In May we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. With this nationally recognized month, we promote the importance of taking care of one’s emotional well-being and challenge the stigmas associated with mental health. This year at the University of Oregon, we are engaging in the theme of Mental Health is Health.
We at University Health Services want to emphasize the challenges students, faculty members, and staff face regarding their mental health, especially with the current global and local climates.
According to the Healthy Minds Study in spring of 2023, 66 percent of UO students who participated in the study are “experiencing symptoms of at least one significant mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, or eating disorders.” Additionally, 81 percent of our UO students perceived a need for support, and 35 percent had accessed mental health services. At University Health Services, we believe this is the perfect time to reach out to the community and encourage self-compassion, understanding, and overall mental health awareness.
This May we have partnered with a variety of campus departments to create events tailored to increasing awareness of campus mental health resources, decreasing the stigma associated with mental health, as well as emphasizing kindness to yourself and to others during and beyond this year’s national Mental Health Awareness Month.
We encourage all students, faculty members, and staff to participate in Mental Health Awareness Month bingo to help you engage in self and collective care. Bingo cards can be found at the Duck Nest (041 EMU).
Follow our Instagram accounts to stay connected about wellness topics. Counseling Services: @uocounselingservices; University Health Services: @healthyuo; and the Duck Nest: @uo_ducknest.
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.
Presented by Counseling Services Student Advisory Board (SAB).
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Join Global Education Oregon to learn more about common challenges students face and discover self-care strategies and best practices for wellness while abroad. This workshop will be hosted virtually and can be accessed here: https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/98922808158?pwd=GJpJeInCcDz0hCezc7AoZ7BOB0birY.1
Interested in attending or unable to attend but still want the workshop materials? Please fill out the RSVP form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1fe3d0c4e0df4efd8c868d2d71dc5942
This workshop is part of GEO’s Spring Workshop Series. To check out all of the spring workshops, visit our webpage: https://geo.uoregon.edu/pre-departure-workshops
7:00–7:45 p.m.
Join us for Gentle Yoga this Spring Term! Duck Nest Yoga will be held in the Rec Center this term at 7pm on Thursdays, Weeks 2-10. The class will be held in Studio 71 (map included here). The class is free for UO students--just remember to bring your UO ID card. Sign up via the Linktree Calendly link in the Duck Nest's Instagram bio! Or here: https://calendly.com/ducknest/duck-nest-yoga-spring-2025 No experience is required for this restorative yoga class. Mats will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
noon
Explore the Power of Body Doubling at the Accessible Education Center (AEC) and Duck Nest's Neurodivergent-Friendly Study Space! Body doubling involves working alongside someone independently to promote accountability, foster focus and motivation, and reduce isolation.
If you get easily distracted while studying, if it is helpful for you to have a quiet environment to study in that’s not the library, or if you want to explore the benefit of fidget tools while studying, this is the place for you! The Duck Nest and AEC will provide the space, facilitators, and some materials to help you start or complete your academic tasks, or to provide support with things like goal setting, breaking down tasks, and more.
The study hours will occur every Friday from Week 2-10 from noon-2pm in the LLC North 123.
If you are interested in joining, there is no need to RSVP. You also do not need to have accommodations through the AEC to attend, it is open to all students so please bring a friend or two with you!
Snacks and fidget tools will be provided. Additionally, students present can also enter a raffle that will occur at the end of the term for a Duck Bucks gift card.
10:00 a.m.
Join University Health Services in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for our second annual Out of The Darkness Suicide Prevention Campus Walk! We will be walking to bring awareness to suicide and mental health at the University of Oregon.
Register at afsp.org/UOR and come to the EMU Green to enjoy our interactive booths, therapy goats, and more!
Registration will open at 10:00 am, and the ceremony will begin at 11:00 am with the walk immediately following.
Follow our Instagram, @ootd_uo, to stay updated.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Join us for this interactive presentation in our Nourish and Flourish Series focused on Meal Prepping and Planning. All four presentations will be from 2:30-3:30pm in the Mills International Center (located on the Mezzanine level of the EMU, Room 102).
This May 6 session led by Dr. Kathleen Humphries, PhD in Nutrition, will focus on topics such as how to meal plan and prep for the week. Tips for grocery shopping, saving money, and easy meals. Join us for this interactive presentation with FREE SNACKS!
You can also find out more information about food resources and other wellbeing programs on campus.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Join us as we dive into the power of emotions—how to understand them, work with them, and use them to guide us toward healthier choices and deeper connections. 💬💛
Wednesday, May 7th from 4 - 5 pm @ Bartalotti's Pizza EMU ground floor.
We'll explore: 🧠 What Emotional Intelligence (EI) really means 🌱 How emotions can help (not hinder!) decision-making 🌈 Boosting positive feelings like gratitude 🛠️ Practical ways to manage your emotions and behaviors 🗺️ Your emotional roadmap to solving problems
🎟️ Don’t forget to fill out our survey and enter the raffle!
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Enjoy stress-free time together online with disabled and neurodivergent graduate students from across campus. Share experiences, exchange resources, or consult with a GE from the Accessible Education Center.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Join us for this interactive presentation in our Nourish and Flourish Series focused on Navigating Food Information. It will be from 2:30-3:30pm in the Mills International Center (located on the Mezzanine level of the EMU, Room 102). This May 20 session led by Dr. Kathleen Humphries, PhD in Nutrition, will focus on how to interpret nutrition and health information you see online, how to identify misinformation, and more. Join us for this interactive presentation with FREE SNACKS! You can also find out more information about food resources and other wellbeing programs on campus.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Welcome to the final stretch of our EI journey! This week, we’re focusing on how to manage emotions—not just your own, but in your relationships too. Because emotional growth isn’t just personal—it’s social 💛
Join us on Wednesday, May 21st, 4-5 p.m @ Bartalottis Pizza, EMU ground floor.
We’ll chat about: 🧠 What Emotional Intelligence is (and why it matters!) 🌿 How to take ownership of your feelings and happiness 🔁 Turning tough emotions into growth moments 🤝 Helping others understand and grow from their emotions 💬 Building stronger connections & navigating conflict
✨ Don’t forget to take the survey & enter the raffle for a chance to win something sweet! 🎟️