Can Altug
Staff Writer
Originally scheduled to take place last October 10, 2024 Bailey Hall hosted the 2nd Annual Mental Health Symposium on Jan. 22, 2025.
The intent was on breaking the stigma and training its attendees on how to use knowledge and skills taught by experts. Organized by Broward College Workplace Wellness, the event had several speakers with varying levels of expertise and experience.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Julie Radlauer-Doerfler, is an expert in social connection and support having worked with various organizations and companies. Her presentation included quick and short activities that supported social connection at the Bailey Hall.
Furthermore, she talked about her new book CONNECT, 100 Ways to Create Happiness in Your Life: A Guide to Focusing on the Social Influences of Mental Health, which includes around 100 ways to connect and create lasting relationships. She is also the founder and CEO of Collectively, an organization that works with organizations and communities to create mental health solutions that support change.
Following Dr. Radlauer-Doerfler, was NAMI, short for National Alliance on Mental Illness, a national organization with a mission to improve mental health through support, advocacy and education.
By far the most impacting speech at the symposium was by Deborah Sheir, a Program Leader and Mental Health Recovery Coach for NAMI Broward.
For the first time in a public setting, Sheir spoke about her experience dealing with domestic violence, sexual, substance and alcohol abuse, navigating the system for herself and her kids.
Displaying immense bravery and captivating the room, Sheir was the spotlight with all eyes on her and listening carefully. Towards the end of her speech a member of the audience asked her to speak at a recovery center they work at, to which Sheir responded, “I’d be honored.”
After a lunch break, Broward College’s own Owen Blake brought attention to mental health in young men and men in general, with specific focus on the stigma, around the idea that men do not need help or should not talk about their feelings and mental health, a stigma that is reinforced by society as a whole. Blake also had an interactive aspect to his presentation where he had the audience answer questions via their phones.
Although Broward College student participation was not high, the symposium brought people and institutions from all over Florida. With attendance from various different health and mental health related organizations like Barry University Care Center, The Bougainvilla House, Florida Blue Cross, Goodman Jewish Family Services, HumaneK9 Dog Training, NAMI Broward County, Nancy J. Cotterman Center, South Florida Wellness Network and Women in Distress.
The Symposium provided a wide variety of resources both informational and educational with activities like rock painting, vision boards and guided meditations. Separate from the main stage there were also smaller presentations on topics like, Why We Get Angry and What to Do About It and Understanding/Working with Neurodivergent Individuals, diving deeper into why we are the way we are and how to deal with it.
Part of Broward College’s push for Mental Health for students, the Symposium is a place to meet with professionals and like-minded people that every student should attend.
caption: Mental Health Symposium. Photo by Can Altug/The Observer