Coping during the time of COVID-19 is an uncharted, life-changing task for everyone, and it can make caring for our own mental health and the mental health of those around us a challenge. Check out our upcoming mental health presentations as experts share resources and strategies for coping in a time of COVID-19:

 

First Thursdays: Mental Health Speaker Series

The First Thursdays Mental Health Speaker Series concluded in the spring semester of 2022. Videos of the sessions are available at the links below. 

Campus and Community Resources for Hawkeyes that Need Help

Panelists

  • Nikki Hodous, Dean of Students, Student Care & Assistance
  • Anna Holbrook, Dean of Students, Student Care & Assistance
  • Danielle Martinez, Academic Support & Retention and Early Intervention Team
  • Lois Cole, Spiritual Services
  • Sandy Healey, Employee Assistance Program
  • Tiffany Simon, Graduate College

The Role of Well-being in Coping

Panelists

  • Sean Hesler, University Human Resources, Learning and Development
  • Megan Hammes, University Human Resources, LiveWELL
  • Patrick Rossman, Student Wellness
  • JoAnn Daehler-Miller, Student Wellness

Negotiating (Quality) Relationships in the New World

Panelists

  • Jennifer Lynch, Office of the Ombudsperson
  • Isabela Flores, Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement
  • Jacob Priest, LGBTQ Counseling Clinic
  • Erin Barnes, Department of Counselor Education

Suicide Prevention

Panelists

  • John Westefeld, PhD, Board-Certified Psychologist and UI Emeritus Professor
  • Ian Evans, PsyD, University Counseling Services/Staff Psychologist, Suicide Prevention Coordinator
  • Alton Poole, UI PD/Community Outreach Officer
  • Eli Hotchin, Director Threat Assessment Program

Past sessions:

Thursday, April 8, 2021

"Is everything I feel my fault?: Feeling depressed and anxious when it may actually be sadness and stress

VIDEO COMING SOON

Panel Discussion Members

  • Stacey McElroy-Heltzel, Assistant Professor, Psychological and Quantitative Foundations

Thursday, April 1, 2021

The unseen impacts of the pandemic: What do I do with all my losses and disappointments? 

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Linda Stewart Kroon, Director, Women's Resource and Action Center 
  • Katryn Duarte, Assistant Director, Sexual Assault Services, Rape Victim Advocacy Program

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Managing the future of work and learning

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Nikole Mac, Director, Leadership & Organizational Development, University Human Resources

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Undergraduate students 

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Jack Lauer, Undergraduate Student Government
  • Regan Smock, Undergraduate Student Government
  • Dom Badajoz, Native American Student Association
  • Grace Kiple, Undergraduate Student Government
  • Kayla Cleland, Undergraduate Student Government
  • Mara Smith, Undergraduate Student Government

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Parents, families, guardians

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Mary Youngmiller, PhD, Lone Star College
  • Jodi Graff, MA, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Carver College of Medicine
  • Jacob B. Priest, PhD, LMFT, Couple and Family Therapy Program, LGBTQ Counseling Clinic
  • Dawn M. Bates, PhD, University Housing and Dining, University Counseling Service
  • Maureen Schafer, MS, Academic Advising Center
  • Nicholas M. Creary, PhD, Center for Diversity and Enrichment

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Managing the graduate world 

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Saba Rasheed Ali, Program in Counseling Psychology, College of Education
  • Erin Barnes, Program in Rehabilitation and Counselor Education, College of Education
  • Nicole Del Castillo, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Carver College of Medicine
  • Brittany Greenbaum, University Counseling Service 
  • Heidi Schmitt, University Counseling Service
  • Jennifer Teitle, Graduate College

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Caring for self 

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Arwa Aburizik, MD, MS, Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation
  • Bronwyn Threlkeld-Wiegand, LISW, UI Employee Assistance Program
  • Nikole Mac, MBA, Leadership Development
  • Kimberly J. Hart, PhD, Department of Psychiatry
  • Beverly Klug, MA, LMFT, Department of Psychiatry

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Caring for students and others 

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members

  • Carla Melby-Oetken, BA, UI Wellness
  • Maria Guadalupe BrunoPsyD, Division of Student Life
  • Brianne Schwarz, Orientation Services
  • Sean D. Hesler, MS, MBA, Learning and Development
  • Ian K. EvansPsyD, University Counseling Service
  • Scott Liu, PhD, University Counseling Service 

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Students

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members:

  • Kelly Clougher, University Counseling Service
  • Karen Grajczyk, Student Wellness
  • Jeniece Nott, Student Health
  • Linda Kroon, Women’s Resource and Action Center
  • Nikki Hodous​, Office of Care & Assistance
  • Noel Mills, University of Iowa Student Government
  • Adam Robinson, Rape Victim Advocacy Program

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Faculty/Staff 

WATCH VIDEO OF SESSION

Panel Discussion Members:

  • Bronwyn Threlkeld-Wiegand, Employee Assistance Program
  • Megan Hammes, Wellness
  • Elaine Himadi, University Hospitals & Clinics
  • Diana Kremzar, Family Services
  • Eli Hotchkin, Threat Assessment Program
  • Brianna Marcelo, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion