ROUND OUNDUP UP www.theroundupnews.com
Woodland Hills, California
Volume 132 - Issue 2
A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
Choosing to live Monica Coleman shares her struggle with mental illness in Speaker Series BY ELIZABETH DOWELL As a young adult, Monica Coleman drew an imaginary line in the sand. To cope with her mental illness, she viewed checking into a mental hospital as the threshold she would never cross. But, in the midst of a mental health crisis, Coleman finally took action. It was the best decision she ever made. “I felt like the only thing between me and not being alive was this line, and I chose life,” Coleman said. In one of her most recent books, “Bipolar Faith,” Coelman talks about her struggles with depression and becoming mentally and spiritually balanced. Coelman began her speech by asking students, “Who likes to win and who likes to lose?”
“I felt like the only thing between me and not being alive was this line, and I chose life.” —Monica Coleman The audience responded with enthusiasm for winning, but Coleman’s question had a deeper meaning. She explained how “winning is good” because society has taught that failure is looked down upon. “I didn’t want to lose, and I didn’t know how to lose,” Coleman said. She was afraid of losing her mind. When she was feeling suicidal, Coleman’s friend Connie suggested she seek help. “I trusted Connie, so I went and got help,” Coleman said. Coleman received professional counseling and later went back to school. Now, she’s a professor of African American studies at the University of Delaware and goes on college tours to promote mental health awareness. She ended her speech by advising students to “show up” to receive counseling even if students “are afraid.” “Be present, ready for something to find you and to break you open into what may be a great experience in your life,” Coleman said. “Show up, have that person that you trust. Know it’s okay to rest so you can heal and stay in the race.” Brianna Randall attended the event and felt a connection with Coleman’s experiences with
Coronavirus Photo illustration by Kevin Lendio.
LACCD discusses ways to deal with COVID-19 Katya Castillo / Roundup Monica Coleman signs copies of her book "Bipolar Faith" after speaking in the Great Hall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2020.
“mental illness.” “The event was really eye opening,” Randall said. “If Pierce continues to put on more speaking events like this, more students would feel comfortable and willing to get help.” Taya Mims, a student who spoke to the audience about her own mental health struggles, expressed how this experience helped her find her voice and inspire her peers to seek help for themselves. “I thought it was very liberating for everybody and
myself,” Mims said. “I got to express my own struggles with education and having a disability. Today was magical and spiritual and I really appreciated that we got to do this event.” Fernando Oleas, Chair of Modern Language Department, wanted to inform students on how to manage mental health issues as they navigate their way through school and life’s challenges. That’s when Oleas began trying to get Coleman to present on campus, which he achieved. “I was pleased to see that
students packed the room and were enthusiastic about this speaker event with Monica,” Olesa said. Students at the presentation learned the resources Pierce offers on campus, like free individual counseling sessions that are 45 minutes long and group counseling at the Student Health Center. “We want [students] to be successful, so let’s talk about it,” Oleas said. “Now students are aware of these services that can edowell.roundupnews@gmail.com
Voting center on campus [see more on NEWS]
BY PAOLA CASTILLO At least 43 cases of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) in the United States have been confirmed as of March 2. Several of those infected are in California, prompting a response from the Los Angeles Community College District. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is a strand of the Coronavirus and a respiratory disease. The key symptoms are fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. After exposure, symptoms can occur after two days and can take as long as two weeks of exposure. There is no treatment or vaccine available for COVID-19 LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez released a statement on March 2 reassuring the district that they are aware of the virus and are taking preventative measures. He said the cases in California are expected to rise but no campus closures have been ordered. There have been no confirmed or suspected cases of the virus on the Pierce College campus. Distant Education Coordinator Wendy Bass hasn’t been contacted about contingency plans to transition classes online. She said the switch wouldn’t be as easy as expected. “Basically, any course that becomes a hybrid or goes online has to have the [Distant Education Addendum] because it talks about how they're going to meet their objectives online,” Bass said. Nurse Practitioner Kira Shteyman said the district pandemic policy has not been enacted, but there is a
plan in place if a student or faculty is suspected of having the virus. She said students or faculty should call the health center if they suspect they are sick or have come into contact with the virus. In the statement released by Rodriguez, he said there has been no recommendation for healthy people to wear masks. “The use of masks is a personal choice and generally reserved for people who are sick and for healthcare workers treating the ill,” Rodriguez said. Shteyman said those who are more at risk are those who are immunocompromised, older or have a history of respiratory disease. Pierce College President Alexis Montevirgen said LACCD presidents are discussing the best ways to be prepared. “Just yesterday I was on a teleconference call with all of the [LACCD] presidents along with the chancellor just to strategize and make sure that, at a district level we have a uniform response, and that we’re preparing and making sure that we’re supplied with all the different necessities that we need, for example, alcohol-based hand sanitizers.” Rodriguez ended his statement by encouraging the readers to stay informed and to not blame anyone for the virus. “It is important for everyone to stay informed with official information and not to overreact. Stigmatizing or blaming anyone, or any race, because of this situation is disrespectful and simply untrue, and will not be tolerated,” said Rodriguez. pcastillo.roundupnews@gmail.com