2. OVERVIEW
The author and psychotherapist Richard Carlson
said, “stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form
of mental illness”.
According to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation, one
in four people in Britain are stressed every day. For those
working or studying in formal education, this is probably not
surprising.
But despite what newspapers might tell us, stress isn‟t all
bad, and it‟s up to us to find the right balance.
Bringing together science and common sense, this workshop
aims to give students and staff a deeper understanding of
stress, a methodology for identifying when stress becomes
too much, and practical techniques for finding balance in a
world that often seems to have other plans for us.
3. FEATURING
• What is stress? The good, the bad, and the ugly.
• An introduction to the chemistry and biology of stress.
• Who knows best? Exploring how stress and wellbeing are
portrayed in academia and in the media.
• Ancient wisdom: what do Buddha, Nietzsche, and the
chimpanzee have to teach us?
• Stress & Resilience: models of wellbeing, including a look at
Flow and Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Needs.
• An experiential introduction to Mindfulness and CBT
• Bring it all together: how to build a personal stress
management strategy.
• The social context: a look at what students are doing to
tackle stress, and how we can help others to look after
themselves.
4. FACILITATOR
Ed Pinkney has spent the past five working to
improve mental health on university campuses.
As a student, in 2008, he setup a mental health society and in
2010, launched a national charity with the aim of „bringing
mental health out of the shadows on campuses‟.
Ed has run dozens of campaigns and events aimed at creating
greater openness around mental health. He has given talks and
workshops on mental health & wellbeing in
schools, universities, and for the NHS. In 2013 he led NUS-USI‟s
mental health project, delivering OCN accredited stress
management workshops to students across Northern Ireland.
Ed has a degree in Philosophy and Management, and has
received postgraduate qualifications in counselling and positive
psychology. He has explored eastern practices, studying
meditation under Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and yoga in India
under Hindu yogi Pujya Swamiji.
5. DETAILS
Sessions are ideally suited to between 2 and 4
hours, although shorter or longer sessions can be designed.
Costs and requirements will depend upon the
length, location, and audience. Travel expenses will be
expected.
For enquiries please visit www.edwardpinkney.com
* Please note, this workshop is not designed for people who feel very
vulnerable at the moment, or currently have serious mental health
problems. People fitting this description are advised to consult with their
GP or specialist.
