Stress, negative body image and domestic violence are just some of the many issues that can plague the body and the mind. In October, College of the Canyons will host the “Body-Mind-Wellness For a Better Life” community resource fair as the kick off event of a two-month long seminar series focused on body-mind-wellness and how to maintain it.

“The goal of this series of events is to raise awareness about prevention and treatment options for the many challenges to our well being such as domestic violence, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault and post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Sheri Barke, sports and wellness dietitian at the COC Student Health Center and one of the event organizers.

The resource fair will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10 in the COC Honor Grove, located on the college’s Valencia campus. The event is open to the public and will include live music, food, a fashion show and a raffle drawing.

The acoustic trio “Women on the Move” will entertain attendees with their high-energy/folk pop songs.

In celebration of the human body, the Student Nutrition and Wellness Advocates at COC (SNAC) will present the “EveryBODY is Beautiful” fashion show featuring volunteer student models from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. on the day of the event.

Attendees will also have the chance to decorate a T-shirt in the name of a victim or survivor of domestic violence to include in the college’s ongoing Clothesline Project display. Clothesline Project pins will be on sale for $10 ($5 for students) and will benefit the national Clothesline Project (CLP) program, which addresses violence against women.

The college’s Gamma Beta Phi club will also be accepting toiletries, gift cards to major grocery stores, cleaning products and new clothing to be donated to the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita Valley and the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center.

In the weeks following the “Body-Mind-Wellness For a Better Life” community resource fair, the college will invite a series of guest speakers onto campus for a weekly seminar series addressing topics including body image, depression, anxiety and domestic violence. A full list of seminar dates/times is listed below:

Sexual Assault: “Our Rape Culture”

Elise Gibson (Valley Trauma Center)

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10

Mentry Hall, Room 240

Domestic Violence: “Understanding & Preventing Dating Violence”

Lori Bauer (Child & Family Center) and Linda Davies (Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita Valley)

4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11

Mentry Hall, Room 244

Women & Body Image: “The Naked Truth”

Photographer Maureen Benoit and author Hidi Lee

4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16

Hasley Hall, Room 101

Depression & Suicide: “Friend as a First Responder”

Ritch Green (Child & Family Center)

4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24

Mentry Hall, Room 253

Drug & Alcohol: “Identifying Problematic Drinking & Drug Use”

Bob Sharits (Action Family Counseling) and Tim Traurig (Light of Hope)

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30

Mentry Hall, Room 305

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Veterans

Shawna Williams, readjustment counselor and combat veteran

4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13

Mentry Hall, Room 343

Men & Body Image: “What’s Eating Us? A Real Look at Men, Food, Mood & Attitude!”

A panel discussion with nutrition, fitness and recovery experts

4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15

Mentry Hall, Room 343

For more information about the “Body-Mind-Wellness For a Better Life” community resource fair or the upcoming lecture series visit www.canyons.edu/bmw or call Connie Tripp at 661-362-5931.