Category: Wellness

Yoga: A Brand New You (Presented by the Black in Business Series)

Tevin Robbins

Yoga: A Brand New You
Wednesday, October 27, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
W401 PBB

With all that comes with college life whether it be academically, socially, or emotionally it can be hard to let go of all the pressure. There is a constant battle to maintain our mental health. One way to relieve all this stress is yoga and meditation. Yoga can help you recenter your energy, rejuvenate your mind, relieve anxiety, improve sleep quality, and provide a better quality of life. One session for 60 minutes can put you back on track.

Come join the Black in Business team and learn how to connect your mind, body, and spirit with yoga (yoga mats optional). RSVP using the link  so we know who to expect: https://forms.gle/mH4MnFmhUq8vmrs97

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact mckenzie-turner@uiowa.edu.

Mindfulness workshops

Kristin Wurster

Mindfulness is the practice being fully aware of the present moment (our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and environment), with a nonjudgmental stance of curiosity. It is associated with improvements in physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Interested in learning more, or looking for new ways to manage stress? Check out Student Wellness’s Koru Mindfulness Workshops, a 4-week series using an evidence-based curriculum for college students.

Check out “Managing the Undergraduate World” Mental Health Virtual Panel

Kristin Wurster

As we navigate the fall semester, we continue to face challenges surrounding COVID19. Join this Mental Health Panel Discussion to identify ways you can continue caring for yourself, others, and the community.

 Tuesday, November 10 from 12:00-1:00pm CST

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the University Counseling Service in advance at 319-335-7294.

Immediately following (from 1:00-2:00pm CST) is a panel on Coping as a UI Parent, Guardian, or Family Member.

Fresh Check Day!

Kristin Wurster

Fresh Check Day is a mental health promotion and suicide prevention event. This year, Fresh Check Day is going virtual! Tune in @uiowaucs on FaceBook Live on Wednesday October 21 at noon or 7:00pm for the annual mental health fair. Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card while learning strategies to enhance your mental health. Please contact ucs@uiowa.edu with any questions.

Wednesday October 21 at noon: https://fb.me/e/5ECmdmJ8m
Wednesday October 21 at 7:00pm: https://fb.me/e/1uX7jWejN

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. Close caption is available for the events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact ucs@uiowa.edu.

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or generally struggling with your mental health?

Kristin Wurster

Remember the University Counseling Service and Tippie’s embedded therapist (Kristin) are here to support you in a variety of ways!

  • Have a question for Kristin or interested in getting some resources? Drop by during her Let’s Talk, Hawks! hour on Wednesdays from 4-5pm CST (here’s the link to join). She can help with problem-solving, share campus and community resources, or answer questions you have about counseling and UCS.
  • The UCS offers weekly programming to help you develop coping skills. These include:
    • Brave (cultivate a braver mind to increase psychological strength),
    • Mindfulness Matters (practice mindfulness to increase stress management and overall well-being),
    • Soothe Your Anxiety (better understand anxiety and develop coping tools),
    • Anxiety Toolbox (3-week skills-based workshop to manage anxiety), and
    • Getting Unstuck (3-week skills-based workshop to manage symptoms of depression).
  • If your experiences and/or mental health concerns are making it difficult for you to do the things you want to be doing, you can contact Kristin directly to schedule a consultation appointment (kristin-wurster@uiowa.edu). You can also schedule an appointment with Kristin or the general UCS staff by calling 319.335.7294 between 8am-5pm CST, Monday through Friday.

 

Coping with Racialized Violence and Engaging in Anti-Racist Action

Kristin Wurster

Here is a compilation of resources intended to provide support for BIPOC students who have experienced racism and racialized violence and to offer learning/un-learning opportunities for any student interested in engaging in anti-racism work. It is categorized into the areas of learning, coping and healing, acting, and reporting. Each area includes articles, books, podcasts, videos, and more.

Campus Mental Health Resources

Kristin Wurster

Check out mentalhealth.uiowa.edu, a new central location for all of The University of Iowa’s mental health resources! Two highlights include a section linking to all offices that provide mental health services to the campus community and a section specific to the impacts and intersections of COVID19 with a variety of topics. These include: academic issues, trauma, sleep, substance abuse, disordered eating, self-care and managing burnout, the International community, domestic marginalized communities, caregivers, and children and families.

Taking Care of Our Tippie Mental Health

Kristin Wurster

Hi! My name is Kristin. I’m a licensed psychologist and staff member of the University Counseling Service (UCS) who works specifically with Tippie students. I’m located in the Pappajohn Business Building (and, right now, Zoom). I’m here to support mental health in the college through outreach programming, clinical services, consultation, and more. Here are three facts about me:

  • I’m a three-time University of Iowa alum;
  • My services are confidential;
  • I enjoy meeting and working with students!

Have a question you want me to answer in our next newsletter? In need of support? E-mail me at kristin-wurster@uiowa.edu and get more information on the UCS at Tippie webpage.

Drop-In Supportive Programming Through UCS

Kristin Wurster

This Week at UCS

See below for a list of live Zoom opportunities hosted by UCS Therapists. These are opportunities for University of Iowa students regardless of their current location, and are intended to provide support and information on a variety of topics. Visit the UCS website for more information about all of these programs and information on additional services available to students (link). Visit the UCS website for more information about all of these programs and information about additional services available to students (link).

