Counseling and Psychological Services held its second annual Healing Art Exhibition opening reception on February 27 which consisted of 39 students and staff members. Hanging in the hallways of the Counseling Center, artworks ranged from different sizes and mediums including mixed media, acrylic, watercolors, photography and more.

Award winners included:

Simona Loh and Brian Pate are members of the “Hidden Artists” who will be exhibiting artwork at the �鶹ӳ����ý John C. Hitt Library in August-September 2014. This group consists of currently working �鶹ӳ����ý employees who create artwork on their own time.

“Art is a language spoken visually and each viewer can relate to the artwork differently,” said Judy Bragg Pardo, staff member SDES and Healing Art Exhibition participant. “Every artwork I create is a part of me.”

Applications for the show were submitted in November 2013. CAPS teamed up with the School of Visual Arts and Design to host this event to spread awareness of the center and educate students, staff and the community about the power of art and the inspiration of healing personally and professionally. Meredith Malkin, licensed mental health counselor for CAPS curated of the exhibition.

CAPS offers various workshops including “Creative connections.” This workshop is open to all students to enhance self–esteem and build stronger relationships with self and others while utilizing the expressive arts to heal. No art experience is necessary, only trust in the creative process. For more information on other workshops, visit: caps.sdes.ucf.edu.

CAPS is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Healing Art Exhibition mission is to create campuswide awareness of the counseling and psychological services at �鶹ӳ����ý, to increase inclusivity across campus, and to create an open exhibition space and dialogue for creativity, safety, and healing. This year’s first annual theme is “Embracing & Celebrating Differences.”��

Call for Entries close on midnight November 1, 2012.

The Office of Counseling & Psychological Services is in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

At Memory Mall, hundreds of students stopped by the table throughout the day and shared personal and emotional stories of how they had been impacted by someone in their life either contemplating suicide or completing suicide. To them, this exhibit represented hope and healing.

The event was hosted by the Counseling Center in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services. Take a moment to see what the day looked like:

Pet Rescue by Judy, a no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the rescuing, rehabilitating, re-socializing and re-homing of adoptable companion animals provided 20 dogs to students to walk, pet and interact with. Studies show that, when interacting with an animal, it lowers one’s blood pressure and helps that person to relax. It can also help increase socialization and provide companionship.

Veteran Chris O’Connor and his dog Lucas are inspiring examples of how “man’s best friend” can provide a sense of purpose, healing, routine, socialization and companionship for a combat veteran adjusting to student life after being in the military. O’Connor’s adjustment to civilian life was challenging due to his PTSD symptoms, shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injury after being in combat in Iraq. Back in the states, he had no plan. That is when he decided to get a companion, Lucas−an AKC Star Puppy AKC Canine Good Citizen provided by the Patriot Rovers. Around the dog’s neck are the identification tags of a soldier Corporal Kevin “Adam” Lucas who died May 26, 2006 in Iraq. O’Connor says that his dog “changed his life.” He now has a companion that enables him to socialize, go out in public without fear and gives him reason to get up in the morning. He is now successfully finishing his degree in social work and also works as a veteran peer mentor helping other veterans adjust to college life.

Pets for Vets was an event designed to promote the use of animals to de-stress students’ lives, highlight the resources available to them, help veterans adjust to college and civilian life, and promote the adoption of rescued animals from the shelter. Animal assisted therapy, an alternative approach to standard therapy and counseling, is designed to help improve the physical, emotional, social and cognitive functioning in people.

��The interactive activity is sponsored by the �鶹ӳ����ý Veterans Academic Resource Center, �鶹ӳ����ý Counseling Center and Burnett Honors College Honors Educational Reach Out. Also participating in the event will be the �鶹ӳ����ý Anxiety Disorders Clinic, �鶹ӳ����ý Marriage and Family Institute, Canine Companions for Independence, Camaraderie Foundation, Orlando Mobile Vet Center, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Southland Dog Training and the Student Veteran Association.��

Several��Student Development and Enrollment Services departments partnered to host the 2011 Healthy Knights Expo. The event, which promoted health and wellness, was coordinated by the Counseling Center and included representatives from the Recreation & Wellness Center, Health Services, and Wellness & Health Promotions. The departments had a substantial presence outside the Student Union, with a row of tables, activities and games all promoting different resources and information to help students stay healthy. Specific topics included body image, hypertension, flu immunizations, breast cancer, alcohol moderation and sleep.

