It is a
frequently portrayed stereotype: a rather sad loner in the basement with
headphones and a computer, living a virtual life in a virtual world because
“real life” is just too hard.
Colleen Crary, M.A. (Anya Ibor in
Second Life®) is the executive director and founder of the nonprofit Fearless
Nation. She will address mental health and quality of life in virtual worlds
and beyond at the upcoming April 26, 2014 Mental Health Symposium. The
Symposium is sponsored by Virtual Ability, Inc., and will bring together
researchers, educators, clinicians, and experts representing a variety of
backgrounds.
Ms. Crary
will bring her expertise and experience in educating, supporting, and
advocating for the rights of people who have experienced psychological trauma
to her presentation “Creating a Vibrant Life: Lessons from Adversity.” For her, and for so many, virtual worlds offer
an extension of our real life, not an alternative. People can improve the
quality of their current existence in any
world by learning from those who have triumphed over adversity.
“People can
enhance their lives, create a ‘vibrant life,’ by embracing opportunities found
in life’s adversity,” she notes. We can,
in both real life and virtual life, uncover “hidden opportunities in life’s
darkest moments, and start the journey from ‘bitter’ to ‘better.’”
“New
research shows some surprising and very positive directions in quality of life
enhancement,” Ms. Crary explains. Even people who have been traumatized are
able to turn their lives around “to embrace a more creative and satisfying existence,
free of victim-hood and self-pity.”
Ms. Crary, a
doctoral candidate in Psychology at Walden University, has her Masters in Forensic Psychology from the prestigious Chicago
School. She has brought her expertise in psychological trauma and dealing with
adversity to her work with the military and law enforcement communities. She is
a long-time participant in virtual worlds, and understands how connecting with
people virtually can bring profound meaning to life.
Virtual Ability is pleased to welcome Colleen
Crary, and a number of other experts and researchers, to the 2014 Mental Health Symposium. The Symposium will be held in Second
Life®.
This
international professional conference offers a variety of opportunities for
learning and for personal and professional growth. It is free, ADA accessible,
and open to the public.
Please,
consider joining us on April 26, 2014 to learn about:
- Insights from Research: Depression among Older Adults
- Employment Equality Through Accommodation and Self-Advocacy
- Well-being Among Persons at Risk of Psychosis: The Role of Self-Labeling, Shame, and Stigma Stress
- Super-good: Why People Serious About Addiction Recovery can become “Weller than Well”
- The Role of Counseling in Quality of Life and How Counselors are Exploring Virtual Service Delivery
- A Healing Space Built with Veterans in Mind: Virtual Worlds and Psychological Health
- Creating a Vibrant Life: Lessons from Adversity
Sessions
start at 7 am PDT and will be held at The
Sojourner Auditorium on Virtual Ability Island Second Life®.
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