The Center for Mind-Body Medicine from Massachusetts General Hospital shared its behavioral health expertise with School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) students and community members on September 29. The event was open to all FCHC Scholars and focused on secondary traumatic stress and reliance. Hands-on strategies were provided to attendees such as meditation work as well as learning how to utilize Biodots as a stress management tool.

 The event sought to support FCHC scholars in supplemental education as they pursue their master’s in one of the behavioral health master’s programs at Fairfield and are in the final year of their internship experience.

 “It’s such a gift to be able to gather together on campus and have the opportunity to learn with and from each other. It’s such an important topic and we are teaching our students that caring for themselves is a really important part of sustainability within our practice,” said Julie Berrett Abebe, assistant professor of social work, project director of Fairfield Collaborates for a Healthier Connecticut (FCHC) Scholars program.

 All graduate behavioral health internships follow a team-based model of integrated care within the community. Internship supervisors and Fairfield’s SEHD faculty were also in attendance at the event.

 Participants of the FCHC Scholars program attend monthly educational meetings and specialized training which help them understand different perspectives on caring for vulnerable populations

 SEHD stakeholders plan on holding additional speaker events for the FCHC Scholar’s program and continue to move in the direction of engagement within the local community. More information on community partners and the FCHC Scholars Program can be found on the FCHC Scholars Program page.