Congratulations to Berggren

Jessica Berggren won an iPad, and Kelly Hall won a pizza party for filling out a student health survey.

The Alcohol and Other Drug Biennial Review is prepared to comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989.

The purpose of this review is to provide Saint Mary’s with an opportunity to assess current student alcohol/drug use and related sanctions, determine the effectiveness and consistency of policies, interventions, programming, and sanction enforcement, and to identify and implement any necessary changes.

Current data and changes in these areas over the last two years will be followed by assessment data and recommendations. About 340 students, or a third of students, filled out the survey. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Flu shots available Tuesday

In coordination with Health Partners and Homeland Health Specialists, Saint Mary's University will again be offering a flu shot clinic on campus from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Saint Mary’s Room 115.

Flu shot clinic is Oct. 22

In coordination with HealthPartners and Homeland Health Specialists, Saint Mary’s will offer a flu shot clinic Oct. 22. Bring your insurance card. The clinic will run 8 a.m. to noon in the faculty and staff lounge, Room 115 of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Flu shot clinic is Oct. 22

In coordination with HealthPartners and Homeland Health Specialists, Saint Mary’s will offer a flu shot clinic Oct. 22. Bring your insurance card. The clinic will run 8 a.m. to noon in the faculty and staff lounge, Room 115 of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Flu shots available Oct. 10

Flu shots are available for all employees and dependents between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in the faculty/staff lounge in Saint Mary’s Hall. The fee is $15 for those not covered by Saint Mary’s BlueLink.

National Depression Screening Day is Oct. 6

National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Wellness Center, Room 9, Toner Student Center.

Students can fill out a short questionnaire and meet briefly with a counselor to assess symptoms of mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar).

Untreated mood symptoms can lead to missed classes, poor performance, social isolation, and other missed opportunities in students’ college careers. Understanding the signs and symptoms of mood issues can assist students to seek treatment that will promote their well-being and enable them to gain maximum benefit from their investment in themselves and a SMU education.

Students can register to win a $100 gift certificate to the SMU bookstore at the screening.

Flu shots available Oct. 10

Flu shots are available for all employees and dependents between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in the faculty/staff lounge in Saint Mary’s Hall. The fee is $15 for those not covered by Saint Mary’s BlueLink.

Grief services offered April 11-15

During the week of April 11-15, Counseling Services in the Wellness Center will continue to offer opportunities to the SMU Community to deal with grief in the aftermath of the death of student Millie Harrison.

• Walk-in counseling appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, April 12 and 13.

• Consultation or counseling appointments may be scheduled by calling Ext. 1773.

• Counselors are available to facilitate group discussions in classes and/or residence halls.

• An Hour of Remembrance will be held on Tuesday, April 12. This evening is particularly directed to community members who have lost other loved ones (parents, grandparents, siblings, friends) in the past year and who wish that loss with other community members. For more details and place and location, please call Ext. 1773.

Discussion group for parents with Katy Smith ends March 23

Counseling Services is partnering with Katy Smith, a licensed parent educator for Winona Public Schools, to offer a noontime discussion series for faculty and staff parents (and grandparents) with children younger than 7.

The discussion will center on the book “Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents” by Christine Carter. A wide array of research studies show that happiness is a learned behavior that we can help our children build and maintain.

The discussion series will begin at 12:15 p.m. in the President’s Room. Participants are invited to bring their own lunches; beverages and desserts will be provided. There is no charge for the series. Discussions will continue on March 23.

Please call Ext. 1773 to indicate your interest in the group or if you would like more information. Participants can come to all sessions or just the ones that fit with their schedules.

Speaker to address college alcohol and drug issues

Mike Alle from Hazelden Center for Youth and Families will address college alcohol and drug issues at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Alle has been a counselor for 29 years and is an international speaker. A question-and-answer period will follow. If there are questions that people would like answered but do not want to ask in front of others, e-mail them to Jason Flanders, AOD Education coordinator/counselor, at jflander@smumn.edu by 2 p.m. today, Friday, March 18. The event is hosted by the Counseling Center.

Discussion group for parents with Katy Smith continues

Counseling Services is partnering with Katy Smith, a licensed parent educator for Winona Public Schools, to offer a noontime discussion series for faculty and staff parents (and grandparents) with children younger than 7. The discussion will center on the book “Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents” by Christine Carter. A wide array of research studies show that happiness is a learned behavior that we can help our children build and maintain.

The discussion series will begin at 12:15 p.m. in the President’s Room. Participants are invited to bring their own lunches; beverages and desserts will be provided. There is no charge for the series. Discussions will continue on Feb. 16, 23 and March 2, 16 and 23. Please call Ext. 1773 to indicate your interest in the group or if you would like more information. Participants can come to all sessions or just the ones that fit with their schedules.

Smith has been working with families, educators, and businesses for more than 25 years, helping to build stronger, more vital communities. She received her B.S.W. and teaching license in Parent Education from Winona State University. She earned her M.E. in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Discussion group for parents starts Feb. 9

Counseling Services is partnering with Katy Smith, a licensed parent educator for Winona Public Schools, to offer a noontime discussion series for faculty and staff parents (and grandparents) with children younger than 7. The discussion will center on the book “Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents” by Christine Carter. A wide array of research studies show that happiness is a learned behavior that we can help our children build and maintain.

