In an effort to expand campus conversations around mental health, Eastern Michigan University is welcoming a keynote speaker on Monday, April 10.
Josh Rivedal, an educator, speaker and comic will be bringing his widely successful “I’mpossible Project” to EMU. The project has been presented at universities across the world.
Growing up with a love of performing, Rivedal put that passion in church choirs, school and community theaters and eventually began working professionally at 19.
Finding an escape in performance for his own mental health struggles, Rivedal’s work expanded across creative mediums. He has published multiple books with plans for more soon and has created curriculum for suicide prevention in the workplace.
At age 25, Rivedal lost his father to suicide. “The next couple years of my life were really spent in chaos…I was struggling and so almost two years after I lost my dad I nearly attempted suicide myself,“ he said.
But, Rivedal was able to get the help he needed through family, friends and community resources. He also realized that helping others was healing for him.
Rivedal used his own struggles to connect with others and found himself creating what is now the “I’mpossible Project.”
The presentation is a combination of storytelling, comedy, resource awareness and audience participation.
“Human beings respond to stories, and we’re made to do that,” said Rivedal.
Originally slated for earlier this semester among a week of mental health awareness activities across campus, Rivedal’s keynote was postponed due to one of many inclement weather days.
“Now with the end of the school year coming up and finals coming up, I think it’s really important not to forget to take care of yourself,” said Jessi Kwek, EMU Student Government’s Director of Student Services, who helped plan the event and its subsequent reschedule.
Kwek also hopes to raise awareness across campus of students’ struggles with mental health.
“We have a mental health crisis going on, especially among college students, and I think for professors to be aware of that and responsive to that can be really, really helpful when students are facing hard issues,” said Kwek.
More: EMU full time and part time lecturers combine to make one contract bargaining unit
More: Ypsilanti City Council approves five permit appeals for marijuana dispensaries
All students are welcome to attend to learn more about mental health and de-stress from the hectic end of the semester. The keynote presentation will be at 5 p.m. in Student Center room 310AB on Monday, April 10.
