{"636016":{"#nid":"636016","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Pilot Course Provides Student Toolkit for Stress Management, Positive Coping Strategies, Thriving and Resilience ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn Fall 2019, School of Biological Sciences lecturer \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/lesley-baradel\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELesley Baradel\u003C\/a\u003E and academic professional \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/christie-stewart\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChristie Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E taught the first section of a \u0026lsquo;Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Strategies for Health and Resilience\u0026rsquo; class. Enrolled students began the course perhaps unsure of just what a class focused on mental health might involve, and completed it with a toolkit for stress management, positive coping strategies, and resilience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe course put the concept of positive mental health at its forefront. Based on themes of positive psychology, coping and resilience strategies, the concepts of happiness and flourishing, and ideas of how to use failure in a positive way, the course sought to inspire students to approach mental health in a way that\u0026rsquo;s similar to how they might work at physical health.\u0026nbsp;In addition, the course discusses the well-being programs and resources students can take advantage of on campus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We started this course based on Georgia Tech data, along with national higher education trends, which demonstrated the need for courses which focused on strategies for managing stress, positive coping, and resilience,\u0026rdquo; says Christie Stewart, who co-taught the class with Lesley Baradel. Both instructors are certified Thriving and Resilience Facilitators through the \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalwellness.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Wellness Institute\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026ldquo;In addition, many students who took our APPH 1040 and 1050 courses provided feedback on their desire to spend more time on topics of mental health, stress management, and resilience.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe course has its teachings based in several resilience focused research studies and literature, such as the concept of happiness based on \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/sonjalyubomirsky.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESonja Lyubomirsky\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026rsquo;s research and \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.johnmaxwell.com\/blog\/failing-forward\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u0026ldquo;Failing Forward\u0026rdquo; by John Maxwell\u003C\/a\u003E. Additionally, the course has integrated \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gallup.com\/cliftonstrengths\/en\/252137\/home.aspx\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECliftonStrengths\u003C\/a\u003E into its framework in partnership with the \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/etd.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEffective Team Dynamics Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E on campus with \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/mary-realff\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMary Lynn Realff\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor and associate chair for undergraduate programs in the \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The initiative helps build a strengths-based culture at Georgia Tech,\u0026rdquo; says Stewart. \u0026ldquo;We used strengths as our language to talk about how we were leveraging our natural talents to develop and support skills for self-care, resilience, and overall well-being.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring the course, students form teams to work at a fundamental question: How do you create a thriving culture at Georgia Tech?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStudents also are assigned journal assignments weekly, where they respond to prompts such as crafting your life purpose, introducing gratitude, and goal setting and positive intentions, as well as responding to readings.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;The course teaches stress management and positivity skills that students can use beyond their years at Tech. Additionally, students who complete the course fulfill Tech\u0026rsquo;s wellness requirement, which is typically met by taking APPH 1050 and 1040 classes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This course gives students the opportunity to reflect on their current levels of well-being and set goals for skills or areas where they might improve overall coping and resilience,\u0026rdquo; says Stewart. \u0026ldquo;This provides a community of support for students to discuss stressors, coping, and how they can develop and improve overall well-being.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStudents who have completed the course also share that the trusting, supportive group dynamics found within it have empowered, educated, and encouraged them to continue to improve facets of their daily lives beyond the semester.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;After our course, students have said they appreciated the opportunity to reflect on what is stressing them out and how they can positively and effectively deal with those stressors,\u0026rdquo; says Stewart. \u0026ldquo;They\u0026rsquo;ve also appreciated the support and helpful discussions they\u0026rsquo;ve been able to have with their classmates. Being able to form bonds with our students and observe them supporting each other is very rewarding.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStewart shares that she is grateful for the support of the \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/honorsprogram.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Honors Program\u003C\/a\u003E for piloting the course. She hopes that future courses will be fully integrated into the broader Georgia Tech course framework, and that positive discussions on mental health will continue to rise across campus. \u0026ldquo;I think one of the most important aspects of our course is the opportunity for in-depth discussions that students have about stress, resilience, and well-being,\u0026rdquo; she adds.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterested in learning more about the course and future classes?\u003C\/strong\u003E Contact \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:christie.stewart@ap.gatech.edu?subject=I\u0027m%20interested%20in%20taking%20APPH%201802%20HP%20this%20fall\u0022\u003EChristie Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E to learn more the second pilot of \u0026quot;APPH 1802 HP: Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Strategies for Health and Resilience\u0026quot;, which will be offered for the Honors Program for fall 2020 semester, and about expanded offerings in 2021.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more\u003C\/strong\u003E about the course on the \u003Ca class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW34097593 BCX1\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/www.honorsprogram.gatech.edu\/content\/apph-1802-hp-thriving-not-just-surviving-strategies-health-and-resilience\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHonors College Website.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELed by Biological Sciences\u0026#39; Lesley Baradel and Christie Stewart, pilot course APPH 1802 shows Tech students how to approach mental health and wellbeing through a new lens.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Led by Biological Sciences\u0027 Lesley Baradel and Christie Stewart, pilot course APPH 1802 shows Tech students how to approach mental health and wellbeing through a new lens."}],"uid":"35185","created_gmt":"2020-06-08 15:42:11","changed_gmt":"2020-06-26 14:12:02","author":"kpietkiewicz3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-06-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-06-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"636015":{"id":"636015","type":"image","title":"Classroom Discussion Photo: Rob Felt","body":null,"created":"1591630492","gmt_created":"2020-06-08 15:34:52","changed":"1591630492","gmt_changed":"2020-06-08 15:34:52","alt":"","file":{"fid":"242009","name":"classroom discussion.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/classroom%20discussion.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/classroom%20discussion.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":444129,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/classroom%20discussion.jpg?itok=6Mby17NT"}},"636017":{"id":"636017","type":"image","title":"Christie Stewart, School of Biological Sciences Academic Professional","body":null,"created":"1591630981","gmt_created":"2020-06-08 15:43:01","changed":"1591630981","gmt_changed":"2020-06-08 15:43:01","alt":"","file":{"fid":"242010","name":"christie stewart.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/christie%20stewart.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/christie%20stewart.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":45167,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/christie%20stewart.jpg?itok=jc_i-BLt"}},"636018":{"id":"636018","type":"image","title":"Lesley Baradel, School of Biological Sciences Lecturer","body":null,"created":"1591631031","gmt_created":"2020-06-08 15:43:51","changed":"1591631031","gmt_changed":"2020-06-08 15:43:51","alt":"","file":{"fid":"242011","name":"lesley baradel.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/lesley%20baradel.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/lesley%20baradel.png","mime":"image\/png","size":107579,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/lesley%20baradel.png?itok=3gcDjaSo"}}},"media_ids":["636015","636017","636018"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/pursuit-happiness","title":"The Pursuit of Happiness: School of Psychology offers one of two Georgia Tech courses on happiness"},{"url":"https:\/\/c.gatech.edu\/COVID19Help","title":"Georgia Tech: Covid-19 Helping Stories"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"398","name":"health"},{"id":"10617","name":"resilience"},{"id":"185034","name":"biologial sciences"},{"id":"185035","name":"pilot course"},{"id":"174453","name":"wellbeing"},{"id":"185036","name":"Clifton Strengths"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGrace Pietkiewicz\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCommunications Assistant\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nkatiegracepz@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["kpietkiewicz3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}