September 13, 2021
Zoom workshop offered to help faculty, staff and students handle stress
The SKY Happiness Retreat, a virtual workshop promoting the mental well-being of students, faculty and staff is coming to SIU Sept. 18-20, courtesy of the Sky@SIUC registered student organization.
Organizers say studies have shown that depression rates have tripled in the United States since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the goal of this 9-hour program is to provide the tools to help participants better handle stress and depression through well-being interventions. The workshops feature evidence-based meditation, emotional intelligence training, stress-management skills presentation, interactive group processes, breath work, experiential learning and more. The training promotes well-being, harmony in diversity, increased energy and focus, enhanced academic performance and improved personal life. A study by Harvard and the University of Arizona found it promotes better sleep quality and stress resilience
Thousands of people attending more than 70 universities across the country have participated in the retreats. This is SIU’s seventh annual retreat. The workshop is conducted in partnership with several other universities and the leaders include trained SIU students and faculty.
The online Zoom live event runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18-19. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20. Partial scholarships are available for participants. Find additional details and registration at bit.ly/skyretreatfall. For more information, email sky.siuc@gmail.com or call 716-238-1046.