Thrive@Cornell

Monthly Newsletter to Support Health & Well-being_3.1.23

Dear community,

Dear community,

We hope you were able to enjoy the February Break and are returning to campus feeling refreshed and ready for the next set of academic priorities.


The month of March brings with it the return of daylight savings time (aka longer days and more sunlight - yea!), and the official start to Spring in the northern hemisphere. As we begin to trade our heavy winter coats for lighter jackets, we invite you to spring into Spring with this entertaining and light-hearted video: ‘DO A WHEELIE’ Danny MacAskill | adidas Five Ten - YouTube.


In this month's newsletter we highlight spaces, activities and stories to begin to bring a sense of Spring renewal, hope and lightness into your days.


In community,
The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health
part of Student and Campus Life at Cornell University

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Dear community,

Resource Spotlight

Cornell's LGBT Resource Center

The LGBT Resource Center coordinates efforts to ensure the inclusion of all LGBTQ+ students and works to eliminate discrimination based upon sexual or romantic orientation, gender identity or expression. The LGBT Resource Center provides advocacy, outreach, education, support, and community to LGBTQ+ students of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences.


Growthshops Discussion Series
Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm | March 7-April 18 | LGBT Resource Center (3rd Floor of 626 Thurston Ave.)
Growthshops is a dinner discussion series that meets for six consecutive weeks throughout the semester with a cohort of 15 undergrads and grad students to talk about personal identity as it relates to LGBTQIA+ identities and personal wellness. Join us for good conversation and free catered dinners (provided to all registered Growthshop participants throughout the course of the program)!

Well-Being Profile: Student Mental Health Collective

Well-Being Profile: Student Mental Health Collective


The Student Mental Health Collective (SMHC), a group of well-being focused student organizations at Cornell, banded together as part of the Student Mental Health Review to collaborate on mutual interests and collectively promote health and well-being across campus. Working together throughout the academic year, the Collective supports their peers and promotes well-being of all types.


To enhance student awareness of campus organizations, advocate peer-to-peer discussion in the support of student well-being, and reduce the stigma of mental illness, the Collective launched a partnership with Student and Campus Life at the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. Further, this fall, Cornell adopted the Okanagan Charter, becoming the first Ivy to identify as a Health-Promoting Campus. These organizations all played a role in furthering the Okanagan Charter framework across Cornell’s campus and throughout the student community.


Each of these organizations offer students the potential to grow valuable leadership skills along with opportunities to engage with and impact the ways students support their own well-being. Learn more here.

Well-Being Profile: Student Mental Health Collective
Cornell Repatriates Remains ​​​​​​​to the Oneida Indian Nation

Cornell Repatriates Remains ​​​​​​​to the Oneida Indian Nation

With apologies for causing harm and to right a wrong of history, Cornell returned ancestral remains that were kept on campus for six decades to the Oneida Indian Nation. Read more here: Cornell repatriates remains ​​​​​​​to the Oneida Indian Nation

Cornell Repatriates Remains ​​​​​​​to the Oneida Indian Nation

Spring Comes to Cornell's Botanic Gardens & Natural Areas

Cornell Botanic Gardens awakens with the earliest blooms of spring, waterfalls flow with melted snow. Gardens and grounds are open every day, from dawn to dusk. Maps & Directions


Early signs of spring are emerging in the Cornell Botanic Gardens and natural areas —ice melts away on Beebe Lake, Cascadilla Creek flows freely through the gorge, and snow drops push their way through the earth, sprinkling the ground with tiny blooms.


The Nevin Welcome Center hosts interpretive exhibits, a reception desk, and fully accessible restrooms and is open Tuesday – Saturday: 11am – 4pm.


The current exhibit, Seeds of Survival and Celebration tells stories of the knowledge, skill, and resilience of enslaved Africans, their descendants, and today’s Black community and their deep connections to plants and the cuisines they inspired.


Learn more: https://guides.library.cornell.edu/blacks_plants

"A Peace of My Mind" at CVM


The College of Veterinary Medicine is welcoming award-winning artist John Noltner and his project, "A Peace of My Mind" to explore the meaning of community. Using portraiture, exhibits, workshops, and lectures, Noltner leades transformative experiences that help a polarized world rediscover the common humanity that connects us.


You're cordially invited to enjoy an exhibit of Nolnter's work, which will be on display in the CVM Takoda's Run Atrium from 9am-5pm, February 27-March 3, as well as attend a free capstone talk on March 2, 12:15-1:15pm in CVM Lecture Halls 4 & 5.

Save-the-Date

Tatkon Center has teamed up with the Masters of Public Health Program for March Wellness Wednesday.

