Tag: Mental health

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Kristin Wurster

Image of two hands on either side of a computer with a heart on the screen. Above the image, text states: "April 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness Month." Below the image are the words "We can build safe online spaces."

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) provides information and resources with their “We Can Build Safe Online Spaces” campaign, which highlights how to practice consent online and build respectful online communities. Locally, RVAP has partnered with a variety of campus and community organizations to host a month-long calendar of events (most of which are virtual). Click on this link to be taken to a list of events.

Below are some of the local events that occur this week:

April 12th: 7-9pm CST: Queer Art Healing Group: Teal Time

April 18th, 10-11am CST: Yoga for Connection (Zoom ID: 411 109 7400)

April 18th, 1-4pm CST: LGBTQIA Culinary Skills Support Group (to join, contact esmacy@uiowa.edu)

Supporting Your Mental Health

Kristin Wurster

Below are some drop-in programs offered through the University Counseling Service:

 

The Body Image Workshop:

Tuesday, April 27, 4:30-5:30 pm

Zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99714958600

This week, the Body Image Workshop focuses on learning about the sociocultural factors that impact our body image and becoming a critical media consumer.

The Guest House

Tuesday, April 27, 4:00-4:50pm

Zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/91906401458

The Guest House focuses on cultivated a more compassionate stance towards ourselves, others, and the world around us. This week, learn about what it means to be gentle and understanding with ourselves, why we are self-critical and practice ways of being kind to ourselves.

 

Soothe Your Anxiety

Wednesday, April 28, 5:00-5:30pm

Zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/95959208919; Meeting ID: 959 5920 8919

Soothe Your Anxiety is for students looking to better understand anxiety and develop some quick tools to cope with the symptoms they may experience. This week, learn about identifying automatic thoughts and using mindfulness as a tool to manage them.

 

Mindfulness Matters

Thursday, April 29, 1:30-2:00pm

Zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/129398591

Join for a half hour, guided mindfulness exercise. The practice of mindfulness can lead to an increase sense of balance, stress management, and overall well-being in your life.

 

Questions about what might be a good fit for you, or in need of mental health services? Reach out to Tippie’s embedded therapist at kristin-wurster@uiowa.edu or call the University Counseling Service at 319.335.7294.

 

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.

 

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.