Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Matthew Kolasa Student leaders discuss ways to manage stress with student health professionals at the Mental Health Camp at Houston Hall Tuesday. Flyers promote awareness of health programs for students. [Click to enlarge]

If you think stress has to be a normal part of your Penn life, think again.

Last night, several student organizations on campus hosted leaders from various groups for the campus' first Mental Health Camp.

The initiative was started to provide students with practical mental-health techniques and strategies they can apply in their everyday lives.

The Asian Pacific Student Coalition, the Mental Health Coalition, Counseling and Psychological Services, Sangam, a women's discussion group and the United Minorities Council came together to try and debunk the stigma that is often associated with mental-health issues.

The event also tried to show the Penn community that mental health is integral to a person's overall well-being, organizers said.

32 student leaders from groups such as the Undergraduate Assembly, Lambda Alliance, cultural groups, and campus resident and graduate advisors were invited to come and learn about aspects of mental health.

CAPS director Ilene Rosenstein and associate director Meeta Kumar hosted two workshops last night on understanding depression and reducing procrastination.

Michael Baime, director of the Penn Program for Stress Management, gave the audience tips on meditation techniques that improve memory and concentration, like the Ten Breaths model.

These techniques, Baime said, bring individuals' attention back to their own presence, reducing outside stressors.

"We're looking to give a basic overview of not only the issues students face on campus but also the resources that are available to them," said Jasmine Fournier, vice chairwoman of the Mental Health Coalition and former editor-in-chief of 34th Street.

Kumar has been working closely with student groups to develop Mental Health Camp and said she agreed that many students can benefit from the model set up with this camp.

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