Tatkon Center has teamed up with the Masters of Public Health Program for March Wellness Wednesday.

Wednesday March 22nd, 7-8pm; 101 RPCC


Join us for an interactive workshop developed by public health students where students will have the opportunity to engage in activities and receive give-aways to promote their wellness.


This session is geared towards achieving a multi-faceted approach to wellness. We will explore tips, tricks, and methods to achieving wellness in areas of sleep, movement, connection, and fuel. Students who are interested in public health related fields can have the opportunity to engage with public health students and faculty in the Cornell MPH program.


Register here: https://cglink.me/2ee/r1944051

Tatkon Center has teamed up with the Masters of Public Health Program for March Wellness Wednesday.

Try Something New: Group Therapy

All CAPS groups are free. See a sampling below of some of the groups offered and the ways to sign up for a group orientation. See all Spring '23 Group Program offerings here: https://health.cornell.edu/services/mental-health-care/group-counseling


Tools For Feeling Better: 4-Week Group

  • Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:45 pm via Zoom in two four-week cycles: 1st cycle: March 8, 15, 22, 29; 2nd cycle: April 12, 19, 26 and May 3
  • Open to undergraduate and graduate / professional students
  • Four weekly sessions – no drop-ins; group orientation required
  • Facilitators: Sheila Singh, PhD & Joy Mushabac, LCSW-R

This four-session group teaches students some evidence-based mindfulness practices to help them deal more effectively with difficult thoughts and feelings. Students can expect that over the course of this group they will increase their capacity to manage life’s challenges with greater skillfulness allowing them to put more energy toward doing what gives their lives value, meaning and purpose.


Student of Color Support Group

  • Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am via Zoom, dates March 2 through April 27
  • Open to undergraduate and graduate / professional students
  • Weekly semester group – no drop-ins; group orientation required
  • Facilitators: Tessa Friedeborn, LCSW and Hannah Priestley, LMSW

This weekly processing group will provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss topics such as what it is like to be a person of Color at Cornell University, mental health, emotional well-being, culture, and intersectional identities and experiences. Other topics welcome from group participants. This group is for any student who identifies as Black, Indigenous or Person of Color (BIPOC).


LGBTQ+ Support/Process Group for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

  • Mondays, 3:00-4:30 pm via Zoom, beginning March 6
  • Open to undergraduate and graduate / professional students
  • Weekly semester group – no drop-ins; group orientation required
  • Facilitators: Alison Bliss, LCSW and Dani Keenan, LCSW

Have you ever wanted a safe space to explore and talk with others about the challenges and joys related to your sexuality and/or your gender identity? If so, this group is an opportunity for you to do just that. We will meet on a weekly basis in a confidential and affirming group to talk, connect with each other, and offer emotional support. We will explore themes that are relevant to your life such as relationships with family and friends, dating, coming out, being out, transitioning, and ways to embrace all of who you are. Lastly, this group is open to other topics, such as depression, anxiety, etc., not related to one’s sexual orientation. We want you to bring all of who you are.


Building Resiliency with DBT Skills

In this 6-week condensed DBT skills group you will learn the 4 main components of DBT: skills and strategies to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, how to manage your emotions, how to deal with difficult situations effectively, manage conflict, and how to build relationships through psychoeducation and homework. Weekly group attendance is required.


Graduate Substance Use Strategies & Support: Find What Works For You

So maybe you smoke, maybe you drink, and maybe you do other drugs... but you're noticing some drawbacks. Some people might benefit from reducing their use, some might want to stop altogether, and others might just be more intentional about how and when they use. Let's talk about it and find what works for you. This group will provide a safe and empowering place to talk about substance use, notice patterns, and identify individual goals. Discussion will revolve around values and motivations, exploring behaviors that support the life you want to have and the person you want to be.


How to schedule a group orientation, or to learn more about a group you're interested in:

  • If you’re already seeing a counselor at Cornell Health, you may ask them about joining a group.
  • If you already have an "Access" appointment scheduled, you may ask the Access counselor about joining a group.
  • You may schedule a "group counseling orientation" yourself online at myCornellHealth (go to "Appointments").
  • You may also call Cornell Health during business hours at 607-255-5155 for assistance in scheduling a group orientation.

Don't Go It Alone: Help Is Available 24/7

Help is available any time day or night by connecting with the following resources. You don't have to be in crisis to take advantage of these free opportunities to speak or chat with a trained professional or volunteer who can listen to your concerns, and offer insight and advice.


Cornell (24/7):


Ithaca hotlines (24/7):

National hotlines (24/7):

National text / chat services (24/7):

International services: