: Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Therapeutic Recreation Activities and Leisure Interest Survey: Liz Salinas, ACC Adjunct Professor of Human Services; Laurie Freelove, Texas Star Recovery

Book Displays (April 13–16)

All campus libraries – books and other materials on display dealing with health and wellness issues.

Workshops (April 13–16)

Stress and College

Lorna Allen, MS, LPA, LPC, Austin Lakes Hospital at St. David’s Pavilion

Bernadette Wiley, Outreach Manager at Texas Star Recovery

Learn how some stress can be beneficial, but how too much can lead to depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse. This will be an interactive presentation that includes physiological, nutritional, and emotional components of stress management.

Tuesday, April 13, 3–4:30 p.m., Rio Grande Campus Annex, Room 156

Weight Management: Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Lynn Zipoy, Ph.D., LPC, Psychotherapist in Private Practice

Beth Goldberg, LCDC, Certified Life Coach

There is an abundance of information on eating a nutritious diet and on getting adequate exercise. What seems to be missing in many weight management programs is one that seeks to understand the “whole” person.  A holistic approach to health and weight management is designed to bring four areas of health into balance with one another: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Wednesday, April 14, 9–10:20 a.m., Rio Grande Campus Annex, Room 253

Healthy Relationships

Sarah Reidy, LCSW, Counselor at SafePlace

This presentation will allow participants to understand what constitutes a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship. Participants will also learn what skills are needed to create a healthy relationship. After the presentation, the participants will be able to determine whether their relationships are healthy or abusive, how to address their partner, and where to access resources if the relationship is abusive.

Wednesday, April 14, 3:20–4:30 p.m., RGC Room 122

Internet Addiction: Fact or Fiction?

Herb Coleman, Ph.D., Director of Instructional Computing and Technology

Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Austin Community College

Find out the roots of this issue and why the mental health community is split on whether it is a real phenomenon or the product of media hype and lack of understanding about human interface with modern technology.

Thursday, April 15, 9:30–11 a.m., Rio Grande Campus Annex, Room 156

Tai Chi Chih: Joy Through Movement

Richard Cutler, Adjunct Professor of Radio, Television & Film

Certified Teacher of Tai Chi Chih

Nineteen deceptively simple movements work subtle wonders in this slow-motion, graceful meditation. Learn a practice that you can do on your own your whole life. See taichichih.org

Thursday, April 15, Noon–12:50 p.m., Rio Grande Campus Annex, Room 156

Dealing with Students in Emotional Distress

Mae Thompson, LPC, Counselor/Professor at Austin Community College

Participants will learn how to distinguish between “crisis” and emotional distress, how to set and maintain good boundaries, and how to refer students to the appropriate college and community resources. This workshop is available for faculty and staff only; registration is required through ACC Professional Development.

Friday, April 16, 10–11:30 a.m., Rio Grande Campus Annex, Room 160

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