18 ForOregonState.org/Stater N ews JACOB ADAMS B R I E F S UNSTICK NEGATIVE THOUGHTS Teen trapped in a negative thought spiral? It turns out, telling them to “think positive” is only part of the solu‑ tion. A study by OSU’s Translational Imagery, Depression and Suicide Lab found that, for teenagers, visualiz‑ ing something positive — places they want to travel or their friends — is a significantly more effective distrac‑ tion than merely thinking affirming words. Researchers hypothesize that imagery is more immersive and requires more effort, and therefore creates a stronger emotional response. NEW CRISIS HELPLINE NOW OPEN The rate of suicide for farmers is three and a half times higher than the national average, according to the National Rural Health Association, and the rate of deaths by suicide in Oregon has been higher than the national average since at least 2001. To help, the Oregon Legislature has provided $300,000 to the OSU Foun‑ dation to establish an endowment for a new crisis helpline. The Oregon AgriStress Helpline, run by the OSU Extension Service, is available 24 hours a day at 833‑897‑2474. The voice line can be accessed in 160 languages; the text line is available for English, Spanish and Vietnamese speakers. The helpline serves Oregon’s farmers, farm workers, ranchers, fishers, foresters and their families. OSU is the first academic institution and the first land grant university to partner with a state on a project like this. To support the project’s ongoing mission, go to Give.For OregonState.org and select Rural Mental Health Fund in the “I want to give to” menu. PRAx SETS THE STAGE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE ARTS CENTER’S DEBUT SEASON. By Katherine Cusumano Last fall, a ghostly, 80-foot-tall resin and yellow cedar sculpture rose among giant sequoias on the fringe of the Memorial Union Quad. Emeritus, by John Grade,was brought to campus for 14 months by the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, or PRAx — the new, 49,000-square- foot, $75 million multidisciplinary space that will host performances, exhibits and more starting this April. “That was kind of our warning shot,” said Peter Betjemann, professor of English and the Patricia Valian Reser Executive Director of PRAx. That is to say, it was an indicator that the new space’s programming won’t be limited to the building itself but will instead spill onto campus in unexpected ways. The center, Betjemann said, aims to bring together the arts, sciences and technology through events and installations. ۄ OSU’s new arts center is taking shape in Corvallis. Its first season of music, theater and art launches in early April.
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