The Flourish, February 2023

Learning to Love Yourself

Relationships are not always as easy as they seem. The month of February leads one to believe that relationships are easy and filled with big red hearts, boxes of chocolate, and LOVE. For many of us, though, it brings up insecurities, awkwardness, and anxiety whether we are in or not in a romantic relationship. Regardless of what relationship box you check off– self-love, single, in a relationship, it’s complicated– take the time necessary to build a healthy relationship with yourself.

This month we offer tips for strengthening your relationship with yourself (intrapersonal), as well as ways to foster better relationships with those around you (interpersonal)– whether it be a friend, peer, or significant other– and how to support them. We also explore ways to address anxiety and introduce a helpful tool to manage those anxious thoughts. Read on to learn how you can begin building caring relationships with yourself and those around you.

What’s Flourishing This Month?

Upcoming Events

• Thursday, February 2 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. PT - SHARE and WCC: Stalking Awareness Month Teach-In and Discussion. Join SHARE and the WCC teams to learn more about stalking and Stalking Awareness Month. A wide range of educational materials, such as informative videos and spoken-word poetry, will be shown, followed by a facilitated discussion afterwards. Learn what stalking can look like and how to be a better equipped upstander. Snacks and boba will be provided. RSVP today!
• Wednesday, February 8 at 4 p.m. PT - Student Grief and Loss Gathering. 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. The theme for February 8 is Relationships and Loss. This event is free and open only to Stanford students. Event to take place in the CIRCLE Common Room, Old Union 3rd floor.
• Saturday, February 11 at 6 p.m. PT - Gumbo Get Together. Cardinal Recovery is hosting a Gumbo Get Together on Saturday, February 11 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT in the Kennedy Great Room. 
• Sunday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m. PT - Sober Bowl. The Well House is hosting its 2nd annual Sober Bowl on Saturday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m. PT. Pizza will be provided, as well as a chance to win prizes! All are welcome to this substance-free event.
• Submit application by Sunday, February 12 - QT Fund. As part of QSR and Weiland’s mission to support the health and wellness of students in the queer and trans communities, the QT Fund is designed to support students’ access to gender and sexuality affirming medical, legal, and mental health services. Learn more and how to apply for a grant of up to $500. Applications open until Sunday, February 12, by 1 p.m. PT.
• Wednesday, February 15 at 12 p.m. PT - Grad 201: (For Those Going Through) Breakups, Heartbreak, and "Taking a Break" on Valentines'. Join others in the community to experience some healthy commiseration and connection, and pose your burning questions about love and loss to a campus Well-Being Coach and teacher (Donnovan Somera Yisrael ‘89). This workshop will be held both in-person (capped at 15 people) and via Zoom on Wednesday, February 15 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. PT. Yummy Valentine’s Day Treats will be served to add some sweetness to the bitterness.  ALL attendees will be entered into a lottery to receive a $25 gift card to Verve. 2 winners will be selected. Open to the Stanford Graduate Community (students and their partners). RSVP today!
• Wednesday, February 15 at 3 p.m. PT - FLI Support Space.This space is dedicated for any student who aligns with the FLI (First generation in your family to go to college and/or low income student at Stanford) identity. Come connect with peers to openly communicate about your experience in the campus community. Explore how your unique background intersects with your mental well-being and develop a safe place to be your authentic self. This group will meet on February 15 and March 7 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PT. Sign up today! The facilitator (Louisa Jacquez, LMFT) will contact you to share information on the upcoming meetings.
• Thursday, February 16 at 3 p.m. PT - Mixtape: Creativity and Mental Health Workshop for Black Students. This workshop series for Black creatives and creativity enthusiasts will help participants use their creative outlets as tools to manage life stressors. Workshops will be in-person on Thursdays from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PT (Dates are: 2/16, 3/2, 3/16). Attend one or all of the workshops, each will be a different creative modality. Sign up on the INTEREST LIST- for the workshop you are interested in (sign up for one or all of them) on this link. The facilitator (Bianca Aaron, LMFT) will reach out to you to give details on the meeting place.
• Wednesday, February 22 at 3:30 p.m. PT - Rooted! Black Graduate Students Process Space. 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. This weekly support group will meet on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. PT via Zoom (Remaining sessions are: 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15). To join, please contact CAPS at 650.723.3785 during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays) and ask for a pre-group meeting, or message your therapist/contact person at CAPS.
