UPEI is excited to welcome Alicia Raimundo, for a TEDxTalk on mental health in support of Mental Health Week 2014, on Tuesday March 11 at 1:30 pm in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Alicia Raimundo has been described as a “mental health superhero,” battling serious bouts of anxiety, depression, and a suicide attempt since the age of 13. More recently, she used her move to the University of Waterloo as a catalyst to seek help, and eventually, to help others living with mental health issues. By the age of 24, she had earned a university degree, given a TEDxTalk, was named one of 2012 “faces of mental illness,” became the Canadian ambassador for the Young Health Program, and held positions in more than six mental health organizations.

Different cultures perceive mental health in different ways. Some attach negative stigma to the challenges of mental health, and as a result, early intervention and treatment is delayed. Certainly, these kinds of cultural barriers remain as significant challenges to mental health. Join in a facilitated workshop led and staff from UPEI’s International Relations Office. The workshop will explore cultural barriers that negatively affect issues related to mental health and cultural assets that can be used to openly discuss about these issues.

Join students, staff, and faculty for a discussion on personal experiences with mental health related illnesses, as the wrap-up to Mental Health Week 2014. This is a safe and open environment for discussion and sharing. Refreshments will be served.

We are hosting a youth entrepreneurship summit, YES Atlantic on March 13 & 14 in Fredericton. We want to engage students from various fields of study from across Atlantic Canada. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pond-Deshpande-Student-Ambassadors/273969... Twitter: @SAP_PDC https://twitter.com/SAP_PDC Website: www.yes-atlantic.com

The University of Prince Edward Island invites the community to the installation of the University’s eighth Chancellor, Dr. Don McDougall on Sunday, March 30 at 2:00 pm in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. A reception will immediately follow in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building. McDougall is an alumnus, donor, and a UPEI honorary degree recipient and was unanimously elected for a four-year term beginning in 2014. He and his wife Marion currently reside in Stratford, Ontario, and they also have a summer residence in Ebbsfleet, PEI. McDougall replaces the University’s seventh chancellor William E. “Bill” Andrew. Please RSVP by March 19 to Rebecca Gass at (902) 566-0949 or to communications@upei.ca. Parking will be available in gated lot B, C, and RP.

Begin Lent with the celebration of the Mass on campus.

Join others in a prayerful moment to begin Lent 2014.

A short conference entitled “My Island, My Heart” will take place March 14, 1:00-3:00 pm, at UPEI’s Chaplaincy Centre. The conference, led by UPEI arts student Faith Robinson, focuses on three themes—island fragility, island sustainability, and island community. Special guest speakers include: Deirdre Kessler, writer and UPEI professor; Laurie Brinklow, accomplished poet and UPEI professor; and Millefiore Clarkes, filmmaker to name a few. A short docu-film Island Green, about organic farming on PEI, will also be featured as part of the conference. Today, it is more important than ever to realize the limitations and magnificence of our environment, so keenly felt by Islanders worldwide. It is crucial that we not forget the roots from which we ourselves grow, to envision a better future. For more information on the conference, contact Faith Robinson at frobinson@upei.ca. Admission is free, and snacks and beverages will be provided. All are welcome to attend.

SPEAKER: Sarah McConnachie, Pathology and Microbiology TITLE: Retention and viability of microsporidial (Loma salmonae) spores within the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis): use of an established experimental laboratory model probing pathogen transfer within an integrated multitrophic aquaculture setting (IMTA)

Do you need support in your qualitative research project? Looking to connect and share ideas with other researchers on campus? We can help! Young Lives Research and its UPEI Qualitative Research Lab is offering informal workshops for qualitative researchers across campus. You're invited to meet with other qualitative researchers from various departments/disciplines to share your research ideas and methods, talk about particular challenges you have faced, and help build a qualitative research community here at UPEI. The forum is open to anyone on campus, student, staff, or faculty who conducts qualitative research and wishes to share/hear about experiences of members of the qualitative research community. Informal workshops will be held on Fridays once a month from 2:00-4:00 pm. The first forum will take place on March 14 in Dalton Hall, Room 414. For more information, please email cyct@upei.ca