Compassion in Action
Durga Thakral, GSAS/Yale School of Medicine ‘20
This project is a five-part series on expressing and exploring the essence of compassion to help students reconnect with themselves, maintain healthy interactions with the world around them, and develop resilience in the face of the stressful situations by exploring inner peace and purpose. These workshops include discussions on compassion and nature, creative projects, and local service opportunities.
Puzzles Bring Relaxation
Christina Drexler, Yale College ‘18
Working on jigsaw puzzles has been demonstrated to provide psychological, cognitive, and social benefits. This project is centered on providing undergraduates with the opportunity to enjoy these benefits and share in the joy of jigsaw puzzles for study breaks! Working on jigsaw puzzles require continuous activities from both sides of the brain, improving concentration, short-term memory, and creativity as well as supporting natural dopamine production. This activity facilitates conversation and socialization between group members but also allows the space for quiet and peacefulness.
#BlackMenDream
Shikeith Cathey, Yale School of Art ‘18
The goal of this project is to share and engage the community in a conversation about #Blackmendream, a documentary and social practice project created in 2014 by Shikeith Cathey. #Blackmendream deals with the emotional health of black men today and their struggles with depression. The film reveals black men who talk openly about their true feelings, fears and anxieties, and how their peers, family, society at large, and the pressure of living up to the acceptable image of what a black man is supposed to be, conspire to not allow them to live an authentic life true to themselves. The 45-minute documentary screening will be opened to all in February 2017 and will be followed by a panel discussion.
Yale POC Meditation and Healing Space
Rahil Rojiani, Yale School of Medicine ‘18
This initiative will hold space every other week for Yale undergraduate and graduate student of color for community care and healing. The sessions will be held on Thursdays at 7pm, rotating through the cultural houses. The workshops will introduce topics and skillsets that specifically increase self-awareness, compassion, and resilience within the Yale communities of color.
Massage Technique Workshops
Hien Chi Tong, Yale School College ‘18
This project is focused on teaching undergraduates massage techniques that will help them reduce stress and body pain that comes from the increasing amount of time that students spend working at the computer. Massage therapy has also been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure, relax muscles, and increase the production of endorphins. All four sessions of the 90-minute workshop are open to undergraduates.
Self-care Through Earth-care
Emily Sigman, Yale School of Forestry ‘18
In partnership with the Yale Community Forest Garden, this project hopes to provide students with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of the campus landscape and key native medicinal and edible plants. The Yale Community Forest Garden is designed and stewarded with the express goal of providing a place for respite, relaxation, contemplation, and natural communing, while also serving as an educational opportunity and space for holistic learning. Through thoughtful landscaping, couple with community events and workshops, this projects aims to teach students how this system works ecologically and how they can engage with the garden to benefit their own health and well-being.
11/7
David Langdon, Yale School of Architecture ‘18
The Yale School of Architecture student inclusivity group, OutLines, will host two school-wide study breaks during Spring 2017 midterms and finals. These breaks will provide undergraduate and graduate architecture students with an opportunity to decompress during a very stressful time.
Karaoke Nights
Anna Wane, Yale College ‘17
This African-music themed karaoke night series seeks to provide an open space for Yale African students and affiliates through food and music.
Puppies, Pumpkins, and Playhouses
Yale College Sophomore College Council
A gathering to foster the mental, emotional, and social well-being of the Yale College Sophomore class.
West Campus Wellness Days
Lynmarie Knight, School of Nursing ‘17
A series of gatherings to foster the mental, emotional, and social well-being at the School of Nursing
For Self and For Others
Heaven Berhane, Divinity School ‘18
A series of gatherings aimed at addressing the emotional and mental wellbeing in the Yale-New Haven Black community.