Episode 06: Interview with Dr. Sharon Jalene | The Importance of Mental Health with College Students

Episode 06: Mental Health w/ Dr. Sharon Jalene 

Hey, Rebels! This interview was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in early February.  What's fascinating about this episode is that we cover a lot of things about mental which crucial in this new environment that we all find ourselves suddenly having to cope with. You may have seen our guest, Dr. Jalene around campus, during fitness for finals, or have even taken some of her courses. Dr. Sharon Jalene is the Assistant Dean of undergraduate affairs and an Assistant Professor in Residence here at UNLV. After having earned her Bachelor's and Master's in Kinesiology, she graduated as a UNLV Ph.D. Student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. During her time here, her research examined interventions for college student depression. She teaches physical activity and health, social psychology of physical activity and health, and other Undergraduate Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology courses. We hope that you find this interview helpful. 

Email Dr. Jalene: sharon.jalene@unlv.edu​ or Call: 702 895 3946.

Show Notes | Resources: 

In this episode you’ll discover:

●Dr. Jalene’s dissertation on Student Depression:

○The relationship between depression and fitness (college students)

○Journal: Frontiers and Exercise physiology

○Title: Estimated CRF is associated w/ reported depression in students.

○Link: ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6759774/

●The importance of physical activity cardiovascular fitness for mental health w/ college students:

○The brain is a valuable organ of the body

○Concentration, lower depression

○We sit a lot and we need to be more aware

○Simple and activities to move and how it can improve symptoms of depression /anxiety.

●The importance of talking to counselors○An increase in anxiety and depression across college institutions

●Mental Health Challenges of college students and ways to overcome○Working and going to school (challenge)

■Maintaining some type of physical Activity ■Yoga ■Sleep ■Fitness challenge ■Counseling ■Self-Hypnosis ■Listen to podcast ■Listen to comedy ■Cuddle w/ your pets ■Writing ■Talking w/ others

○TalkTherapy:​​https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/therapy-therapist○CognitiveBehavioralTherapy​(CBT):https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610

●How Dr. Jalene overcame her life struggles and prospered:

○Child Abuse and having a 7th-grade formal education

■Child Protection Laws:

●https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Child_Protective_Services○Dealing w/ alcoholism■Anita Hill testimony:●​https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Anita_Hill