Along with the Healthy Knights Expo, activities and events were offered throughout the day such as: Nutrition Education at the �鶹ӳ����ý Wellness Center, Simulated Impaired Driving at Memory Mall, Strengths Screening at Ferrell Commons and a Flu Shot Clinic tent outside the Student Union.

“Having this annual event is a great example of how powerful our message is when we all join forces,” said Teresa Michaelson, associate director of Prevention at the Counseling Center and coordinator of the Oct. 12 event. “Students walked away with good information and a better idea of the resources available to them to help them lead healthier lives, not just as a student, but for the rest of their lives.”

The event was well attended with each table estimating more than 250 visitors. For more information, visit: or .

Did you know that in the United States, one person completes suicide every 15 minutes? Did you know that it is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States have been directly affected by a suicide? Or that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-to 24-year-olds?�� Experts believe that most suicidal individuals do not want to die. They just want the pain they are experiencing to end. Experts also know that suicidal crises tend to be brief. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.

Help support suicide prevention on our campus by attending the Field of Memories − Be Aware, Show You Care exhibit on September 7 in Memory Mall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Be Aware Show You Care Flag Exhibit is a powerful and poignant visual display representing the 1000+ suicides that occur on U. S. college campuses each year. Come and personalize a flag to show your support and awareness or honor a memory of someone lost.

In addition, on September 14, the Counseling Center will be offering suicide prevention training during their 5th annual QPR a Thon – Suicide Prevention Training.�� QPR [Question, Persuade, Refer], guided by certified trainers, is a program designed for everyone to learn what can be done to prevent suicide. The training session is a one hour presentation where you will learn the signs of suicide and three basic principles of how to help save a life. QPR is designed for students, faculty and staff at �鶹ӳ����ý. The event will be held in the Student Union, Key West Ballroom AB. The trainings begin at 9 a.m. with a new one starting on the top of each hour. The last training offered will at 4 p.m.

Together everyone can reduce the number of lives shaken by a needless and tragic death. For more information, contact Teresa Michaelson-Chmelir at the Counseling Center at: teresa.michaelson@ucf.edu or call 407.823.2811.

The Counseling Center is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

Ann Marie Hefferin, an 18-year-old freshman from Maitland, was found by roommates in their Lake Claire residence. At about 4 a.m., 911 was called, CPR was performed and emergency units responded immediately. The student was transported to Florida Hospital East at about 4:30 a.m.

�鶹ӳ����ý Police are investigating the death and do not believe there is a threat to the campus community. A cause of death has not been determined, and more information will be released as it��becomes available.

“We lost a member of the university family today,” said �鶹ӳ����ý spokesperson Grant J. Heston. “This is a tragedy and we offer our assistance and most sincere sympathies to her family and friends.”

�鶹ӳ����ý counselors have been made available to the student’s roommates and are available to anyone who needs assistance. �鶹ӳ����ý Counseling Services can be reached at or by calling 407-823-2811.

Counseling services are free for �鶹ӳ����ý students.

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Did you know that in the United States, one person completes suicide every 16 minutes and that it’s the second leading cause of death?�� Did you know that it is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States have been directly affected by a suicide? Or, that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15- to 24-years-olds?

Experts believe that most suicidal individuals do not want to die. They just want to end the pain they are experiencing. Experts also know that suicidal crises tend to be brief. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.

Help support suicide prevention on campus by attending a training session during the 4th annual QPR-a-thon–Suicide Prevention Training. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), guided by certified trainers, is a program designed for everyone to learn what can be done to prevent suicide. The training session is a one-hour presentation where an attendee will learn the signs of suicide and three basic principles of how to help save a life. QPR is designed for students, faculty and staff and anyone at �鶹ӳ����ý.

Together we can reduce the number of lives shaken by a needless and tragic death. Contact Teresa Chmelir at the Counseling Center for more information: tmichael@mail.ucf.edu or 407.823.2811. The Counseling Center is in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

The Life Coaching workshop is to help students live happier, more fulfilling and satisfying lives. Participants will identify areas of their lives that they want to enhance such as personal wellness, academic and career success, and/or relationship development. Participants will then establish specific goals in these areas, learn strategies for achieving their goals, and get motivated to take action toward making their vision a reality.

The workshop is facilitated by Larry Marks, psychologist and life coach, Counseling Center. The six-session workshop will begin soon on Thursdays, 1:30–2:45 p.m. Students must register in advance by calling the �鶹ӳ����ý Counseling Center at 407-823-2811.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Counseling Center is in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.