Speaker uses life struggles to help students
Krystel Pakitsos
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Front Page
The subjects of mental health and mental disorders were discussed from a personal perspective on Wednesday night when Colleen Coffey, who's been diagnosed with three types of mental disorders, spoke to a full crowd of PSU students and faculty in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom.
"We're very fortunate to have Colleen here," said J.T. Knoll, prevention and wellness coordinator. "Colleen's got a sense of experience not only in her own struggle with issues around anxiety, depression and eating disorders, but she's got a sense of experience in college, in sororities and with the whole Pan-Hellenic system. Her involvement in mental health education is truly her greatest passion."
Coffey gave a presentation titled "Be Heard: Talking About Mental Health," in which she discussed many issues dealing with mental health and mental disorders, which, she explained, are two different things.
"Mental disorders are diagnosable issues of the mind," Coffey said. "Mental health issues are affected by things like a lack of sleep, stress, a lack of balance in life, or being sad because of a breakup or a bad grade on a test. You don't have to have a mental disorder to have issues with mental health."
Coffey discussed different periods of her life and experiences with her diagnoses of depression, anxiety and Anorexia Nervosa. She put emphasis on the issue of stigma, or "not wanting people to know that you are suffering."
"I know what it's like to be so scared that I can't leave my house," Coffey said. "I know what its like to be so sad that I don't want to get out of bed. And I know what's its like to be so preoccupied by food and exercise that I don't really live life. What I also know is that research tells us that the way in which we reduce stigma is by telling personal stories."
Coffey encouraged those who questioned whether they have a mental disorder to seek help. She also urged friends of people with mental disorders to encourage them to seek help. She did this by using real examples from her life.
"I think she did a really good job," said Ashley Hovermale, sophomore in communication. "Even though she went through a lot, it didn't hold her back from doing anything."
Coffey is now a full-time program manager for the leadership institute, "Women With a Purpose," and has been a member of the Association of Fraternity Advisors for five years. She is also a volunteering member of the Virtual Seminars Series.
Coffey has also been a member of "The Heard," the national mental health awareness campaign speakers bureau, for two years. She recently published the first book ever on sorority recruitment, "I Heart Recruitment: The Eight Steps to Limitless Possibility for Sororities," and says she is committed to challenging the stigma that surrounds mental disorders.
"I work for housing and I see a lot of these cases daily," said Jason Wright, senior in elementary education. "She was a phenomenal speaker. She has a lot of experience and I'm really happy she came."
"We're very fortunate to have Colleen here," said J.T. Knoll, prevention and wellness coordinator. "Colleen's got a sense of experience not only in her own struggle with issues around anxiety, depression and eating disorders, but she's got a sense of experience in college, in sororities and with the whole Pan-Hellenic system. Her involvement in mental health education is truly her greatest passion."
Coffey gave a presentation titled "Be Heard: Talking About Mental Health," in which she discussed many issues dealing with mental health and mental disorders, which, she explained, are two different things.
"Mental disorders are diagnosable issues of the mind," Coffey said. "Mental health issues are affected by things like a lack of sleep, stress, a lack of balance in life, or being sad because of a breakup or a bad grade on a test. You don't have to have a mental disorder to have issues with mental health."
Coffey discussed different periods of her life and experiences with her diagnoses of depression, anxiety and Anorexia Nervosa. She put emphasis on the issue of stigma, or "not wanting people to know that you are suffering."
"I know what it's like to be so scared that I can't leave my house," Coffey said. "I know what its like to be so sad that I don't want to get out of bed. And I know what's its like to be so preoccupied by food and exercise that I don't really live life. What I also know is that research tells us that the way in which we reduce stigma is by telling personal stories."
Coffey encouraged those who questioned whether they have a mental disorder to seek help. She also urged friends of people with mental disorders to encourage them to seek help. She did this by using real examples from her life.
"I think she did a really good job," said Ashley Hovermale, sophomore in communication. "Even though she went through a lot, it didn't hold her back from doing anything."
Coffey is now a full-time program manager for the leadership institute, "Women With a Purpose," and has been a member of the Association of Fraternity Advisors for five years. She is also a volunteering member of the Virtual Seminars Series.
Coffey has also been a member of "The Heard," the national mental health awareness campaign speakers bureau, for two years. She recently published the first book ever on sorority recruitment, "I Heart Recruitment: The Eight Steps to Limitless Possibility for Sororities," and says she is committed to challenging the stigma that surrounds mental disorders.
"I work for housing and I see a lot of these cases daily," said Jason Wright, senior in elementary education. "She was a phenomenal speaker. She has a lot of experience and I'm really happy she came."
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