You Matter At UNI

Occurs in September

The purpose of #YouMatterAtUNI is to increase the awareness of supportive resources, while celebrating the diversity of students and their experiences, in an effort to promote our students' sense of belonging on campus. This initiative is a part of national Suicide Prevention Week!

The week will consist of various events including (but not limited to) mental health trainings, lunch & learns, Instagram challenges and the launching of the Green Bandana Project. There will also be an Expressive Competition.

Something for Everyone -

View Last Years Activities Below

Lunch & Learn

Join us for for these interactive workshops. Bring your lunch and learn something new!

Gratitude & Self-Compassion

Participants will learn the benefits of self-compassion and gratitude as it relates to their emotional and social well-being while also having an opportunity to practice through engaging in interactive activities. Resources will be provided. Bring your lunch and engage in gratitude and self-compassion activities that are proven to increase happiness!
Maucker Union - Oak Room on lower level

Diversity's Role in Sense of Belonging

Let's join together and watch three short videos that focus on sense of belonging and diversity. After, we will have an open discussion about our own experiences and ways we can help foster a sense of belonging with others on campus, especially those that are different from one's self.

Non-western Mind & Body Healing

Develop self-compassion and self-esteem. Learn how to connect with yourself and with others to improve overall well-being. The session consists of two activities. Tibetan meditation: Explore one's mental workings through analytical meditation, improve concentration through single-pointment meditation, and learn how to be in the present moment. Belly Dancing: Learn to explores themselves freely through body movements, connect with themselves and others, and improve their self-esteem. Requirement: It's for everyone regardless of prior knowledge, experience, or ability.

Manage Stress Techniques: Deep Breathing & Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Participants will learn the benefits of deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation as it relates to their emotional and mental well-being while also having an opportunity to practice through engaging in interactive activities. Resources will be provided. Bring your lunch and engage in these mind-body relaxation techniques that are proven to decrease stress and activate the relaxation response!

Resources for Mental Health Awareness and Prevention Overview

Instagram Challenges

Guidelines: Post challenge on day of challenge, include hashtag #YouMatterAtUNI and tag @unisws and @uni_couns. Our favorite post of each day will win a prize! You will be notified through Instagram.

Monday
Connections = Sense of Belonging

Post to Instagram a tribute of someone you have connected with on campus, that has helped you feel a sense of belonging.

Tuesday
Celebrate Diversity

Post to Instagram a tribute of a person, place on campus, event, or memory at UNI that celebrates our diversity.

Wednesday
Meet Someone New

Post to Instagram a picture of you and a new person you met TODAY and engaged with. Building new connections, helps us grow our support networks, develop positive social and communication skill, and can help build our sense of belonging. Also, initiating connections with others help them know they matter.

Thursday
Act of Kindness

Post to Instagram a picture of some act of kindness you complete. Acts of kindness can make others feel good, but also make you feel good about yourself!

Friday
Campus Resources that benefit your mental health

Post to Instagram a picture representing a campus resource that benefits your mental health! Examples: WRC, counseling center, wellness coach, a student group your part of, staff in an office on campus that helps/mentors you, etc.

Expressive Competition

The Expressive Competition is for students to submit any type of art/media (e.g., paint, drawing, poetry, sculpture, dance, short play, music, video, etc.) that inspires others AND/OR is inspired by the objectives of #YouMatterAtUNI week.

Objectives:

Build Connections
Recognize Your Worth
Celebrate Diversity
Know and Use Resources on Campus that Benefit Your Mental Health

Submission Rules:

Submission needs to be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27 at 0016 Student Health Clinic or virtually to kaili.benham@uni.edu.
Media release form must be submitted with entry (link coming soon).
All types of arts welcome; paint, drawing, poetry, sculpture, dance, short play, music, video, etc.
Any video or performative submission (dance, music, play, etc.) must not be longer than 8 minutes.
Any literature submission must not be more than ten pages (double spaced).
Any submission can, but is not required to, submit a written description (no more than 250 words) of their art.

Winners:

A panel of judges (TBD) will select a winner and announce them via Instagram accounts @swsuni and @uni_couns on Friday, March 3.

Top three submissions after the winner will be posted to Instagram for a Student Choice Vote on Friday, March 3 and the winner announced via Instagram on Monday, March 6.

Winners of both the judges choice and student vote will receive a $75 Target Gift Card and have their name, picture and art submission featured in the Northern Iowan Newspaper the week of March 6.

Mental Health Trainings & Group Counseling

Mental Health Trainings (registration preferred but not required)

Mental Health Ally Training (two-parts)

Training will allow you to create a culture of care and help-seeking behaviors related to mental health. If you are available for Part I but not Part II during this week, the second part can be completed at another time that better fits your schedule.

Part I: Date and Location redacted

Learn mental health basics, warning signs, causes, cultural differences, myths and facts, and effects mental health can have on students.

Part II: Date and Location redacted

Learn to address the mental health stigma, create a culture of care, increase help-seeking behavior, how to start conversations about mental health and how be an Ally.

Art of Mindfulness

This introductory workshop explores the concept of mindfulness, including what mindfulness is, how it can be beneficial, and how to practice living more mindfully.

V.A.R. by the Green Bandana Project

Interest Campaign
The Green Bandana Project provides V.A.R. training specifically to students interested in pledging to reduce the stigma around mental health, help people deal with everyday struggles, raise awareness around suicide prevention, and provide resources.

Campus Partners Initiatives

More Coming Soon!

Yoga Class This 60-minute yoga flow is intended to serve as a gentle reminder of your inherent belonging, not just on the UNI campus, but in all aspect of your life. Through breath work, tactile connection, a series of grounding movements and self-love mantras, may we set the intention to move together as a community, in reverence to our mind-body connection, as well as all those around us. No prior yoga or meditation experience is required to attend. Simply come exactly as you are!

QPR Training with THRIVE Peer Mentors/Mentees

Color & Connect with Noehren Hall, Rider Hall, and Hagemann Hall