YPSILANTI, Mich., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Eastern Michigan University is working to improve the mental health of college students with a new visual podcast, “Enlighten U.” The first episode aired Sept. 15 and can be found on EMU’s YouTube Channel and all major podcast platforms.

According to noted mental health professionals, students attending EMU and every other educational institution in America are experiencing a mental health crisis.

“Enlighten U” is a video podcast designed specifically for college students. Every month, an EMU student sits down with two co-hosts and a noted mental health professional to share their journey and receive insight, strategies, and resources.

“Everyone here at EMU, beginning with President James Smith, is concerned about the mental health of our students,” said public relations professor and “Enlighten U” co-host, Lolita Cummings. “We know from research that now, more than ever, students are entering college while struggling with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. We cannot sit idly by and watch them suffer. ‘Enlighten U’ is one of the many services EMU offers its students.”

In its first episode, “Enlighten U” co-hosts Cummings and Melissa Thrasher, EMU’s executive director of media relations and social media, welcome Perry Francis, ED.d., along with sisters, Jessica and Jaida Turner to the podcast set. Dr. Francis is an EMU counseling professor and a nationally certified counselor, while Jessica and Jaida are sisters, singers and EMU students.

The Turner sisters opened the podcast with a song and music video they created for the project. They were asked to do so after creating a song called “Black Diamond” that addressed mental health at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and received huge recognition. While on set, they also discussed their experiences with anxiety. Throughout the conversation, Dr.Francis offered coping mechanisms, shared university resources, and more with all viewers. 

“Throughout the first episode, Jessica and Jaida shared their stories, and Perry Francis offered expert advice and resources,” said Thrasher. “He let them know they’re not alone and help is available. Everyone left the set feeling lighter than they arrived. It’s a problem-solution model we will use for all of our episodes. ‘Enlighten U’ was created to help and may very well save lives.”

Future “Enlighten U” episodes will address the LGBTQ+ community, relationships, adulting, imposter syndrome, financial strain, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.

“Enlighten U” is available on all major podcast streaming services and EMU’s YouTube channel.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University’s website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

SOURCE Eastern Michigan University

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Even though it’s been three years since the pandemic started, student mental health is still a big concern for lawmakers, and they wanted to make sure it’s supported for this new school year.

The state issued $15 million in grants for mental health specialists to 72 districts across the state for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 school years. This has been funded through the state’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to a press release.

Total payments for schools in New London and Windham Counties receiving the grant include:

• $220,279 for the Bozrah School District

• $160,698 for the Canterbury School District

• $167,400 for the Columbia School District

• $324,000 for the East Lyme School District

• $232,000 for the Groton School District

• $193,050 for the Integrated Day Charter School in Norwich

• $297,909 for the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communications in New London

• $162,000 for the Killingly School District

• $209,774 for the Lebanon School District

• $230,709 for the Montville School District

• $133,397 for Norwich Free Academy

• $162,00 for the Plainfield School District

• $139,860 for the Preston School District

• $162,000 for the Putnam School District

• $240,300 for the Scotland School District

• $279,342 for the Sterling School District

• $114,750 for the Stonington School District

• $162,000 for Woodstock Academy

• $67,905 for the Voluntown School District, and

• $162,000 for the Windham School District, according to the press release.

There were also grants awarded in August for student mental health in the summer, meant to last three years. Recipient schools in New London and Windham Counties include $46,800 for the Groton School District, $120,398 for the Killingly School District, $108,333 for the Norwich School District, $40,500 for the Plainfield School District, $40,500 for the Scotland School District, $33,418 for the Sterling School District, and $70,046 for the Windham School District, according to a press release.

How grant funds will be used

Lebanon will use its funds to increase its social worker count from two to three, so one person can be in each of the district’s buildings. Though this is a convenience, it’s more important to ensure the mental health needs of students are being met, Lebanon Superintendent Andrew Gonzalez said.

