Health and Wellness Newsletter

Politics and Mental Health Support Group

The Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) is hosting drop in support groups for undergraduate and graduate students to connect and share about the impact of political unrest on mental health. These groups are co-led by BCC therapists who represent a range of identities.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 10am via Zoom
• Wednesday, May 8 at 3pm in person at the BCC

Email Addie at awyman@brandeis.edu with questions and to register.

Workshop: How To Find an Off-Campus Therapist

Looking for an off-campus therapist? Unsure about what to look for, how to find a therapist/psychiatrist/program, or how to navigate insurance?

Anna and Vanessa from the Brandeis Counseling Center are holding a workshop to walk you through the process and answer questions. Drop ins welcome!

Thursday May 2, 2024

3:00 PM

Brandeis Counseling Center, Mailman House

For questions or to sign up, email Anna at annameilman@brandeis.edu.

May Events with Headspace

Roundtable: Supporting Mental Health Awareness - Learn how to encourage and advocate for mental well-being— for yourself and others. (Live Workshop)

Thursday, May 16, 2024

12pm ET and 8pm ET

Sign Up

World Meditation Day: Celebrate mindfulness with a moment of calm. (Live Meditation)

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

12pm ET

Sign Up

Can’t make a session? Don’t worry — if you register, you’ll receive a link to the recording.

You do not need a Headspace account to attend, but remember that all Brandeis students can create an account for free.

Calming Meditation for Crisis Response: Taking One Next Step After Difficult Events

From Headspace:

"When we’re faced with difficult things, it’s natural to want to spend time alone and avoid other people to process our thoughts and feelings. In this calming visualization, Headspace Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Sam Snowden gently teaches us to take control over how we respond after challenging events. In this guided meditation, we’ll learn how to give our reactions to tough events space to breathe and practice self-compassion so that we can make a wise decision for our next steps."

It's Tick Season

Tick season is upon us. In early spring many ticks are in the nymph stage which is no bigger than a black speck and can easily be missed in your hair and clothing after outdoor exposure.

For outdoor activities we recommend using Permethrin to saturate your clothing before hiking or beach treks (where the ticks reside in the beach grass). Sleeping with dogs is also high risk.

Sometimes despite our best efforts we still get bitten and there is antibiotic prophylaxis available for you at the Student Health Center.

Learn more about ticks and tick borne illnesses

Sun Safety

As the warmer weather approaches, it's important to keep sun safety in mind. The sun's UV rays can cause damage to our skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

To enjoy the sun while minimizing these risks:

• Seek out shade and limit your time in direct sunlight whenever possible
• Apply at least 1 oz of sunscreen with at least SPF 15, even on cloudy or cooler days
• Remember to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially if you're sweating or swimming
• Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, hats, and sunglasses to provide extra protection.

By following these sun safety tips, you can enjoy the outdoors while keeping your skin healthy and protected.