WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

UCF students rally together to break the stigma of mental illness

On the week of March 24th through March 28th, advocacy groups on campus including VOX:
Voices for Planned Parenthood at UCF, NOW: National Organization for Women at UCF,
College Democrats at UCF and To Write Love On Her Arms at UCF will be collaborating on a
project that aims to bring awareness to women's mental health issues in the United States.

When health care is discussed in the United States, it is talked about in terms of doctor's
visits, x-rays and surgeries. According to the Centers for Disease Control, women are more
likely to go undiagnosed for autism, ADD and depression in the United States.

"We don't talk about it," commented Kayla Cayasso, UCF student and former College
Democrats Black Caucus Representative.. "We don't talk about mental illness at all,
especially in women. We act like it's not there and try to push the problem away, and then
we freak out when it doesn't go away. Now is the time to break the stigma, because women
deserve better."

The day-by-day schedule is as followed:
March 24th, Monday: A Knight of Hope - Stories through Art, a Benefit for To
Write Love On Her Arms at UCF. Located in Nicholson School of
Communication, room 101. Doors open at 7PM. It will be an open-mic for
UCF students to perform and share their art.
March 25th, Tuesday: Self-Care Selfies photo campaign. Located at the
Reflection Pond from 10AM-2PM. Participants will discuss how they relax
and de-stress and help spread the word about the importance of self-care.
March 26th, Wednesday: Women's Mental Health Panel. Located in Visual
Arts Building, room 111 at 8PM to 9:30PM. UCF women will be commenting
on their experiences with mental health services and discussing the need for
better facilities dealing with mental illness.
March 27th, Thursday: Advocate Speak Out. Located at the Student Union
Patio Stage from 10AM to 2PM. All involved organizations and participants
will take the stage to speak out about mental illness.
March 28th, Friday: Resource Scavenger Hunt. Students will have the
opportunity to win prizes if they can name some of the different facilities UCF
offers for self-care and treatment.

All UCF students are encouraged to attend, participate in the events and foster the creation
of a safe space for women living with mental illness at UCF.

Women's Mental Health Week is the first event of its kind at UCF, and will hopefully be
returning in the years to come. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an
interview, please contact Chelsea Aldrich at president@demsucf.com, or call her at (352)
455-1230.






Contact: Chelsea Aldrich FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cell Phone: (352) 455- 1230
Email: vicepresident@demsucf.com


KNIGHTS UNITE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
UCF Students to commemorate 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Orlando, FL, February 12, 2014 Fifty years after the landmark legislation was passed, the College
Democrats at UCF and the National Black Law Student Association are commemorating the Civil Rights Act of
1964 with an interactive exhibit and student speak-out, hosted on February 26th at the UCF Student Union
Patio Stage, from 10AM to 2PM.

The act that desegregated our schools, ended the legality of voter suppression practices, and opened up
public institutions to all people regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicityis one that directly affects
every single student at the University of Central Florida, and has allowed for a more diverse and more
successful America. From the activists that championed civil rights in the 60s, to the politicians who moved our
country forward: these are people whose struggles and accomplishments are necessary to celebrate.

The interactive exhibit, opening at 10AM, will include recreations of 1960s era posters protesting injustice and
profiles of prominent figures and events in the civil rights movement. Students can take a moment to relive
history and appreciate the progress our country has made, while considering the battles were still forced to
fight in the struggle for equality.

At 12PM, students will take the stage and demonstrate the importance of the Civil Rights Act through spoken
word, impassioned speeches and personal stories.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act has allowed me to excel academically in ways that I would not have if I
were brought up in the inferior schools of the segregated era, said Ramona Smith, Black Caucus
Representative of College Democrats at UCF. That is why the Civil Rights Act is important to me.

The College Democrats at UCF and the National Black Law Student Association encourage all of UCF to
attend this event, and join hands in extending gratitude to the brave advocates of the early years who worked
so hard to move us forward.

The mission of College Democrats at UCF is to promote the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party by
educating students and encouraging participation in the democratic process.

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If you would like to receive additional information about the College Democrats at UCF, or if you would like to
schedule an interview, please contact Chelsea Aldrich at (352) 455-1230 or at vicepresident@demsucf.com.