The discussion series will begin on Feb. 9 at 12:15 p.m. in the President’s Room. Participants are invited to bring their own lunches, and beverages and desserts will be provided. There is no charge for the series. Discussions will continue on Feb. 16 and 23 and March 2, 16 and 23. Please call Ext. 1773 to indicate your interest in the group or if you would like more information. Participants can come to all sessions or just the ones that fit with their schedules.

Smith has been working with families, educator, and businesses for more than 25 years, helping to build stronger, more vital communities. She received her B.S.W. and teaching license in Parent Education from Winona State University. She earned her M.E. in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Mathews to discuss depressive, bipolar disorders

Dr. Ruth Mathews, staff psychologist in the Wellness Center, will describe depressive and bipolar disorders from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Figliulo Recital Hall. The impact that the disorders have on individuals, their families and the community will be discussed. In addition, the importance of assessment and the roles of psychotherapy, medication management and self-help strategies in addressing these illnesses will be described.

This workshop is cosponsored by Saint Mary’s Wellness Center and Psychology Club, along with Project COMPASS. There is no cost for SMU students, faculty and staff with ID.

Depression Screening to be offered in Wellness Center

Depression Screening will be offered to SMU students and employees from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, which is designated as the 2010 National Depression Screening Day. The location for the screening is the Wellness Center, Room 9, Toner Student Center.

The screening process involves completion of a short screening tool and a confidential consultation with a counselor from SMU Counseling Services. Information and resources concerning depression will be available and SMU counselors will make referrals for further counseling, either on-campus or to an external provider. Participants may register to win gifts, including gift certificates to the Cardinal Corner and the bookstore. Appointments are not needed; walk-ins are welcome.

Depression is a costly condition in terms of academic, social and employment success. The good news is that treatment is available and successful. For further information about depression and other mental health issues, go to www.nimh.nih.gov. For further information about the SMU screening procedure, call Ext. 1773

Gibson offers workshop about public speaking

A workshop, Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking, will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Room 317, Saint Mary's Hall.

While the workshop is especially designed for those taking TA101 Oral Communication, it is open to any student interested in gaining more confidence in presenting in the classroom and other public settings. The presenter will be Ann E. Gibson, Ed. D., director of SMU Counseling Services.

Registration is at the door. For more information, call Ext. 1773 or e-mail agibson@smumn.edu.

Event offers opportunity to remember loved ones

In November we remember in a variety of ways our loved ones who have died and are no longer with us. Students and other SMU community members who are grieving loved ones as the holiday season approaches are invited to an evening of remembrance and thanksgiving at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the Presidents Room.

The program will consist of several opportunities to reflect on and commemorate loved ones through readings, music, and a time for sharing of memories, stories and gratitude for the gift of our loved ones. Handouts that provide suggestions for coping with grief during the holiday season will be available.

The program is sponsored by Campus Ministry and Counseling Services. Contact Ann Gibson at Ext. 1773 or agibson@smumn.edu, or Lynn Streefland at Ext.7329 or lmstreef@smumn.edu for more information.

Weisbrod certified as health and wellness coach

Angel Weisbrod RN- C, MA, Student Health director, has been granted certification as a health coach and wellness coach through Wellcoaches Corporation.

This training and certification, endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine, integrates principles and tools from behavioral psychology, positive psychology, motivational interviewing, social cognitive theory, self-determination theory, constructive development and relational cultural theory and is consistent with the International Coach Federation’s core coaching competencies.

Through this training, the coach assists clients in the development and implementation of personal health and wellness plans, thereby enabling the individual to achieve a high level of health and well-being.

Depression screening available Oct. 20

Depression screening will be offered to SMU students and employees from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Wellness Center.

Participants will have an opportunity to view a video presentation about depression and other mood disorders, complete a short screening inventory, talk privately and confidentially with a counselor from Counseling Services, and receive printed information about mood disorders and resources for treatment.

Depression screening can help participants determine if their symptoms constitute clinical depression and can help direct them to suitable treatment. No appointment is necessary.

Matthews to discuss Depressive, Bipolar Disorders

Dr. Ruth Matthews, staff psychologist in Counseling Services, will describe depressive and bipolar disorders and the impact they have on individuals, their families and the community from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Dr. Matthews will also describe the importance of assessment and the roles of psychotherapy, medication management and self-help strategies in addressing these illnesses.

This workshop is cosponsored by Counseling Services and the Psychology Club, along with Project COMPASS.

There is no cost for SMU students, faculty and staff with ID.

SMU flu shot clinic returns Nov. 13

Saint Mary’s will host a flu shot clinic for employees on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Faculty/Staff Lounge, Room 115, Saint Mary’s Hall. The clinic will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 5 p.m.

Flu shots are free to employees (and their dependents) covered by Saint Mary’s health insurance through CCStpa. The cost for others is $23, which will need to be paid at the time of the shot.