Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2015) – Colorful signs posted around California Baptist University over the past couple of weeks are designed to promote Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 5-9) as an opportunity to talk about issues that can fly under the radar for some students.

This year's theme, Choose Healing, is featured in presentations throughout the week by counselors from the CBU Counseling Center on issues that can cause mental distress.

Dr. Natalie Rios, assistant director of the Counseling Center, said it is important for people to talk about mental health issues. Because there is a stigma surrounding mental health concerns, people can end up feeling isolated and alone, she said.

"Having events like this is important because it helps to reduce some of that stigma and gets people talking about these things to normalize their experiences," Rios said.

This week's events can help people describe what they are going through and realize that they're not alone, she said.

"We're multi-dimensional as human beings, and so mental health is a really important part of that," Rios said. "If we're not taking care of that and trying to be healthy within ourselves and our relationships, it can create a lot of chaos and stress in our lives."

"If we can find ways to help individuals address some of that brokenness … to find ways to find healing and support and God in all of that, it can really influence their lives in a positive way," she added.

Promoting Mental Health Awareness Week also creates visibility for the Counseling Center.

"We want people to know that we're here and that we're wanting to support them and help them in any way that we can," Rios said.

For a full list of presentations visit the Counseling Center website.