Sedona AZ (April 14, 2018) – Mental Health Monday, a regular monthly program of the Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley, will focus on “The Connection: Meaning, Happiness and Mental Well-Being” on Monday, April 30, 10AM-11:30AM at Yavapai College, 4215 ArtsVillage Dr., Sedona. The program is free and open to the public and is a partnership with OLLI.
According to Carol Landauer, LPC, Board Member of the Coalition and leader of this program, “Traditional psychology focuses on dysfunction, disorder, mental illness, and treatment. In contrast, this more positive perspective explores paths to meaning and happiness that enable us to minimize negative and disabling symptoms in order not only to survive life but to thrive.”
The program will include viewing a video, “The Evolution and Practice of Compassion” where Professor Dacher Keltner explores a cross-cultural view of happiness—and the latest science on its benefits; the role of positive emotions like compassion, gratitude, and awe; stress‐reduction practices such as narrative and mindfulness to nurture health and happiness.
Dacher Keltner is a full professor at UC Berkeley, director of the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab, and faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center. Dacher’s research focuses on the biological and evolutionary origins of compassion, awe, love, beauty, emotional expression, power, social class, and inequality. He is the coauthor of two textbooks, as well as the bestselling Born to Be Good and the forthcoming The Power Paradox. He has published over 190 scientific articles; has written for the New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, and Utne Reader; and has received numerous national prizes and grants for his research.
Following the video, Landauer will facilitate the community conversation about paths people follow to find happiness, nurture emotions of compassion and awe, and building the resiliency to manage the spectrum of life’s challenges.
The Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley is a 501C3 non-profit all volunteer organization dedicated to building support and eliminating the stigma for individuals and families challenged by mental health issues through education, outreach, advocacy, community conversations and support services. For information, 649-0135 or blitrell@aol.com.
