Lemme Take a Selfie: Harnessing the Power of the Internet to Decrease Stigma Related to Mental Health

[mozfest-bot]

[ UUID ] 8bb2d4cc-e014-443f-b7ad-f42aacbb5b40

[ Session Name ] Lemme Take a Selfie: Harnessing the Power of the Internet to Decrease Stigma Related to Mental Health [ Primary Space ] Digital Inclusion

[ Submitter's Name ] Michele Kerulis [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] Counseling@Northwestern, The Family Institute at Northwestern University

What will happen in your session?

Finding peace and balance, the pillars of wellness, is challenging in a world filled with instability, injustice, and insensitivity. People want to feel well but oftentimes are afraid to ask for help due to the stigma related to seeking counseling. Many believe they will be judged for expressing feelings like depression or loneliness. Technologically based cultural phenomena like selfie journals or becoming part of a positive online community can help people understand that experiencing a variety of emotions is normal and there is positive support available. Counselors harnesses the power of the internet through use of online counseling and other media to bring the reality of happiness and wellness into the lives of people all over the world.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

The goal of this session is to continue to decrease the stigma related to discussing mental health issues by utilizing cultural phenomena like selfies, use of the internet, and online support in ways that decrease illness and increase wellness. Attendees will learn the basics about the world of counseling from a developmental perspective and hear about ways that pop culture and technology can help and harm people's perceptions of mental health and counseling. Together we will create a hashtag to remind us to keep the conversation moving around the world.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

Please provide a projector. Thank you.

Time needed

90 mins

[sedgwickkm]

Thanks for the submission, de-stigmatising mental health is a really important issue, unfortunately we're not going to be able to include your session in the Digital Inclusion space this year. I'm removing the milestone to allow other spaces in the festival to consider the session.

[mozfest-bot]

Thank you for taking the time to submit a session to MozFest. Due to the high level of submissions, we’re unable to accept all proposals and unfortunately, your session was not part of the final group.

Thank you for taking the time to submit and we will follow up on email very soon.