top of page

Seasons



November 2021

As the seasons of family gatherings and school breaks are coming up, Stronger Together wanted to touch on ways to combat some mental health issues that surrounds it.  National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that approximately 24% of people with a diagnosed mental illness find that this upcoming season make their condition “a lot” worse and 40% “somewhat” worse.   Not everyone will have a great family situation or would have family to share with (like an international student).  To help with some of these issues, Stronger Together will touch on holidays coming up as they are celebrated around the world and to build a virtual community so that no one feels alone.

​

This might be useful for to send to your friends and family before a large get together during holidays. “10 things you shouldn’t ask Grad Students over the Holidays” https://gradschool.louisiana.edu/blog/10-things-you-shouldn%E2%80%99t-ask-grad-students-over-holidays

In this month’s module, we will discuss how the changing seasons and holidays can influence mental health and well-being.

 

We hope that you continue engaging with this content beyond the end of the module.

Family Video Call

Family Video Call

Image by Anthony Tran

Image by Anthony Tran

Fun with Snow

Fun with Snow

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

Image by Christian Erfurt

Image by Christian Erfurt

Image by Debora Pilati

MODULE 1

Practicing Gratitude
November 1 - 6, 2021

Robert Emmons, psychology professor and gratitude researcher at the University of California, Davis, explains that there are two key components of practicing gratitude

Affirm

Acknowledge

We affirm the good things we’ve received

We acknowledge the role other people play in providing our lives with goodness

There are different ways that you can practice gratitude

Use a gratitude

gratitude with others

Have a

Journal

Share

Meditate

Routine

Image by Debora Pilati

MODULE 2

Giving Back
November 7 - 13, 2021

Did you know that giving back helps you feel good?  Giving back can also help in understanding your community and what is going on.

It is statistically proven that people who volunteer regularly are healthier both physically and mentally. Individuals who have volunteered throughout their lifetime typically live longer and have better psychological well-being. In addition to the health benefits, volunteering gives people a sense of purpose. The fulfilling feeling of giving back and contributing to society is unparalleled.

In addition to all the benefits giving back has, you can also meet new people and having a community that is focusing on giving back to the community!

Image by Debora Pilati

MODULE 3

Setting Resolutions
November 14 - 20, 2021

Whether you celebrate the Lunar New Year, Songkran, Muharram or New Year’s Eve, this is usually a time where family, love ones  and friends gather to celebrate and mark the ending of the year and beginning of a new year. This can also be the time to reflect on the past year in Grad School, and look ahead into the new year to come. 

Picture1.png

We have gathered some questions to inspire your New Year Resolutions

  • What do you take with you into 2022 and what will you leave behind? 

  • What good things have occurred the last year ( e.g. small or big victories)?

  • What milestones have you accomplished?

  • What are you proud of for accomplishing this year (e.g. publishing a paper)? 

  • What new things have you learned about your project or yourself this year?

  • What didn’t go as planned and what do you learn from it? 

  • What are your goals for next year?

  • What events or activities do you look forward to next year?

  • If you have to choose one thing, what will you focus on next year?

bottom of page