Health and Wellness Newsletter

Fresh Check Day!

Mark your calendars for Fresh Check Day on September 20th! This vibrant event is all about promoting mental health and well-being in a fun and engaging way. Join us on the Great Lawn for interactive booths, exciting activities, and valuable resources designed to support and uplift everyone in our community.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about mental health, connect with others, or just enjoy a day of positive vibes, Fresh Check Day has something for everyone:

• Interactive booths
• Free giveaways
• Ice cream & snacks
• Photo booth
• Crafts & activities
• Chance to win big prizes like a Nintendo Switch Lite or AirPod Pros!

If you are interested in volunteering, please use the sign up form.

Friday, September 20 | 11 am - 2 pm ET | SCC Great Lawn | Rain: SCC Atrium

Cooking Together

Join Hindu & Dharmic Chaplain and Yoga instructor Partha Biswas to prepare and feast on delicious healthy food. All are welcome. This will be a great opportunity to learn about the 6-week Yoga Hub Basic Certificate Program.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Dharmic Prayer Space, 317 SCC

Register here

Fall Therapy Groups at the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC)

The BCC's fall therapy group schedule is posted on their website. All BCC therapy groups are 45-minutes long and are offered in-person. Groups are open to both undergrads and grad students unless noted. Check out some of the options:

• The Anxiety Society (Undergrad)
• Art Therapy for Undergraduate Students
• First Year Undergraduate Support Group
• Healthy Relationships Group
• International Student Group
• SWAWN (Spoken Words and Wellness Noise) Men of Color Group
• Transcend: A Space for Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Questioning Students

Learn more and sign up

Reproductive Justice Week

Don't miss the following programs addressing the ongoing fight for reproductive justice. For more information about these programs or to get involved, please reach out to Charlotte Powley.

Bad Old Days Posse

What was it like before we had the legal right to abortion care? The Bad Old Days Posse are a group of women who are telling their stories about life before Roe v. Wade and communicating their fears about what will happen now that it’s been overturned.

September 18, 2024

4 pm - 5:30 pm

Liberman-Miller Lecture Hall at the Women's Studies Research Center, Epstein building

Movie Screening: Periodical

Periodical tells the unexpected story of the human body by exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle, from first period to last. But this is not your middle school sex-ed class. In this documentary, doctors, athletes, movie stars, journalists, activists and everyday people explore the science, politics and mystery of the menstrual cycle. Periodical is for everyone who wants to know more about the menstrual cycle, and especially for those who don’t. This event also offers food, raffles, and trivia games.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

5 pm - 7 pm

SCC Multipurpose Room, 2nd floor

Movie Screening: At Your Cervix

At Your Cervix breaks the silence about how medical and nursing students learn to perform pelvic exams in the U.S. The film exposes how students are often taught on unconscious patients without their knowledge or consent. At the same time it offers an empowering solution that will revolutionize how pelvic exams are performed in schools and clinics across the country. Snacks and refreshments provided.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

6 pm - 8 pm

SCC Multipurpose Room, 2nd floor

Combating Back to School Anxiety with Effective Planning

Whether it's your first year or your last year, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about going back to school after the break. Here are some things you can do to set yourself up for success!

Establish a routine: Write your weekly schedule on a whiteboard or calendar, and allocate specific time slots for homework. Make sure your routine that takes into account your other responsibilities, such as part-time work or club commitments. Make it realistic and manageable, and avoid overwhelming yourself.

Take care of yourself: Plan time to rest, eat balanced meals, and exercise. Everything will feel harder if you don't properly care for your well-being and take the time necessary for rest. You can achieve this by setting goals for yourself, such as:

• Eating 3 meals per day
• Filling and drinking your water bottle 2 times per day
• Trying out a fitness class at Gosman once per week

Get involved: Participate in extracurricular activities to expand your network and make new connections. Brandeis offers numerous opportunities to interact with others, and getting involved in activities, sports or clubs is a great way to meet people who share similar interests.

Keep a planner: Keep a planner for homework assignments, test dates, essay topics, and even small details like how to submit your paper. This way, you don’t have to remember everything. Just write it down! You can also use your planner to create your own early due dates, rather than the ones your instructor assigns. This way you won't leave things until the last minute.

Seek mentors: Mentors can help you identify your strengths and suggest ways to improve throughout your college career. Seek out your academic advisor or attend your professor's office hours to start building connections. You can also keep in contact with friends, mentors, and family back home so you can feel connected to your supports outside of Brandeis. Additionally, if you ever need to talk to someone, the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) has great people to talk to.

Learn more about how to relieve stress from this Headspace article.

Everyone is rooting for you! You got this.

Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month and September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This month highlights the need for open conversations about mental illness, reduces stigma, and encourages those struggling to seek help. It also honors the lives lost to suicide and supports those affected by it. Through education, outreach, and support, Suicide Awareness Month aims to foster a sense of community, reminding everyone that they are not alone and that help is available.

If you want to learn more or get involved on campus, come to Fresh Check Day on September 20th! You can also visit the National Suicide Prevention Month website for opportunities to advocate for suicide prevention policy initiatives at the state and federal level.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help.

• Contact the Brandeis Counseling Center at 781-736-3730
• Call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988
• If you are ever concerned about someone's safety, call Public Safety at 781-736-3333 (on campus) or 911 off campus.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Try this free, 5 minute Headspace meditation for calming overwhelmed feelings. Give yourself a little space when you're feeling overwhelmed.

Watch on Youtube

Alcohol Check In

Curious to learn more about your drinking habits and how they compare to your peers? Take this quick, confidential alcohol assessment, offering personalized feedback to help you better understand your drinking habits and their potential impact on your health and academic performance. Taking control of your wellness starts with awareness—take the assessment and gain valuable insights to support a healthier lifestyle.

Get your personalized feedback