• Thursday, February 23 at 8:30 a.m. PT - Students of Color Support Space. This is a 5-session, student-lead virtual support group that takes place on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. PT (Remaining sessions are: 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16). Students will build tools to cope with academic and professional stressors, anxiety, issues rooted in systemic oppression, decrease impostor phenomenon, 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. Students can sign up on the “INTEREST_LIST_BIPOC Support Space_SOM_WINTER Q” in Vaden Portal rosters, in the "Groups and Workshops" section. A facilitator (Mariko Sweetnam, LCSW or Isela Garcia White, LCSW) will reach out to you.
• Monday, February 27 at 12:30 p.m. PT - Anxiety Toolbox. Learn about how stress and anxiety show up in your body, emotions, thoughts and behaviors, and gain skills to lower anxiety in each area. Increase your ability to manage anxious thoughts and develop skills to recognize the role of systems of oppression and conditioning in anxiety. Multiple dates and times available to attend this two part, 1-hour each virtual workshop. To join, please contact CAPS at 650.723.3785 during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays) and ask for a pre-group meeting, or message your therapist/contact person at CAPS.
• Monday, February 27 at 7 p.m. PT - NARCAN Training. FREE NARCAN trainings facilitated by PEERS and in collaboration with the Well House are available on various Mondays and Tuesdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Well House (562 Mayfield Ave., Stanford) through May (Remaining dates are: 2/27, 3/7, 3/13, 3/21, 3/27, 4/4, 4/10, 4/18, 4/24, 5/2, 5/8 and 5/16). Free NARCAN will be provided for attendees following the training. Please note that the Well House is a substance-free residence. RSVP today!
• Tuesday, February 28 at 2 p.m. PT - Seeking Safety. CST and CAPS presents Seeking Safety, an ongoing group designed to support individuals who struggle with behaviors that interfere with their ability to function and cope as a student. It is also helpful for difficulty with emotion regulation, impulsivity, and unhealthy coping. Sessions will be in-person on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. PT (Remaining sessions are: 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21). Connect with CAPS (Call 650.723.3785) or CST (Call 650.736.6933) and attend a pre-group meeting to find out more. You may also sign up on the INTEREST LIST at the Vaden Portal. Go to Groups and Workshops and find “INTEREST LIST: Seeking Safety” and add your name, a facilitator (Jennifer Maldonado, LCSW or Mari Evers, LCSW) will reach out to you.
• Tuesday, February 28 at 2:30 p.m. PT - Yoga as Healing. SHARE ED, YOGA X, and CST present Yoga as Healing, a free program for self-identified survivors of sexual and relationship violence/abuse/trauma who are ready to try gentle and restorative yoga as a healing modality (Remaining sessions are: 2/28, 3/7). Sessions to take place on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. PT. All necessary equipment will be provided. Space will be available for the first 10 interested students (of all genders and levels of experience with yoga) who email Carley Jaskulski at  carleyjaskulski@stanford.edu.
• FINAL SESSION! Tuesday, February 28 at 4 p.m. PT - Questioning at QSpot. A discussion, support, and community space series brought to you by QSR & Weiland. Explore the unique experiences, challenges, and positives of questioning identity. Sessions to take place in-person on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. PT. QSpot is located on the second floor of the Firetruck House. Please join the discussion only if you identify with the week’s topic. Snacks provided and no RSVP necessary!
• Monday - Thursday, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. PT - Yoga and Guided Meditation. Check out these weekly opportunities to engage with others in the community for meditation and yoga. Open to Stanford affiliates. Sessions are free and no pre-registration is required. Bring your own yoga mat for yoga sessions. Sessions to take place at CIRCLE Sanctuary, Old Union, 3rd floor.
• Monday, Wednesday - Friday, Sundays - Cardinal Weekly Recovery Meetings - Cardinal Recovery offers weekly recovery meetings to support you on your recovery journey: Mondays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, Queer All Recovery meetings, open to LGBTQIA+ members of the community in or interested in a recovery program. Wednesdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, SMART Recovery meetings, mutual support meetings where participants design and implement a personalized recovery plan to create a more balanced, purposeful, fulfilling, and meaningful life. Thursdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, All Recovery meetings, inclusive meetings open to all ages, genders, sexualities, races/ethnicity, spiritualities, and experiences, all are welcomed at ANY stage or state of your recovery journey. Fridays from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PT, All Recovery meetings, inclusive meetings open to all ages, genders, sexualities, races/ethnicity, spiritualities, and experiences, all are welcomed at ANY stage or state of your recovery journey. Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. PT, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a more formal, structured meeting for individuals seeking a 12-step approach to recovery. All meetings are available in a hybrid format (both in-person and virtual). For remote access, please email Corey Lamb. Learn more.

For additional upcoming events, check out the Office of Student Engagement