{"id":128556,"date":"2021-05-07T00:16:59","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T04:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=128556"},"modified":"2021-05-07T00:19:18","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T04:19:18","slug":"128556-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/128556-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Noel Howell joins Antiguan students in raising awareness on \u2018Mental Health\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On April 22, 2021, the Antigua and Barbuda Student Association of Jamaica (ABSAJAM<\/strong>) collaborated with Dr. Noel Howell <\/strong>to host a virtual mental health forum entitled \u2018Stress Free\u2019<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>

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ABSAJAM<\/strong> is a non-profit student organisation which facilitates and assists Antiguan students studying the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, to have a smooth transition into university life. Before COVID-19, the association would often host forums and fund-raising events on campus.<\/p>\n

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Recording artiste and Vice President (2020-2021)<\/em> of the association, Jamal Gordon<\/strong>, suggests that the mental health of many students have been placed on the backburner during the global pandemic and urges all to take the matter seriously. \u201cWhile many know me as an artiste, I\u2019m also a law student and I personally go crazy at some points in the semester due to the workload, so I figured this would be a relatable topic for most<\/em>\u201d he said.<\/p>

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Dr. Howell<\/strong> is most famous for his hilarious appearance on Judge Judy, but is also an Antiguan filmmaker and medical practitioner. His presentation at the forum focused on trends which teenagers and young adults often indulge in which endanger mental health; alcoholism, self-harm, and substance abuse to name a few. Howell<\/strong> also highlighted the rise of suicide among young adults and suggests that these may be possible reasons why.<\/p>

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\u201cThese presenters are all students\u2019\u2019, <\/em>the filmmaker pointed out. \u201cI am happy to see young people come together to take up the mantle and organize an event as impactful as this\u2019\u2019<\/em>, he exclaimed, \u201cthis is why we need to continue to support our youth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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Jamal Gordon<\/strong> spoke on anxiety, its impact on students, and possible methods of alleviation. \u201cWhether you\u2019re a systematic studier or a procrastinator, pre-exam anxiety, like Thanos, is inevitable\u201d<\/em> the aspiring lawyer exclaimed. He suggested that individuals studying during this pandemic observe three things to ensure academic success during the pandemic \u2013 time allocation, time management and consistency. \u201cThat\u2019s basically the formula\u2019\u2019<\/em> he claims.<\/p>

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Given his lifelong aspirations in music as well, it\u2019s no surprise that the young artiste also asserted that listening to music is a great coping mechanism when stressed, and invited the audience to stream his recent dancehall hit single; \u2018Shameless\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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