Tonight the Lilly Conference Online session I watched was “Beneath the Mask: Addressing Student Mental and Physical Challenges” by Randy Kohlenberg, Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Kohlenberg is a Professor of Music and certified in wellness. “Beneath the Mask” refers to “university students … experiencing mental health challenges.” Kohlenberg described the use of positive psychology as a strategy to cope with anxiety. They described anxiety and lack of motivation that may result in the inability to complete coursework. The first step that Kohlenberg took was a roundtable discussion that revealed a lack of involvement in digital meeting rooms. A second theme was the discomfort of students in personal situations online. Loss of physical stamina and overeating have resulted in physical and motivation challenges. Loneliness was another theme from the focus groups. The presenter also suggested positive psychology to emphasize hope, wisdom and courage.” Empowered questions are simple, begin with what or how, and are used to “invite students to ponder… and awaken.” Kohlenberg spoke about professional counseling is important, but “as an emergency measure” faculty members can impact students through positive psychology. This session provided useful tips, yet I was also drawn by how clear and humble Kohlenberg was. It made the information and strategies even more appealing and intriguing. Empowered questions are a tool I would consider learning more about and implementing.
