UB Counseling and Stress Management Virtual Workshops – Spring 2021
All Counseling Services workshops will take place via Zoom.
For the full schedule, visit: https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/life-on-campus/health/wellness-events-calendar.html
Connection and Compassion for International Students
This workshop is intended for international students. Over the past few months, there has been a multitude of changes nationally and internationally affecting schools, workplaces, and communities. This has led to an increased sense of social isolation and challenges for many students. This workshop will highlight unique challenges experienced by international students; introduce strategies and resources for coping, and ways to cultivate compassion and connection with others in this era of social distancing.
Creating Routine to Support Distance Learning
This workshop will focus on the impact that distance learning has on the current student experience. Effective tools to increase routine and motivation will be provided as well as resources for virtual academic support.
Cultivating Connections and Social Supports While Physically Distancing
This workshop will address the impact of social isolation and the current effect on mental health and overall wellness. Coping skills and tools to increase virtual connections will be provided.
Helping Students Adjust During Distance Learning: How Faculty and Staff Can Support Students
This workshop will provide information for faculty and staff surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on students. Ways to recognize and assist students in emotional distress will be covered as well as the impact of overall stress. Strategies will be provided to support students during this time of transition, change and loss.
Hope and Resiliency: Managing Change and Ambiguous Loss
This workshop will focus on changes and associated losses resulting from the current COVID-19 crisis. Topics will include shifting to distance learning, social isolation, changing geographical location, inability to plan for the future and temporary loss of life as we know it. Tips and tools to increase coping and support will be provided.
International Tea Time
International Tea Time is a free bi-weekly meeting which brings together U.S. and international students for conversation, friendship, and fun. Students play games, talk, and enjoy getting to know each other.
Inclusion and Acceptance: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Communities
This workshop will provide participants an open conversation on LGBTQIA+ history, such as the Stonewall Riot and Marsha P. Johnson, as well as opportunities for participants to engage within the LGBTQIA+ community, including podcasts and musical artists. Topics surrounding exclusion, bullying, safety, as well as persistence and resilience will be discussed. Creating spaces and opportunities for LGBTQIA+ folks to be seen, heard, and feel a sense of belonging in school, family, and social systems are emphasized. Finally, this workshop will provide resources for participants to find both mental and physical health support.
Life Through Loss: Coping with COVID-19 Related Grief
The intent of this workshop is to provide education and validation surrounding the impact of grief and loss associated with Covid19. It will also assist individuals in identifying strategies of self-care and support.
Mindful Self-Compassion and Self-Care to Support Mental Health
This workshop will focus on the impact that stress and other mental health concerns have on overall health and wellness. Tools related to mindful self-compassion, symptom management and self-care will be provided to increase support.
Recognizing the Impact: Supporting Communities of Color during times of Crisis
This workshop focuses on exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities. This program will take an intersectional approach to identifying the various ways that these communities are uniquely affected by national crises. Additionally, facilitators will offer strategies for self/community care aimed at improving and maintaining mental wellness.
Resistance and Resilience: Self-care skills for students of color experiencing racism
This workshop acknowledges the detrimental impact of racism on society as a whole, but particularly for People of Color. This virtual workshop aims to provide education, support, and skills to empower Students of Color impacted by racism and White supremacy. The goal is to offer tools for self-care and coping, while also empowering Students of Color to challenge the status quo.
Transform: Anti-racist skills for white students to create a healthy campus for all
This outreach will provide a space for white-identified students to gain skills in order to engage in difficult conversations around race, identify systems of oppression, and learn tools to participate in self-reflection. The purpose of these skills is to continue to grow a deep, compassionate UB community committed to racial justice and equality.
Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness for Mental Wellness
This workshop will provide education surrounding the benefits of yoga, meditation and mindfulness to increase mental wellness. Experiential examples of movement and breath work will be provided to assist participants in developing their own home practice.
Weekly Stress Management programs are online at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
For more information, contact Sharlynn Daun-Barnett at sd62@buffalo.edu
Note: to attend, you will need to sign-in to Zoom using your UBIT name and password.
If you use another email address, you may be denied access.
Wellness Coaching
The UB Wellness Coaching Program helps students define specific goals related to their overall health and wellness, and to identify and implement actionable steps to achieve their goals. Using a strengths-based approach, Wellness Coaches assist students in pursuing goals related to academic, physical, social, emotional, relational or spiritual wellness. When you are under quarantine, a Wellness Coach may be able to help you to set goals to cope with your unique circumstances. This free program is also available throughout the year. For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/goals
Drop-In and Connect
Thursdays 6-7pm, 2/11 – 4/29 (no program 4/8) via Zoom at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
How is your week going? What is going well? What are you struggling with? Are you feeling disconnected from others? During this time of online classes and COVID-19 safety guidelines you may feel isolated, but we want you to know that you are not alone. This peer support program is a safe, non-judgmental space to connect and share your experiences from the week. Our Stress Reduction Program team is here to listen, support you, and can link you with campus resources too. While we talk, we encourage you to participate in a relaxing activity to help you take a mental break, such as coloring, playing with Jenga or stretching. Drop-in when you need to vent or come every week!
Yoga for Student Living class
Mondays 5:30-6:45pm, 2/8 – 5/3, via Zoom at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
This live, online yoga class consists of yoga postures/movements, meditation approaches and breath awareness to maintain wellness through the challenges of this semester. No experience is necessary. Dress comfortably. If you need to leave early, that is okay.
Meditation in Motion
Tuesdays 4-4:30pm, 2/9 – 4/27 via Zoom at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
Do you want to meditate, but have a tough time sitting still? Learn techniques to meditate using movement and other brief, creative strategies. All experience levels are welcome, but no experience is necessary.
Feeling Your Yoga class
Tuesdays 6-7pm, 2/9 – 4/27, via Zoom at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
This live, online yoga class consists of yoga postures, meditation, and breath awareness to maintain balance and overall wellness. It is not a fitness class, yet we test our limits, raise our heart rates and wind down to active rest. All experience levels are welcome, but no experience is necessary. Dress comfortably.
Wellness Wednesdays
Wednesdays, 12-12:30pm, 2/10 – 4/28 via Zoom at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
Bring your lunch and drop-in to learn about different ways to feel better and improve your self-care—from sleep tips, to fitting in time to exercise, to partying safer, to learning ways to relieve stress. Self-care is defined as activities that you can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain your health and well-being. If there is a topic you would like us to talk about, let us know!
Drop-In Meditation Group
Fridays, 3-3:45pm, 2/5 – 4/30 via Zoom at https://buffalo.zoom.us/my/relax
The benefits of practicing meditation include reduced stress, improved sleep, and a more focused mind. This weekly meditation group teaches the fundamentals of mindfulness and meditation, and provides students with a variety of meditation techniques from different guest presenters. All experience levels are welcome, but no experience is necessary. We welcome students from all religious and non-religious traditions.