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Taking Care of Ourselves & Each Other

Health & Well-Being Resources

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The Flourish, October 2024

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Let's Flourish Together on the Farm!

The start of the school year brings much excitement, some nervous anticipation, and an openness to new beginnings. Adjusting to Stanford, whether it's your first time on campus or returning back to school after a few years as a graduate student, takes time and a little patience to establish a new routine. The Flourish is excited to be a part of your journey at Stanford, supporting your health and well-being. This month's edition encourages you to focus on your mental health and explore new mindful practices and ways to prioritize care for yourself and those around you. Let's flourish together!

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Subscribe to The Flourish and stay up-to-date with the latest editions, tips, resources, and events to support your mental health and well-being. New to The Flourish? Explore more here!

Tree character riding a bike with a rainbow flowing behind them. "Flourish" is written in the rainbow. Credit Allison Piwowarski
Featured Story

Flourish on the Farm

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a publication that kept track of the fantastic mental health resources, events, and wellness tips that Stanford has to offer? Well… you’re in luck! The Flourish is your go-to for all things mental health and well-being at Stanford. Learn more about The Flourish, our passion for promoting mental health and well-being, how to subscribe to The Flourish, and our awesome interns. 

In My Flourishing Era graphic. Credit: Allison Piwowarski
In Focus

Flourishing Mindfully

The transition to the Farm can be exciting, scary, overwhelming, inspiring, challenging, and so much more for new and returning students. Stanford can be a busy and fast-paced environment, but we have tips on how to live mindfully in the busyness. It’s easy to get lost in all the hustle and bustle, so it’s important to slow down and ensure you take care of yourself through it all. 

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How is Life Tree(ting) You?

Life as a Graduate Student

Grad school is an exciting adventure, but it can also be a lot! Whether you’re diving back into academia after a break or juggling coursework with everything else in life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. In this article, we share tips to help you tackle the tough stuff like imposter syndrome, staying connected with loved ones, and building strong relationships with professors. With the right strategies, you can thrive academically while staying connected to what matters most!

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In the Spotlight

Managing Stress During the Election

With the election season growing closer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated. Difficult conversations with peers, family, and community members can leave us feeling more stressed than before. Striking a balance between fruitful discussion and divisive dialogue can be tough, but it’s important to find outlets that help you lessen your mental load, however that might look. Read on for our five tips on managing election stress and finding balance. 

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Tip of the Month

How to Use Activism as Self-Care

As tensions increase regarding global issues and politics, practicing self-compassion and care is incredibly important. Acknowledging our current reality can be stressful—do we have to separate ongoing problems from our personal lives to protect our peace? On the contrary, we can utilize activism to further our own mental health journey. As we engage with such issues, we can strengthen our community ties and personal values. Participating in activism means caring about yourself and others, but how can we use it as a form of self-care?

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What's Flourishing This Month?

Upcoming Events, Programs, and Workshops

(U) = undergraduate students, (G) = graduate students, (P) = postdocs, (A) = alumni, (S) = staff, (F) = faculty, (P/F) parents/families 

Student Grief and Loss Gathering

Wednesday, October 2 at 4:00 pm. If you are currently or have ever experienced the death of a significant person in your life or are experiencing feelings of grief in a time of uncertainty, this is an opportunity to share your experiences, suggestions, and concerns with others in a safe and supportive environment. 

How to Access

This session will be in person at CIRCLE Common Room (Old Union, 3rd floor, Room 302). No pre-registration is required. (Dates: 10/2, 10/30, 11/13) (U)(G)

School of Medicine BIPOC Student Support Group

Thursday, October 3 from 8:30 am - 9:30 am. This is a 6-session student-lead support group for School of Medicine BIPOC students, with two MHT clinicians serving as host facilitators. In this supportive space, students come as they are, share mutual support, and foster community. Students build tools to navigate academic and professional stressors, cope with anxiety, process issues rooted in systemic oppression, decrease impostor feelings, and process other student lead topics. This group is open to registered BioSci PhD/MS, MSPA, and MD students of all genders who identify as people of color. Group sessions are both virtual and in-person. 

How to Access

This group will take place on Thursdays from 8:30 am - 9:30 am. A pre-group meeting with a facilitator and registration is required. Sign up on the Vaden Portal. Go to “Groups and Workshops” and find "INTEREST_LIST_SOM_BIPOC Student Support_FALL Q." A facilitator will reach out to you to schedule a pre-group meeting. (Dates: 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7). Session 10/10, 10/24, and 11/7 will be in-person, all other sessions are virtual.) (G)

Rooted! Black Graduate Student Support Group

Thursday, October 10 from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Rooted! is a support group for Black-identified Stanford graduate students that is designed to be a confidential space for students to speak their minds, build community, rest, connect with themselves, and learn coping skills for managing graduate life at Stanford. 

How to Access

This group will be in person on Mondays from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Counseling and Psychological Services (Vaden Health Center, 2nd floor, CAPS Ed Center). Connecting with CAPS is required to join this group. Call CAPS at 650.723.3785 to schedule a pre-group meeting. (Dates: 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21) (G)

Dissertation Support Group

Monday, October 14 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. This six-session group will be a place to vent, meet other people like you, share goals and perspectives on navigating common themes (isolation, motivation, relationships), and learn some helpful coping skills to manage the stress of dissertation writing. 

How to Access

This group will take place on Mondays from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm via Zoom. Sign up on the Dissertation Support Group interest form. (Dates: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18) (G)

Questioning

Tuesday, October 15 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. A discussion, support, and community space series. Each meeting hopes to create space for a particular group to explore the unique experiences, challenges, and positives of questioning identity. Snacks provided. Learn more about Questioning.

