Wellness symposium, fair set Sept. 30 at Idaho State University

The first annual Idaho State University Counseling, Testing, and Career Services Wellness Symposium and campus Wellness Booth Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the Pond Student Union.

The symposium’s free sessions will be held in the North Fork and Middle Fork Rooms. The event is being held in collaboration with other ISU mental health professionals. It is designed to provide ISU students, faculty and staff, and members of the community with a broad range of educational wellness presentations intended to increase individual awareness of what might be done to enhance an individual’s ability to live a quality and balanced life.

The Wellness Booth Fair is taking place in the South Fork Room. The following offices will come out to provide faculty, staff and students with information about the wellness services available on campus and to provide helpful wellness tips for everyday life: Counseling and Testing, Career Services, Wellness Center, Gender Anderson Resource Center, Student Health Center, Outdoor Adventure Center, Dental Hygiene, Center for Teaching and Learning, Financial Wellness Clinic, Campus Recreation, Center for New Directions, Massage Therapy Clinic, Nutrition Program, Occupational Therapy Program and Veterans' Sanctuary.

Seating is limited for the symposium’s lectures so participants are encouraged to register early by calling (208) 282-7750.

Symposium sessions are as follows:

NORTH FORK SESSIONS

• “Viewing Conflict As An Opportunity,” Session 1: North Fork Room, 9 -11 a.m., presented by Lindsi Bennett, M. Counseling. This session will focus on defining conflict, discussing triggers, discovering how you feel, and then discerning how you deal by determining your conflict style/process.

• “Couple Communication: Getting Closer,” Session 2: North Fork Room, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Jane Coe Smith, Ph.D. How do you nurture that relationship and strengthen the bond between you and your partner? We will talk about communication strategies.

• “You In Your Relationships,” Session 3, North Fork Room, 1 – 3 p.m. Steve Moody, M. Counseling. Explore the dynamics of how families and groups relate. Practical strategies and ideas will be explored in navigating the multiple interactions we experience every day.

MIDDLE FORK SESSIONS

• “The Elusive Pursuit Of Happiness,” Session 4: Middle Fork Room, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Julie Thompson, M. Counseling. This presentation explores how happiness is defined, along with looking at what gets in the way of accomplishing happiness.

• “Effectively Manage Stress So It Doesn’t Manage You,” Session 5: Middle Fork Room, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Donna Summers, M. Counseling. This workshop will focus on understanding stress and how it affects our lives.

• “Taming Your Worried Mind,” Session 6: Middle Fork Room, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Paula Seikel, Ph.D.  Current research evidence of the health benefits of practices such as mindfulness meditation and yoga will be presented.

• “Reconceptualizing Wellness,” Session 7, Middle Fork Room, 1 – 3 p.m., Amanda Minor, M.Ed. This session will conceptualize a new model of wellness with a specific focus on individuals who might not typically be seen as having the ability to achieve a high-level of wellness.