Joyful Wellness Experience

OCTOBER 7, 2022 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the past few years, we’ve seen the numbers of young adults impacted by mental health conditions on the rise as a result of the global pandemic and more people than ever need help. On Monday, October 10, 2022, at 10:00am ET, in honor of World Mental Health Day, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University present the JOYFUL WELLNESS EXPERIENCE at the Howard University Ira Aldridge Theater, 2455 6th Street, NW, Washington, D.C., to support mental health awareness and education for students.

World Mental Health Day event programming includes messages from BLHF founder, Taraji P. Henson and executive director, Tracie Jade, a yoga session with Be Sweet Dismond, a sound bath by Janáy Jacobs, moments of meditation, and an inspiring message from Dr. James Ballard III. The overall objective of the program is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health on Howard University’s campus. One in four adults experience mental illness every year. The day provides an opportunity for participants to learn about measures they can use to take care of their own mental health and provide support to others too.

“This year it’s more important than ever for us to realize that mental health conditions can affect us all,” states Denise Saunders Thompson, Assistant Dean for Administration of the College of Fine Arts. “We are calling on everyone to join together to increase awareness, empathy and compassion and create a community that cares and supports one another.”

The event is part of a larger College of Fine Arts initiative, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: HEALTH PASSION LIFE funded by the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation that will provide students of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts with two months support from clinical practitioners with intentional focus placed on social-emotional health and wellness. The program’s intention is to help students and faculty/staff better identify and articulate their challenges and to develop and implement strategies that will best assist them perform at an optimal level personally and professionally.

Learn more by visiting the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts website finearts.howard.edu.