The mental health of college students is important for universities to address and support. The rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts have never been higher across college campuses. It is an issue that campus staff everywhere are actively trying to solve, but most are overwhelmed.
Pace University is trying to create a safe and healthy environment for its students to express their stresses and anxieties. An example of their effort is the Journey with Johnny event on Tuesday, October 29th, which was hosted in the Honors Lounge.
Johnny Liang is a doctoral intern in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University. Before deciding to get his Doctorate, he received a master’s degree in Mental Health counseling. He is now working as a Health Service Psychology Intern at Pace University.
He planned this mental health workshop to help students understand how cognitive reframing can benefit their mental health. Liang defined cognitive restructuring as “a tool used in CBT cognitive behavioral therapy that can help reframe what are called maladaptive thoughts into more adapted ones.
According to Britannica, maladaptive thinking refers to a false and rationally unsupported belief. Liang further explained, “Maladaptive thoughts can lead to depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. You are constantly swarmed with hopeless thoughts.”
The goal of this event was to help students track their thoughts and adapt them while making the connection by trying sour foods while under the influence of taste-altering berries. Liang used the miracle berries as a sort of metaphor for cognitive restructuring, explaining how these miracle berries can alter one’s taste, just like one can alter one’s mindset by practicing cognitive restructuring.
When students entered, they were given a worksheet to help them turn “Lemons into Lemonade.” It offered a step-by-step on how to identify automatic thoughts, identify cognitive distortions, dispute thoughts, and replace those thoughts with realistic alternatives.
Overall, students shared their experiences with their mental health and thoughts on the workshop. They offered insight into how changing one’s perspective can help when dealing with these intrusive thoughts.
The Journey with Johnny event was a huge success! But if you missed it, Liang mentioned there will be another event surrounding students’ stress on November 8th. “It’s a stress-relieving event, sort of like a very tame break room. It’s going to be a lot of emotions stirred up because of the election; of course, we’re providing space for students to relieve their feelings.”
Another event hosted by Johnny called the “Journey with Johnny: Understanding ADHD” was held in the honors conference room on March 27 from 4:00-4:45. It offered students the opportunity to learn more about career paths and graduate programs. Students came for advice on resumes, interviews, and career growth. It was a great chance to learn and grow!
Lastly, there are two upcoming events: Johnny is providing an inner child nostalgia workshop on April 17th from 3:25-4:25. Students will be exploring their dreams and the inside to their child subconscious. On May 8th at noon, the event will be a brunch serving waffle as a way for students to destress before finals!
I know I’ll be there! For more information, check out the Honors Instagram, @pacehonorsnyc. With that being said, if you ever need counseling, please reach out to Pace University’s Counseling Center. They’re always willing to offer advice or just listen. Here is their link for more information.