“It doesn’t seem like much, but in a small district like Lebanon, it’s going to make a big difference,” he said.

The Norwich Free Academy seal on the school floor.

Before this funding, one of the social workers was split between the middle and elementary school, but increasing need became too much for one person to manage schools. There would be times families would want to speak to the social worker, but they weren’t available. The families were directed to the school psychologist or building principal instead, Gonzalez said.

The pandemic brought student mental health needs to light, and it’s important for the government to support these services, Gonzalez said.

“If our students aren’t feeling safe or welcomed in our schools, they’re not going to be able to focus on academics or building relationships,” he said.

Norwich Free Academy will use funds to support existing programs

Norwich Free Academy is still finalizing its plans for the money, but it will continue to support existing efforts. Currently, the school employs four school psychologists, six social workers, and 12 school guidance counselors, and is looking for another, Communications Director Mike O’Farrell stated in an email.

“We have support teams for each grade, and work collaboratively to support the needs of our students,” he stated.

Anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation and poor decision making related to social media are top concerns reported among NFA students. With this demand,  the school needs to continue having mental health resources available, as community resources often have waiting lists, O’Farrell stated.

“We need to continue to collaborate with our community partners and work together to support our students and families,” he stated. “We need to foster relationships with families and connect families to community resources in the best way possible to help our kids.”

Three years after the pandemic, there are still schools around the state that don’t have all their students back in person. Supporting mental health services is a way for the districts to continue bringing students back to in-person learning, and address issues for the students and families at an convenient location. Mental health became an underground issue over the years, so it needs to be brought forward again and be addressed, State Senator Cathy Osten said.

“If we are going to recognize mental health, we have to recognize that it needs resources, and (student mental health grants) provide these resources,” she said.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Connecticut funding student mental health around the state

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Whether you flip through a tabloid or log into social media, famous folks have pioneered numerous wellness trends, such as Gwenyth Paltrow’s Goop or Kate Hudson’s partnership with Fabletics athletic attire. There’s also been an influx of spiritual celebrities embracing mindfulness practice. 

Celebrities’ foray into Eastern traditions and meditation makes sense. Their jobs are often demanding, with extended hours on set or spent on the road touring. As such, they must stay centered in their mind and body.

This article will discuss how mindfulness and creativity go hand in hand and highlight how different celebrities have adopted Eastern spirituality in their daily lives.

Mindfulness Fosters Creativity

The influx of spiritually-awakened celebrities may have many wondering whether meditation and mindfulness are simply fads. Nevertheless, there could be something more to it.

Actors and musicians may come from entirely different worlds, but they all have one thing in common: They are highly creative. For that reason, the widespread adoption of mindfulness in Hollywood makes sense.

Research shows that mindfulness practice can foster creativity by improving concentration and open-mindedness. Additionally, it aims to eliminate fear and a sense of being judged. This prompts a flow of thought, promotes risk-taking and encourages an uncommon response to different situations — all associated with creative tendencies.

Musicians need creativity to write songs and perform in front of audiences. Actors must use their imagination when playing a role. The same can be said for artists, authors and producers of all types. For them, meditation, sitting in silence and breathing for relaxation strengthens their creative abilities. 

6 Spiritually-Awakened Celebrities

Some big names are now recognized as spiritual celebrities. From Russell Brand to Jennifer Aniston, famous folks from all walks of life and at different points in their careers gain peace of mind through Eastern spirituality. Here are six celebrities embracing mindfulness.

1. Olivia Newton-John

Although the late Olivia Newton-John followed Christianity, she was interested in all religions, particularly Dr. Deepak Chopra’s writings. Her song “Let Go Let God” from her “Grace and Gratitude” album even touched on surrendering in search of strength. 

While listening to the song, you’ll hear the infamous Buddhist chant “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” by the monk Nichiren. The mantra sheds light on one’s ability to overcome life’s greatest challenges.