Click here to join our mailing list so you don’t miss any important information! You can also follow us on Instagram (@uiowaucs) and Facebook (@uiowacounseling) for news and updates.

Thursday, May 21st:

  • Mindfulness Matters – Weekly 1:30-2:30pm CDT
    • Hosted by Heidi Schmitt, LISW
    • This Week’s Topic: Mindful Breathing
    • Mindfulness is purposefully paying attention, non-judgmentally, to the present moment. The practice of mindfulness can lead to an increased sense of balance, stress management, and overall well-being in your life. Open to students and staff.
    • No pre-registration required. Zoom link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/129398591
  • Living Through Loss – Weekly 3:30-4:30pm CDT
    • Hosted by Dawn Bates, PhD
    • Loss and grief seem more prevalent now as our lives are changing in response to the Coronavirus and COVID-19. Sometimes it can be helpful to have support and guidance while navigating loss. Living Through Loss, an open support group, offers that support to University of Iowa students.
    • No need to pre-register. Zoom link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/442283949
  • Success Not Excess – Weekly 4:00-5:00pm CDT
    • Hosted by Heidi Schmitt, LISW
    • This group is designed to provide a safe and supportive space for students who are wanting ot make or are considering changes in alcohol or other drug use. The group emphasizes success in academics, relationships, mental and physical health, and other meaningful goals through abstaining or reducing alcohol and other drug use. The group operates from a “no pressure” approach by encouraging the discussion of shared experiences and achieving success in college by removing the barriers created by substance use.
    • No pre-registration required. Zoom link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/596305220

Friday, May 22nd:

  • Chronic Health Concerns Support Group – Weekly 11:00-12:00 CDT
    • Hosted by Heidi Schmitt, LISW
    • School, work, and simply managing everyday demands can feel overwhelming. It can be even more challenging when you have a chronic health condition.
    • No pre-registration required. Zoom link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/493006424
  • Solidarity – Weekly 1:00-2:00pm CDT
    • Hosted by Tianyi Xie, MS and Scott Liu, PhD
    • This is a safe space for Asian-identified International/American students at UIowa to talk about concerns, share experiences, and stay connected with one another. Potential topics including racism and xenophobia, immigration issues, social distancing, and other adjustment difficulties relating to COVID-19
    • No pre-registration required. Zoom link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/201283078
  • ADHD Support Group – Weekly 1:00-2:00pm CDT
    • Hosted by Kyle Votroubek, LISW
    • Living with ADHD can affect every part of life and, at times, feel isolating. By coming to a support group, you will be able to share coping strategies and meet people with similar lived experience who are dealing with similar issues. Come along to meet new people, learn strategies for success, expand coping skills, and share the challenges you’re facing regarding being a student at the University of Iowa.
    • If interested in joining this group, e-mail Kyle Votroubek (kyle-votroubek@uiowa.edu)

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in any of the programs above please contact UCS at ucs@uiowa.edu

Campus Mental Health Panel

Kristin Wurster

The University Counseling Service hosted a panel discussion focused on caring for our mental health and the mental health of those around us. It featured representatives from the University Counseling Service (UCS), University of Iowa Student Government (UISG), the Women’s Resource & Action Center (WRAC), the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP), Student Health, Student Wellness, and Student Care & Assistance.

00:00-09:10 – Barry Schreier, UCS, Moderator
09:10-15:31 – Kelly Clougher, UCS
15:31-22:35 – Noel Mills, UISG
22:35-33:56 – Linda Kroon, WRAC
33:56-44:10 – Adam Robinson, RVAP
44:10-50:34 – Jeneice Nott, Student Health
50:34-54:21 – Karen Grajczyk, Student Wellness
54:21-58:37 – Nikki Hodous, Student Care & Assistance
58:37-71:04 – Q&A with the panelists

Got a question for Tippie’s embedded therapist? Zoom into Let’s Talk, Hawks!

Kristin Wurster

Let’s Talk, Hawks! is a drop-in, one-on-one consultation service offered by UCS. At this time, you can speak individually (over Zoom) with Tippie’s embedded therapist, engage in problem-solving, learn about useful resources, or ask questions about counseling.

Tuesdays through Zoom
7:00-8:00 pm
https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/850294424
Meeting ID: 850 294 424
Therapist: Kristin Wurster, Ph.D.

Please note, Let’s Talk, Hawks! consultations are:

  • First come, first serve – no appointments needed
  • Brief – up to 15 minutes
  • No information is collected and kept about you, and there is no paperwork to be completed
  • Not counseling or a crisis service

 

Coping in the Time of COVID-19

Kristin Wurster

Well, this isn’t the semester anyone planned. View the recorded session of Associate Dean Ken Brown and Embedded Psychologist Kristin Wurster discussing tips for learning from home and maintaining your mental health, followed by a guided mindfulness exercise.

 

To view a specific portion:

Introduction: 0:00-2:16
Learning from home: 2:16-8:52
Maintaining mental health: 8:52-20:45
Mindfulness exercise: 20:45-30:35