  • 10/29: Questioning Bisexuality- a space for folx with questions about being attracted to multiple types of folx!
  • 11/12: Questioning Coming Out- a space for folx newly out, considering coming out, or those who are rethinking the whole paradigm of the closet!  

All are welcome to visit QSpot from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekdays. However, we ask that you join the discussion only if you identify with the week’s topic. Thank you for understanding!

How to Access

No RSVP necessary. Meetings will be held in person on Tuesdays from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at QSpot. (Dates: 10/15, 10/29, 11/12) (UG) (G)

Queer Yoga

Tuesdays, October 15 from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Join the Weiland Health Initiative, Well-Being, and YogaX in a queer community space of movement, group discussion and reflection time focused on yoga and life beyond. Our collaborative goal is to not only move, but to be moved! All bodies and identities are welcome! This class will be for all levels of yoga experience and will provide variations for poses and props to meet ALL body needs. Potential things needed: a willingness to let your intuition guide your movements :) We have extra mats, blocks, straps, and blankets to borrow!  

How to Access

This group will meet outside at Kingscote Gardens (weather permitting). No RSVP necessary. (Dates: Tuesdays, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19) (U)(G)(P)

Journeying

Tuesday, October 22 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Brought to you by QSR & Weiland Journeying 〰️🌀 A brave space where you can meet, connect, and build community! Snacks provided. Learn more about Journeying.

  • 10/22: Journeying while Aro/Ace
  • 11/5 Gender Journeying as Femme: for trans femme folks exploring gender!  A supportive space that encourages connection, sharing, and growth among those navigating similar journeys. Whether “newly out”, questioning, and everywhere in between, come to find community and compassion on your journey.
  • 11/19 Journeying while Neurodivergent  

All are welcome to visit QSpot 11 am - 5:00 pm on weekdays. However, we ask that you join the discussion only if you identify under the week’s identity. Thank you for understanding!

How to Access

No RSVP necessary. Meetings will be held in person on Tuesdays from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at QSpot. (Dates: 10/22, 11/5, 11/19) (UG) (G)

Sofa Sessions

Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30 pm. Sofa Sessions is a gathering for Black students to seek support regarding race-based stress, discuss issues impacting them, critical incidents on campus and/or nationwide, or are just in need of connection and community. Sofa Sessions will be on Tuesday, October 29th and November 12th at 5:30 pm at BCSC. CAPS is excited to hold this space again in partnership with Well-Being at Stanford and Black Community Services Center. Snacks will be provided. Learn more about Sofa Sessions.

How to Access

This group will meet in person on Tuesdays from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Black Community Services Center. Register at this link. (Dates: 10/29, 11/12) (UG) (G)

Student Grief and Loss Gathering

Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30 pm. If you are currently or have ever experienced the death of a significant person in your life or are experiencing feelings of grief in a time of uncertainty, this is an opportunity to share your experiences, suggestions, and concerns with others in a safe and supportive environment. Learn more about Student Grief and Loss Gatherings.

How to Access

This session will be in person on Wednesdays at CIRCLE Common Room (Old Union, 3rd floor, Room 302). No pre-registration is required. (Dates: 10/2, 10/30, 11/13) (UG) (G)

Fall 2024 QT Fund

Applications open October 21 - November 1. We created The QT Umbrella Assistance Fund (The QT Fund) as a systemic way to address and support students lived experience of being Non Binary/Trans/Queer and to acknowledge the specific financial hurdles students encounter and burdens they bear when navigating systems of inequity at Stanford and beyond. We strive to be rooted in transparency and equity, to not act as gatekeepers, and to trust students' processes, transitions, and lived realities. Learn more about the QT Fund.

How to Access

The Fall ‘24 QT Fund application is open October 21 - November 1, 2024 and closes at 5:00 pm. Apply on the QT Umbrella Assistance Fund (The QT Fund) Fall '24 Application form here. No late applications will be accepted. (U)(G)

Stanford Contemplation by Design Summit

October 23 - November 3. Join us to deepen your reservoir of skills that revitalize you and the people with whom you interact. Learn from leading contemplative science researchers while delighting in developing practical contemplative skills that develop resilience and wise compassion that support individual and societal healing and transformation.

How to Access

Register here for the FREE 2024 Contemplation by Design Summit, October 23 - November 3, 2024. (Space is limited for some in-person sessions; please register in advance.) The Stanford 2024 Contemplation by Design Summit’s 41 free sessions will present the evidence-based framework of contemplative science along with proven skills for contemplative practices that enliven the body and calm the mind to promote health and well-being for individuals and communities. See the 2024 Summit brochure for descriptions of each session. (Dates: varies) (UG) (G) (PD) (A) (S) (F) (P/F)

Contemplative Programs at the Office for Religious & Spiritual Life

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Join us for weekly opportunities to engage with others in the community for meditation and yoga. Open to Stanford affiliates. Learn more about Contemplative Programs.

How to Access

Opportunities will be in-person at Memorial Church (Mondays) and CIRCLE Sanctuary (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays). No RSVP necessary.  (Dates: varies, Mondays through Thursdays) (UG) (G) (PD) (A) (S) (F)

Stanford Arts Prescribing Program

Ongoing. The Stanford Arts Prescribing Program connects the Stanford community with arts & culture activities that support your individual health and well-being goals. Arts prescriptions are for everybody! We welcome anyone curious about the benefits of regular arts participation to participate in the program. 

How to Access

The Stanford Arts Prescribing Program will take place in person at various locations. Sign up here.(Dates: varies) (U)(G)

Flourish image collage of past events.

The Flourish

This online publication is your monthly guide to flourishing on the Farm. The Flourish provides you with tips, articles, and resources on key monthly health and wellness topics to support your mental health and well-being.