Newton-John’s awakened spirituality resulted from her breast cancer returning in 2017 and 2020. Breast cancer can be tricky to diagnose. While middle-aged women are more at risk of their breast tissue accumulating cancerous cells, women under 40 may still develop the disease. Therefore, scheduling annual check-ups and performing self-exams for abnormal lumps is essential.

2. Alicia Keys

Grammy-award winner Alicia Keys is another spiritually-awakened celebrity who’s turned to mindfulness. Keys adopted a Kundalini meditation practice, setting her alarm clock early for a grounding meditation as the sun rises. Kundalini requires you to develop and reflect on an intention or mantra for a few minutes.

Keys is so serious about her spirituality that she partnered with Dr. Chopra’s health company Chopra Global to develop a free 21-day meditation program. “Activating the Divine Feminine: The Path to Wholeness” helps listeners tap into feminine power, allowing them to find joy and live a more fulfilled life. 

Participants spend 20 minutes meditating daily through guided meditations and storytelling voiced by Keys and Dr. Chopra.

3. Russell Brand

When thinking about mindfulness in Hollywood, Russell Brand is likely one of the first spiritually-awakened celebrities that come to mind. 

Brand turned to transcendental meditation, meditating for an hour daily for nearly a decade to help himself overcome drug and sex addiction. Since then, he’s come out with a podcast called “Under the Skin,” in which he speaks to different people about all things mindfulness-related — living with intention, being happy, spirituality and wellness.

Brand has spoken about transcendental meditation several times, noting that his practice enables him to live more presently. Additionally, he explains how meditation has given him purpose outside of his work as an actor and comedian. 

“The aim becomes a kind of service of a higher or different good, not just contained within my materialistic or my individualistic, rationalistic needs. How can I relate to people differently? Is it possible that every interaction I have ends with that person feeling a little better?”

Transcendental meditation involves a silent mantra repetition to cultivate focus and intention. Practitioners often find that transcendental meditation relieves anxiety, depression and stress. Studies also show that using a mantra encourages emotional self-regulation in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

4. Emma Watson

Only a handful of celebrities have mastered getting in tune with their inner world like Emma Watson has. In 2014, Watson shared that she became a certified yoga instructor between film projects. She also once spent a week at a silent retreat in Canada.

Silent retreats are often days-worth of isolation, requiring you to unplug from your devices and honoring time for reflection. People from all walks of life — whether a newly-divorced single mom or a top executive of a company — attend retreats to separate themselves from the chaotic world.

Silent rumination is a challenging practice for many people. However, silence is conducive to healing and finding balance. When you sit in silence, you learn to let go of anger, hurt or other emotions to move ahead.

5. Paul McCartney

If you ask Paul McCartney about the key to longevity, he’ll likely tell you it’s vegetarianism, yoga and meditation. The Beatles singer practices yoga regularly, doing stretches each morning to start the day. 

A practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, McCartney stumbled upon Eastern spirituality in the 1960s when George Harrison’s wife encouraged the band to meet with spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. 

The Beatles helped popularize Transcendental Meditation afterward. Today, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman, Cameron Diaz and Ellen Degeneres are all said to have adopted a practice.

6. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has used meditation to improve decades-long poor sleeping habits. Today, Aniston turns off her devices and charges them in a different room before meditating and going to bed.

However long she can give her meditation practice suffices — if that means she can only sit for five minutes, it’s just enough time to calm herself down. Depending on her needs, she may use a meditation app with a guided exercise or write down what she’s grateful for. For this reason, her spirituality becomes highly personal. 

Studies suggest that mindfulness may reduce sleep disturbances, although more research is needed as evidence. 

Spiritual Celebrities Promote Mindfulness for All

Celebrities significantly influence everyday people, particularly fans and younger generations who aspire to be like them. As such, their promotion of Eastern Spirituality and mindfulness encourages others to pursue the same. Of course, while many argue that celebrity trends aren’t worth following, this is one movement we might all adopt.

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