PhD Student and Entrepreneur Creates Mental Health e-Journal

  Second-year PhD in Clinical Psychology student, Lana Batarseh, has created a mental health e-journal. Inspired by her own mental health journey, Lana seeks to help others better answer the question, “How do I heal?”   “I decided to create an e-journal based on my experiences and share them with the world of people who are interested in self-healing and going deeper into thought processes that can be difficult to narrow down and work through,” says Batarseh.   The journal itself is structured through prompts that help the user define their goals, examine their support systems, and better understand their triggers that stem from traumatic experiences throughout life.   The entire project began through an idea Lana had while working remotely as a project manager for a clinical psychologist. As she was putting together topics for monthly mental health webinars, she realized that she had both the affinity and skill set for this work. Shortly after this realization, she went to a design site and started creating. “I didn’t even know what it was at first, and then I realized that ‘oh, this is a journal,” says Batarseh.   With this e-journal, Lana has created a mental health resource that is a part of a self-care routine. “No matter how difficult self-care feels at times of burnout or stress, the benefits of adding five minutes of journaling, five minutes of walking, five minutes of mindful breathing, even when you feel incapable, can be monumental,” says Batarseh. “I try to remember that when I am juggling clients, work, classes, and everything else life throws at me…I need to take moments to check in with myself and be cognizant of my experiences.”   As the school year begins, Lana is excited about starting her second year at PAU. She appreciates PAU’s community-based approach, the school’s commitment to diversity and culture, and the support she feels among students and faculty. Although she is unsure about her future goals, she is passionate about clinical work and offering support and guidance to people who suffer from severe mental illness.   For more information, visit Lana's website.