Explore resources to boost your mental well-being
As we transition into a new semester, it is important that we check in with ourselves to make sure our mental and emotional needs are met. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we invite you to explore available resources and upcoming events to improve your well-being.
On-Demand Resources
A limited number of subscriptions to Calm Health — a mindfulness app that features pre-recorded audio content designed to help manage stress, anxiety and insomnia — are still available to UF faculty and staff, with sign-ups offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The UF Employee Assistance Program offers mental health talk therapy, department presentations and general resources to consult whenever and wherever you need them. Make an appointment with one of our on-campus therapists for help developing coping skills, self-care strategies and more.
Having a healthy workplace environment can benefit our mental well-being. Watch a recording of UF EAP Therapist Devin Shorey’s webinar to discover strategies for handling workplace conflict and learn how to create a better work environment.
Explore our Resilience and Emotional Well-being Toolkit for support in navigating some of life’s most common challenges. Packed with resources curated from various UF departments, this toolkit offers guidance on managing anger, regulating emotions, coping with anxiety, practicing self-care and overcoming depression, among other essential topics.
Browse GatorCare’s Emotional Wellness Resources for sleep, mood and mindfulness resources that can help you improve your emotional well-being.
Incorporating wellness into your daily routine can help you manage your stress and anxiety levels, improve your mood and energy, and reduce the likelihood of illnesses. Explore our Employee Wellness Series to help you boost your health and overall well-being.
On the lookout for new listening material? Tune in to the Well at UF podcast, featuring wellness content by UF experts to help improve your health and well-being.
Get started with these episodes:
- Recognizing and Preventing Workplace Burnout with David Chesire, Ph.D.
- Mental Health Stigma – Depression and Anxiety with Catherine Striley, Ph.D.
Explore more wellness resources on the Worklife at UF website under Get Healthy.
Upcoming Events
Ease My Mind | May 1 – June 12
Hosted by GatorCare
Join this six-week wellness program focused on effective stress management techniques. Through daily texts and engaging activities, you’ll learn valuable skills to navigate the pressures of life and enhance your mental well-being.
Guided Nature Walk | May 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Hosted by GatorCare
Escape the hustle and bustle and reconnect with the great outdoors on a rejuvenating nature walk! Guided by Michael Andreu, Ph.D., a UF professor and expert naturalist, this walk will not only offer a peaceful retreat but also an opportunity to learn about Florida’s diverse ecosystem and how to identify different species.
Mental Health in the Workplace | May 4 at noon
Hosted by Talkspace
Join Talkspace experts for an informative webinar on Mental Health in the Workplace. This session will cover common mental health diagnoses, signs that someone may be struggling and practical ways to offer support and connect others with helpful resources.
Faculty & Staff Lunchtime Yoga Classes | May 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 12:15 p.m.
Hosted by UFHR Communications & Worklife
Join Kim Holton, Ph.D., instructional associate professor for the Department of Health Education and Behavior, every Tuesday for a lunchtime yoga class. Classes are held in the Ustler Hall Atrium and are appropriate for all levels of experience. No registration required.
Ask the Dietitian: Foods for mental health | May 6 at 1 p.m.
Hosted by Florida Blue
Join Lauren Dimitrov, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Florida Blue, to explore the connection between nutrition and mental well-being and learn how certain foods can support your mental health.
Healing from Compassion Fatigue | May 11 at noon
Hosted by Talkspace
Join Talkspace experts for Healing from Compassion Fatigue, a supportive webinar focused on understanding what compassion fatigue is, how it can impact your well-being and practical steps you can take to move toward healing and restoration.
Preventing Cognitive Decline | May 12 at 1 p.m.
Hosted by Florida Blue
Age gracefully by taking care of your mind and take steps to prevent dementia. Join the Better You Team to learn the signs of memory loss and declining mental function. We’ll review what to watch for along with early detection tests and lifestyle factors that can preserve brain health.
Silence to Support: Navigating Depression and Anxiety with Compassion | May 13 at 3:30 p.m.
Hosted by Calm Health
Join Calm ambassador Raymond Braun, NAMI ambassador Josh Bassett, and Kaiser Permanente psychiatrist Asha Patton Smith, M.D., for a powerful conversation that gets back to basics about mental health. You’ll learn how to recognize mental health symptoms in yourself and your loved ones, as well as how to navigate conversations about professional help with sensitivity.
Gainesville Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride | May 17 at 10 a.m.
Hosted by Gainesville Harley-Davidson and Easy Riders of North Central Florida
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride unites classic and vintage-style motorcycle riders from all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The Gainesville ride will include UF faculty, staff and students.
Sound Bath Meditation | May 18 at noon
Hosted by GatorCare
This is an immersive listening experience where nothing is required of you! You may wish to lay down or sit upright on a mat or in a chair. The purpose of this session is to provide an opportunity for deep relaxation. Participation is limited.
Early Signs Matter: Strategies for Supporting Youth Mental Health | May 20 at 1 p.m.
Hosted by Calm Health
Join Calm Health for a special virtual event featuring the Chief Wellbeing Officer for Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Angie Myers, M.D., and child and family psychologist Alison Stoner, Ph.D., as they discuss:
- Insights on building an organizational culture that prioritizes mental health
- The economic impact of youth mental health on the workplace
- Strategies for supporting youth mental health and working parents
Voices of Life: The Legacy of the Alachua County Crisis Center | May 27 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Matheson History Museum
Join the Matheson History Museum for the premiere of the documentary Voices of Life: The Legacy of the Alachua County Crisis Center. The evening will also include a Q&A with:
- Collin Whitlock – Educator, storyteller and documentary filmmaker
- Ariel Drescher – Current director of the Alachua County Crisis Center
- Joe Thigpen – Director of the Alachua County Crisis Center from 1973-1979 and current president of the Friends of the Crisis Center
The Practice of Presence | May 28 at noon
Hosted by GatorCare
This engaging spiritual wellness webinar is designed to help you slow down and reconnect with what matters most. Explore simple contemplative practices that bring stillness and reflection into your workday.
Read More
- Read this article from UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County to learn about the long-term cost of chronic stress.
- Read this Food for Thought article from GatorCare to learn how to craft a mindful morning routine.
- Read this article from UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County to learn how pets are good for mental health.