Cerritos College’s mental health services manager, Angela Williams, hosted the first Journaling for Wellbeing workshop of the fall semester in the library’s Success Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 19.
Williams, who also is a licensed clinical social worker and a therapist at Cerritos College, started this workshop to have students develop a coping strategy through journaling.
“We wanted to give students an opportunity to create their own journal and do something interactive, while also learning a little bit more about strategies for coping and to support that,” Williams said.
Damanpreet Rai, a master of social work practicum student who also provides therapy at Cerritos College, assisted Williams in hosting this workshop.
Rai also sees journaling as a great coping skill. “I don’t think people really consider how journaling can be a great coping skill,” she said.
“I’m just here to promote that to students at Cerritos College because it’s a really great way to de-stress at the end of the day,” Rai added.
Only one student attended the workshop, however, Williams and Rai proceeded with what they planned on doing had more students attended.
The student who did attend was engaged in the activities, but did not want to make a comment in the story.
During the workshop, students who attended would be given a journal – along with other supplies like a mood tracker, a habit tracker, stickers with self-positive messages and a card that showed the campus resources.
After handing out the supplies to the student, Williams gave a short presentation where they gave tips on journaling which showed different journal styles and explained the benefits of journaling.
Students who attended would then use the supplies given to start decorating their journals and make them fit the style of the individual.
The creativity that can come about while working on a journal makes it feel less like a grudging task, according to Williams.
Rai and Williams also took part in the activity to demonstrate how to journal by creating their own alongside the student.
As they worked on their journals – whether they were writing in them or decorating them, peaceful music was played to set the tone of the workshop.
Williams and Rai successfully created an environment in which the student felt free to share their struggles with mental health among the people in attendance without feeling shamed or judged.
Rai highlighted how the interactions a student might have during this workshop can encourage them to continue with journaling, even if it’s just a small journaling session.
“I know it’s hard to do something consistently every day, but even if you do it for a minute or two – even once a week it could be a really good coping skill,” Rai said.
Even though this first workshop didn’t bring many participants, Williams and Rai will continue to hold this workshop throughout the academic year.
“I hope we can get more students to come out – experience journaling and learn more about it, because I feel like a lot of people don’t know how great it could be for them,” Rai said.
The Journaling for Wellbeing workshop was started last academic school year and will be held three more times this academic year – Nov. 21, Jan.16 and April 17.
