If your thoughts are scrambled on test days or your relationships are on the rocks, attending the Mental Peak Performance workshops could assist you in your endeavors.
When Susan Whiting, Health and Wellness Center mental health therapist, worked as the wellness director at Snow College, she helped develop a program that would assist people in overcoming thought errors and negative and irrational thoughts that can potentially take a toll on one’s mental health.
The course became popular at Snow College, and soon resident assistants, student body officers and school staff members began attending them as training. Whiting said the goal was to find the most simple and effective ways to approach daily hurdles.
“Life can be much easier than we make it,” Whiting said. “We all have thought errors, and when we don’t realize what they are, then they impede our abilities to be peak performers.”
Whiting retired from Snow College four years ago but agreed to bring her experience to Dixie State College; she knew she could still assist students with the workshops.
Mental Peak Performance workshops are Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. at the DSC Health and Wellness Center, located at 34 N. 600 East. Each week Whiting will cover a new topic, from relationship advice to rational thinking techniques.
Whiting said it is essential for students to attend and take advantage of the free service because many of the lessons will be catered to situations that occur in the college atmosphere.
Being shy is one thing that holds many students back in the early weeks of college. Whiting said this program could help them out, even if they don’t know what is in store.
Whiting said the program can be based on what those in attendance want. During the first workshop, Whiting covered a topic that particularly interested attendees, so they asked if she would emphasize it for the rest of the session. With her experience as a therapist and workshop instructor, she was able to give students what they wanted.
Also, students can either actively take part in discussions, or they can sit and listen. At the workshops, the group will learn skills and techniques that can be used in everyday life, rather than being pressured to talk about their problems. Whiting said group events like this can be intimidating, but students can take what they want from the workshops.
“This program helps in every aspect of my life,” said Crystal Melgar, a junior psychology major from Salt Lake City. “The simpleness of just coming and learning how to breathe and relax is important; I can use the [information learned] before I take a test or when I’m stressed.”
The workshops run for an hour. Whiting said they are taught in an education format—instructor in front giving a lesson—compounded with group participation. Whiting presents material for the first half hour, and the last half hour is dedicated to questions and interaction.
Whiting said students are busy—particularly at the beginning of the year—and attending workshops may seem like an added task on top of classes and homework. The workshops are meant to change the way people look at finances, relationships and careers, and Whiting said taking time to learn the techniques taught can be instrumental to success.
“The hour a week [students] put in here will give them techniques and lessons that make it worth it,” Whiting said.
Those interested can just come to the Health and Wellness Center at the scheduled time. Call the Health and Wellness Center at 435-652-7756 for additional questions about the workshops.
