Counseling Services partners with colleagues, departments, and student groups across campus to promote mental health and wellbeing. Our recurring events, campaigns, and outreach programming focus on destigmatizing the topic of mental health, encouraging self-care, and bringing awareness to some of the wellness issues our campus community faces.
Stress Less Week
Academics can be stressful for many of us, especially toward the end of the term. Stress Less is designed to create opportunities for you to explore different ways to practice self-care and find techniques to de-stress during some of the hardest parts of the year. These events are hosted during week 10 of fall, winter, and spring terms. Everyone manages the stress of classes differently, but we are here to support you through those times.
All Sizes Fit
All Sizes Fit is a positive body image campaign that aims to increase body positivity and acceptance and decrease the social pressures associated with obtaining an "ideal body." All Sizes Fit focuses on three principles:
- Attention: Be in touch with your body and its signals. Your body is excellent at regulating and letting you know what it needs in order to perform optimally.
- Appreciation: Appreciate everything your body allows you to do and the pleasure it provides. It is because of your body that you can engage in the activities you love and enjoy what life has to offer.
- Acceptance: Accept all the assets you have rather than longing for what you do not. Much of your body composition is predetermined by your genetics.
It embraces the Health at Every Size philosophy which focuses on healthy eating and daily activity instead of weight loss. Instead of dieting or focusing on a specific weight, we encourage: regular activity that is enjoyable, stress management, and healthy emotional awareness and coping.
All Sizes Fit includes an art show, with Duck Store gift certificates awarded for the top creations. For more information, contact Mariko Lin, assistant director and education and prevention outreach director.
2021 All Sizes Fit Virtual Art Show
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) is nationally recognized every May. The purpose of MHM is to raise awareness of the importance of mental health, provide educational opportunites and coping strategies to the campus community, and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses and help-seeking. Counseling Services invites and welcomes many campus partners to join us in programmatic efforts to promote mental health.
Movember
Movember is an annual event which takes place every November and sees men across the world grow mustaches to raise awareness around men’s health issues including mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. The University of Oregon participates by highlighting ongoing resources and hosting special events with the goals of increasing help-seeking behavior, decreasing risk-taking behavior, deconstructing harmful expressions of masculinity, normalizing open dialogue among men, and identifying positive aspects of masculinity and being a man.
noon
Meet with Counseling Services Shannon Stuart-Maver who specializes in working with graduate/professional, LGBTQIA+, trans/nonbinary, and multi-racial/multi-ethnic students, at the Knight Law Center (Room 220F) or click here: https://zoom.us/j/99378816150
Let’s Talk is a service that provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential one-on-one consultation with a Counseling Services staff member. See our website for six additional Let’s Talk days/times offered throughout the week.
Let’s Talk is especially helpful for students who:
Have a specific concern and would like to consult with someone about it. Would like on-the-spot consultation rather than ongoing counseling. Would like to consult with a CS staff member about what actual therapy looks like. Would like to meet with one of our CS identity-based specialists. Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like some ideas about what to do.How does Let’s Talk work?
Let’s Talk will be offered via Zoom and/or in satellite locations across campus. As a drop-in service, there is no need to schedule an appointment and no paperwork to be completed. Students are seen individually on a first-come, first-served basis at the times listed below. There may be a wait in the Zoom waiting room if the Let’s Talk staff member is meeting with another student. Please wait and we will be with you as soon as we can. Let’s Talk appointments are brief (usually between 15-30 minutes) and are meant to be used on an as-needed basis.
Click here for Let's Talk - Monday noon-2PM or see Shannon at the Knight Law Center, Room 220F: https://zoom.us/j/99378816150
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Feeling anxious? If so, you aren’t alone. Many UO students identify difficulties navigating stress and anxiety. This drop-in Anxiety Skills Lab aims to help students improve their understanding of anxiety while also teaching anxiety-management strategies so students feel more in control and better equipped to deal with challenges in their lives.
4:00–4:30 p.m.
Join the Duck Nest Wellness Center for student-led meditation. This could be a great place to explore different practices whether you’re weary about meditation, love it, or fall somewhere in between. Bring your curiosity and intentions! Location: Duck Nest Wellness Center (EMU 041) Day: Tuesdays, Weeks 2-10 Time: 4:00pm-4:30pm Cost: Free
RSVP via Calendly or the following URL: https://calendly.com/ducknest/duck-nest-meditation-spring-2024?month=2024-04
Meditation Schedule
Week 2, April 8: Body Scan
Week 3, April 15: Loving Kindness
Week 4, April 22: Mindfulness
Week 5, April 29: visualization
Week 6, May 6: Sound Bath
Week 7, May 13: Loving Kindness
Week 8, May 20: Walking Meditation
Week 9, Memorial Day--No session
Week 10, June 3: Sound Bath
noon
Meet with Counseling Services Melissa Gomsrud, who specializes in working with graduate, nontraditional, and parent students at Carson Hall (Ramey Room) or click here: https://zoom.us/j/92058889528
Let’s Talk is a service that provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential one-on-one consultation with a Counseling Services staff member. See our website for six additional Let’s Talk days/times offered throughout the week.
