Stressed or want to relax and be able to focus?  Curious about mindfulness and how it can help?  Students and postdocs can schedule mindfulness coaching appointments individually or as a small group to explore, start and/or deepen a mindfulness practice.  See this mindfulness coaching handout for details, and call SHW at 503-494-8665, Option 1 to schedule.

Want to connect with your classmates and manage stress in a virtual space around a light-hearted topic?  Join the Science of Happiness, a research-informed series similar to some of the most popular courses ever taught at Harvard and Yale. We will explore topics shown in research to increase happiness, such as mindfulness, gratitude, self-compassion, acts of kindness, and resilience. This is a fun and interactive series with tangible takeaways you can apply in daily life! No prior experience or background knowledge is needed. 

• Open to OHSU students, their spouses/domestic partners, and postdocs
• Three-session series.  Offered several times a year.
• Email shw@ohsu.edu with any questions.

The next small group series begins the week of Jan. 29, 2024. Sign up now.

Interested in contributing to the well-being of your fellow OHSU students?  The Scholars of Wellbeing program aims to develop and nurture student leaders in wellness while centering your own well-being in the process. You can propose and lead and/or support with wellness projects in collaboration with Student Health to benefit the OHSU student community. 

Applications will re-open in the summer for the 2024-2025 cohort. View the full role description and email this brief application to Jen Cai at caije@ohsu.edu to apply or with any questions. 

Thank you to former (now graduated!) PA student and SHAC Co-Chair Lili Bornio Carrillo for her leadership in co-developing this offering. Check out our Scholars of Well-being page for more information!

Interested in having a wellness event for a student group, class, or meeting?  Student Health providers and staff can give presentations and lead activities on many wellness topics.  Some commonly requested topics include:

• Stress Management
• Mindfulness
• Resilience
• Impostor Syndrome
• Self-talk and self-compassion
• Training for faculty/staff on how to support students in crisis
• Brief overviews of Student Health services (approximately 5-10 minutes)
• Many other topics by request

Most sessions are approximately 1-2 hours, though we can often accommodate other requests as well.

Email our Wellness and Outreach Program Manager to request an event or discuss options.

• Visit the Wellness Resources page for helpful information and links on topics like emotional resilience, reproductive health, parenting, and more.
• The Self-massage and acupressure page has resources and videos on self-massage and self-acupressure. 
• OHSU's Confidential Advocacy Program is offering online, self-paced art therapy for OHSU members. See the CAP website for more information.
• OHSU has put together a list of places on campus where you can work or have a break while still being at a safe distance.
• OHSU follows the Skin Smart Campus principles.

Enjoy the benefits of sunshine even when it's cloudy and cold by borrowing light therapy lamps, which are available for pickup at the BICC Library or the Robertson Life Sciences Building Learning Resource Center.

Bright white fluorescent light has been shown to reverse the winter depressive symptoms of winter blues and SAD (formerly called Seasonal Affective Disorder, now known as depression with seasonal pattern). Light therapy can also be used for those with mild symptoms of winter mood changes including lethargy, carbohydrate craving, weight gain, and lack of motivation. The light therapy lamps are Verilux HappyLight lamps, model VT23.

Light therapy lamps can be requested in advance through the Library catalog, just like a book. Once making the reservation you will get an e-mail explaining how to schedule an appointment to come to pick them up at the BICC. If you prefer you can also arrange for a pickup at RLSB (may be able to pick it up later the same day, or could take up to 2 business days). If you want to pick up the light therapy lamp on the same day, you can also use the "Contact the Library" link on the library website and request it using the e-mail form.

Please note that light therapy requires precautions for people with certain conditions; please contact Student Health and Wellness to schedule an appointment if you have questions.

Read more about light therapy