Healthy Osprey continued its Every Mind Matters series Nov. 9 with a public discussion based on researcher-storyteller Brené Brown’s Ted Talk as a way to increase awareness on mental health and the value of vulnerability.

In Brown’s Ted Talk, titled “The Power of Vulnerability,” she discussed how courage and connection came to those who embraced vulnerability. In her research, Brown found that people with a high sense of worthiness were not afraid to be vulnerable. Instead of dreading or avoiding vulnerability and openness, those people considered it necessary.

“They fully embraced vulnerability,” Brown said in her Ted Talk. “They believed that what made them vulnerable made them beautiful.”

Mental health is a high concern for UNF students, said Katie Kilpatrick, a senior Community Health major who led the special event. Before screening the Ted Talk, she encouraged people to recognize signs of depression and risk factors of suicide.

Brown is a researcher with a Ph.D. in social work. She has written three New York Times Bestsellers, including Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. According to her website, she has spent 13 years researching vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity,” Brené Brown wrote in her book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.

After screening Brown’s Ted Talk, Kilpatrick asked the audience to think about what they could do to encourage and instill self-worth in their peers as well as how to help people feel comfortable opening up in a campus environment.

One audience member suggested joining clubs as a way for students to connect with like-minded people.

After the discussion, Kilpatrick encouraged attendees to take part in Health Promotions’ #UNFInspires social media campaign, where students post a picture of a positive message sticky note around campus.

The UNF Inspires campaign, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness month, is a creative way to grab people’s attention, Kilpatrick said.

To learn more about how you can become aware on mental health, click here.

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