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A Comedic Approach to Wellness
Episcopal’s Healthy Choices Speaker Series brings knowledgeable speakers to campus as one of the many ways the School engages students in important conversations and helps them to develop skills to support all dimensions of their well-being. In October, Dr. Matt Bellace returned to Episcopal to deliver a captivating and insightful speech on natural highs, emotional resilience, and mental health as the first Healthy Choices speaker of the year as the first Healthy Choices speaker of the year.
As a stand-up comedian with a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, Bellace utilizes techniques that keep the audience laughing, entertained, and fully engaged as they come away with valuable information to help them thrive. Drawing on research, Bellace emphasized the impact of a supportive network in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-injury, and suicidality, stressing the immense influence these relationships hold over mental well-being. Reminding students that they each have an important role to play in supporting our community, he asked that they always consider “is this good for the community?” before posting or saying anything and remember to not only lean on others but also to be someone who can be leaned upon.
In addressing how individuals choose how we deal with adversity, Bellace said, “We can choose unhealthy behaviors to numb ourselves to the pain or discomfort, which can become a lifelong habit, or we can get the ‘full benefit’ of that situation by learning from it and using it to motivate us.” Designated “a rare find” by Wellness Coordinator Emily Straight, Bellace strives to empower students to be leaders in their own lives and to make changes in their environment.
In March, Episcopal will welcome nationally renowned health educator and author Shafia Zaloom who will speak about healthy relationships and making decisions that honor one’s integrity.
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As a stand-up comedian with a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, Bellace utilizes techniques that keep the audience laughing, entertained, and fully engaged as they come away with valuable information to help them thrive. Drawing on research, Bellace emphasized the impact of a supportive network in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-injury, and suicidality, stressing the immense influence these relationships hold over mental well-being. Reminding students that they each have an important role to play in supporting our community, he asked that they always consider “is this good for the community?” before posting or saying anything and remember to not only lean on others but also to be someone who can be leaned upon.
In addressing how individuals choose how we deal with adversity, Bellace said, “We can choose unhealthy behaviors to numb ourselves to the pain or discomfort, which can become a lifelong habit, or we can get the ‘full benefit’ of that situation by learning from it and using it to motivate us.” Designated “a rare find” by Wellness Coordinator Emily Straight, Bellace strives to empower students to be leaders in their own lives and to make changes in their environment.
In March, Episcopal will welcome nationally renowned health educator and author Shafia Zaloom who will speak about healthy relationships and making decisions that honor one’s integrity.
