Students Take Time to Stop and Paint the Flowers

May 22, 2017

CoCom hosted its second annual Mental Health Awareness Week this May to promote student and staff mental health, offer de-stressing activities, and help to strengthen Pardee RAND community ties. Several activities were available, including beach yoga, meditation, tai chi, massages, a lunch and presentation on researcher mental health, a group art project, and puppy therapy.*

By signing up for the various activities, students also had the opportunity to enter free raffle drawings for a month of tai chi lessons, a mani-pedi, bottles of red wine (tannins are also good for the heart!), and Starbucks gift cards.

Coordinator Melissa Felician (cohort '13) noted after the event, "Many thanks also to all students and staff who cleared time in their calendars to participate in the various activities. We planned this event with your health in mind and hope that the personal benefits and sense of community will outlive the week of events."

The activities and spirit of the week will indeed live on. The collaborative floral-motif piece produced during the Art Therapy Workshop is now on display outside the Student Lounge, adding some wonderful color to the hallway.

Click any image to see a larger version.

Photos (primarily) by Diane Baldwin/RAND Corporation

* Note: According to the Puppy Therapy sign-up sheet: "Interacting with a friendly pet can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins that produce a calming effect and decrease anxiety." Sorry, Professor Meredith; maybe we'll include cats as well next time.