Speaker brings mental health message to PSU

In high school and college, Colleen Coffey struggled with eating disorders, anxiety and depression. On Wednesday, April 23, Coffey will bring her message of education and understanding about anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders to students at Pittsburg State University.

Coffey will present “Be Heard: Talking About Mental Health” at 7:30 p.m. in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom of PSU’s Overman Student Center. Her presentation, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Student Prevention & Wellness, University Counseling, University Athletics, Student Health Services, the Residence Hall Assembly, and Admission and Enrollment Services.

Coffee is an entertainer, and an inspirational survivor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Belmont University and an MS in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University, where she served as an associate resident director to the Greek court housing community and an adviser to the college panhellenic council. Coffee currently works full time as the program manager for The Leadership Institute – Women with Purpose, Inc., where she is responsible for instructional design and facilitation.

In her presentations, Coffee encourages students and others to think critically about the stigma that surrounds mental disorders and to reflect on ways to support mental health advocacy in their communities. She attempts to educate them on the quality of life for people with mental disorders and to learn more about a variety of mental health issues.

In addition to her presentation Wednesday evening, Coffee will also give a free staff development workshop from 3-4:40 p.m. that day in the Balkans Room of the student center. Administrators, instructors, support staff, and area professionals are welcome. CEUs for professional counselors are available the Kansas Counseling Association for a $5 charge. Those interested in CEUs should call 620-235-4044 or e-mail cperez@pittstate.edu.

For more information, call J.T. Knoll, Coordinator of Prevention and Wellness, at 620-235-4062, jknoll@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---