Let’s Talk is especially helpful for students who:
Have a specific concern and would like to consult with someone about it. Would like on-the-spot consultation rather than ongoing counseling. Would like to consult with a CS staff member about what actual therapy looks like. Would like to meet with one of our CS identity-based specialists. Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like some ideas about what to do.How does Let’s Talk work?
Let’s Talk will be offered via Zoom and/or in satellite locations across campus. As a drop-in service, there is no need to schedule an appointment and no paperwork to be completed. Students are seen individually on a first-come, first-served basis at the times listed below. There may be a wait in the Zoom waiting room if the Let’s Talk staff member is meeting with another student. Please wait and we will be with you as soon as we can. Let’s Talk appointments are brief (usually between 15-30 minutes) and are meant to be used on an as-needed basis.
Click here for Let's Talk - Tuesdays noon-2PM or see Melissa at Carson Hall in the Ramey Room: https://zoom.us/j/92058889528
noon
Connect with others who are moved and empowered by the music of Taylor Swift. Each session will begin by listening to a song and discussing how the theme resonates in our own lives. Friendship bracelet and other craft materials will be supplied for those who would like to craft while they talk.
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Meet with Counseling Services Mariko Lin at the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (Oregon Hall-Room 130) or click here: https://zoom.us/j/99147472563
Let’s Talk is a service that provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential one-on-one consultation with a Counseling Services staff member. See our website for six additional Let’s Talk days/times offered throughout the week.
Let’s Talk is especially helpful for students who:
Have a specific concern and would like to consult with someone about it. Would like on-the-spot consultation rather than ongoing counseling. Would like to consult with a CS staff member about what actual therapy looks like. Would like to meet with one of our CS identity-based specialists. Have a concern about a friend or family member and would like some ideas about what to do.How does Let’s Talk work?
Let’s Talk will be offered via Zoom and/or in satellite locations across campus. As a drop-in service, there is no need to schedule an appointment and no paperwork to be completed. Students are seen individually on a first-come, first-served basis at the times listed below. There may be a wait in the Zoom waiting room if the Let’s Talk staff member is meeting with another student. Please wait and we will be with you as soon as we can. Let’s Talk appointments are brief (usually between 15-30 minutes) and are meant to be used on an as-needed basis.
Click here for Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM or see Mariko at the CMAE, Room 130: https://zoom.us/j/99147472563
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Do you get easily distracted while studying? Is it helpful for you to have a quiet environment to study in, but not as quiet as the library? Do you want to explore the benefit of fidget tools while studying? This study space might be especially helpful for you if you would like support with focus, accountability, and motivation. The @uo_ducknest and @uo_aec will provide the space, facilitators, and some materials to help you start or complete your academic tasks! Feel free to drop in anytime from 4pm-6pm.
Location: EMU 219 Willow Room (unless otherwise noted) Dates (Tuesdays, Weeks 2-10): • April 9 • April 16 (Room change to Umpqua, EMU 141) • April 23 • April 30 • May 7 • May 14 • May 21 (Room change to Umpqua, EMU 141) • May 28 • June 4
*You do not need to have accommodations through the Accessible Education Center to use this space. It is open to all students!
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Please join the Media & Social Action ARC in the screening of Justice Denied. In this short documentary, hear the powerful story of Sara, a sexual assault survivor. Following the film, engage with the production team, including Academy Award winner Mitchell Block for a time of Q&A.
TW- This film deals with sexual assault.
Care & Advocacy persons providedMay is officially Bike Month in Lane County - so mark your calendars and get your bike ready to ride! Nationally celebrated since 1956, Bike Month has been celebrated in Lane County since 2014. Throughout the month, community members are invited to bike for fun, exercise, errands, and trips around town.
This May is Bike Month, there are even more reasons to hop on your bike! Get ready for a kick-off party at Oakshire Brewing, a fun passport with prizes, a bike month challenge, a bike film fest, and fun rides, among other happenings. For a complete list of Bike Month events and activities, visit WeBikeLane.org.
Keep your eyes peeled for this year’s Bike Month poster and fill-out your Bike Month passport to win swag including bells, pins, mugs, and bandanas - all designed by local artist Erick Wonderly. Simply pick-up a Bike Month passport at your local bike shop and gather passport stickers by attending Bike Month events or visiting local bike shops.
Some 2024 Bike Month calendar highlights include:
Kick-Off Party - May 1 Learn To Ride - May 4 Birds, Bikes & Balance All-Ages Yoga - May 12 Filmed By Bike Film Festival - May 18 Better Ways Block Party - May 19Interested in hosting a Bike Month event? Anyone can create a ride or event and make it part of Bike Month. Submit your event at WeBikeLane.org and it will be posted to the May is Bike Month event calendar.
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Fresh Check Day is the signature program of the Jordan Porco Foundation. It is an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event that includes interactive expo booths, peer-to-peer messaging, support of multiple campus departments and groups, a lively social atmosphere with free food and entertainment, and incentives for participation.