The thoughtful round-table discussion on the Mount Carmel Campus featured guest speakers Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo, a Quinnipiac alumna who will receive her Doctorate as a Nurse Practitioner in May 2024; and Rosetta Washington, a licensed master's-level social worker and Quinnipiac Master of Social Work program field educator.

Assistant Director of Inclusive Excellence Briona Grant welcomed a mix of Bobcat students, staff and faculty joining Mayo and Washington in the Echlin Center on March 26.

Garvin Mayo is CEO and founder of Collaborative Cancer Care and chairs the Connecticut Cancer Partner Survivorship Board. Additionally, she serves as an Advisory Board member for AnCan, Bexa Equity Alliance and TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. Garvin Mayo is a former president of the Central Connecticut Nursing Society and currently serves as director-at-large. On March 26, the talented alumna graciously shared several relevant messages and methods highlighted in her book, SHAPE Your Life: 5-Step Blueprint for Sustainable Stress Management.  

With a blend of experience including her work for nonprofit organizations; as a research consultant on various projects related to women of color and breast cancer; and as a private practitioner providing clinical psychotherapy services, Washington brought her passion for serving all ages through social work, advocacy and research. Washington is also the founder of Wholesome Approach, a multidimensional consultation business designed to offer holistic options to mental health, wellbeing and beauty-related concerns. Through her business, Washington seeks to empower and educate women while bridging the gap between wellness and beauty.

“With our two incredible guest speakers, we envision this as being a fruitful and honest dialogue as we talk about the intersections of women’s physical and mental health,” said Grant.

Garvin Mayo said she thinks about health and wellness in two ways.

“Health is really the goal. You want to be healthy, without disease, without trauma. You want to be balanced,” said Garvin Mayo. “I think of wellness as the actions that you take in your life, what you do in order to maintain your health.”

Garvin Mayo asked participants to think of the eight dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, occupational, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, financial; and ask themselves if they were “thriving or surviving.”

“Many times, we get so caught up in our day-to-day that we almost forget about ourselves. We forget about our wellness and our health because we’re working, we have school work, we have kids; life happens,” Garvin Mayo said. “I think events like this are a time to take a step back and really consider where are you, mentally and physically. I’m really glad we’re having this conversation today.”

Washington said taking personal stock of the eight dimensions of wellness often is a valuable assessment tool to support women’s health and wellbeing.

“We need to figure out ways that we can address these things. Because any situation somewhere is going to fall into one of these domains; so it’s good to be aware and have an outlet,” said Washington.

As primary caregivers for their families and/or as women facing the hurdles of societal and career pressures, women carry a mental load that can impact their health and wellbeing. Washington recommended finding a person, coach, mentor or professional who can listen and provide input to help to process and cope with mental health stressors.

The conversation also prompted questions from participants, who took away valuable advice from the experts. Reducing screentime, not answering every phone call, understanding the dynamics of personal relationships, connecting with community, advocating for themselves and taking time for self-care were just some of the topics Garvin Mayo and Washington touched on to provide attendees with information, support and encouragement.

“The bottom line here is that we don’t have to do life by ourselves, but we have to do it,” said Garvin Mayo. “We have to do it being healthy mentally and physically, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we’re doing it that way.”