In this time of uncertainty and stress, we all need different types of support, so for this session we’re trying something new. To better facilitate care and the well-being of our community, we’re offering a variety of experiences based on your interests and needs. During the dialogue portion of the event, you can choose to:
- Participate in an activity
- Engage in a dialogue
- Explore the Resource Fair
Below is more information about the options for each. You’ll have time to participate in two.
Activities
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Learn restorative yoga to practice in the office or classroom – A mental health clinician with University Counseling and Psychological Services will teach you the basics of restorative yoga, utilizing meditation, mindfulness and light stretching. You can practice in the office or classroom, no mat needed!
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Bodies, movement and creative play in times of stress – Move through a series of fun physical and creative activities, and explore unique ways to express, destress and foster community.
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Cultivating hope in uncertain times through poetry – “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops -- at all,” writes Emily Dickinson. This table conversation will reflect on the power of and need for hope, what that looks like now, and how it might be cultivated among our DePaul community.
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Drawing on uncertainty, taking the time, trusting the process – Participants will be asked to draw with pencils on paper. The exercise will focus on seeing the objects on the table, translating them into marks on the paper, and staying present through the process. No previous drawing experience is necessary.
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Envisioning calm: Mindfulness meditation to center yourself – Learn and practice the basics of mindfulness meditation as a way to unlock your own capacity for relaxation and calm. (In the Green room)
Dialogues
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Staying informed with the news and staying sane – In a political and media environment marked by extreme volatility and uncertainty, how can we stay productively engaged while safeguarding our well-being and resilience?
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Staying informed with the news and staying sane – Same as above
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Identifying changes to our work environment – In times of crisis, when "carrying on" becomes challenging, we have opportunities to examine what we need to sustain us at work and how we might organize work differently to ensure our sustainability and resilience alongside our "productivity." This table dialogue makes space for conversations around what is helping, what is hindering, and what might evolve to mitigate overwhelm and maximize survival.
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Identifying changes to our work environment – Same as above
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Taming waves: Helping students navigate uncertainty – Students are entering and exiting university life with unanswered questions around their education, the socio-political climate, and the growing use of AI to name a few. We'll reflect on our own experiences and how this can empower us to better support our students, learn best practices, and identify tangible tools that we can offer students while they navigate uncertainty.
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Taming waves: Helping students navigate uncertainty – Same as above
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This time and impact on marginalized communities – This space will provide individuals an opportunity to share concerns, resources, and knowledge of the ways our current social and political context is affecting marginalized communities.
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Collective action in Chicagoland – What is compelling you into action right now? What forms might collective action and resistance take (from small scale to large scale)? If you have been involved, share stories and tell us what it has looked like/felt like. If you haven’t but want to, share what makes it hard. And finally, we'll share steps and resources to move us toward expanding our collective action and resistance.
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Aligning academics with student mental well-being – How can DePaul nurture both academic growth and mental well-being without compromising either? This panel opens a thoughtful dialogue on the evolving relationship between education and student mental health. Through shared experiences, best practices, and open conversation, we will explore the tensions, questions, and possibilities at the heart of this balance. Together, we’ll consider how DePaul might better support the whole student in a time of growing complexity.
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Community as a driver of work-life harmony – At this table, participants will reflect on their current experiences of work-life harmony and share challenges and opportunities. We will explore strategies creating greater alignment, with an emphasis on the role of cultivating community as a tool to support greater meaning, fulfillment, and success in all parts of life.
Resource Fair
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Acts of Loving Kindness: A space to reflect on the importance of kindness in an aching world. Share your thoughts and commit to kindness.
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Meet University Counseling and Psychological Services: Office hours with clinicians – Come and chat with UCAPS clinicians, who are available for one-on-one conversations. Ask questions about how to talk about mental health in the classroom, ways to support your students’ mental health, and more.
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International Student and Scholar Services
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Human Resources: Blue Cross Blue Shield
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Human Resources: ComPsych
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Human Resources: Bright Horizons
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Human Resources
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Supporting Student Survivors --The offices of Health Promotion and Wellness and Gender Equity will have information on how to respond to student disclosures of sexual and/or relationship violence.
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Chat with Health Promotion and Wellness --Learn more about the resources and services at the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness provided for the students through an interactive, chatterbox activity.
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Center for Students with Disabilities
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Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity
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Meeting at the Mission --Connect with DMM staff to explore how our programming and events help faculty, staff and students build community and find purpose.
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The Ray
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Demon Discounts –This table will highlight the various discounted products and service, including health and wellness, from vendors available to faculty, staff, and students.
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Mindfulness Leader –Learn about the Mindfulness Leader program and app that is available to the DePaul community.