The group will meet Thursdays from 12:15pm to 1:00 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center, Room 201T.

If you have any questions or concerns,

please contact the group facilitator, Ashley Vickers, at

alvickers@ualr.edu

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The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s counseling services recently announced four new groups meant to help students cope with anxiety and stress during the Fall semester. The new groups, open to all students, include a mindfulness group, meditation moment, yoga class, and LGBTQ + support group.

Cai Carvalhaes, a therapist at the counseling center and a certified yoga instructor, was really excited about the new opportunities for students. She said the idea for this grew as she used mindfulness while working with students in the counseling center.

Each group is meant to decrease anxiety, stress, and depression in their own ways. Carvalhaes explained mindfulness as a space to change and meditation as more of a technique used to start the day off right.

Twelve students showed up for the first yoga class, and after the second class, the responses from the students were extremely positive.

“Relaxation is a foreign term to me, so this has helped me relax my body, and I’ve been saying all week that I cannot wait for this class to de-stress,” Baileigh Bell, a student at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ at LR, said.

Ashley Vickers, an intern at the counseling center, said she attends all of Carvalhaes’ classes and can see a positive impact from attending.

“I’ve been able to de-stress easier and I’ve learned how to manage my thoughts more,” Vickers said. “I’ve really noticed a change in my overall self and mood.”

Carvalhaes understands that some students might be unsure about attending some of the groups, but she strongly believes that everyone should try it.

“It’s not going to hurt, and the experience is going to provide them the information that they probably need because mindfulness is more about doing than learning,” Carvalhaes said. “It works for everybody in different ways.”

Students should feel free to email Carvalhaes about any of the classes if interested and have questions. The counseling center also has their own website and Facebook page to connect with students. mmcarvalhaes@ualr.edu

Thank you to the Angle for allowing us to reprint this article!

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This year, over 1,100 college students will die by suicide. There is hope. Suicide IS preventable. In conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students and the Department of Public Safety, Counseling Services is hosting several events to promote suicide prevention and awareness. We hope you will join us for one or more of the following events!

Selfies Stations for Suicide Awareness

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, September 19

Donaghey Student Center Foyer  *  University Commons Lawn  *  Lawn between Fine Arts & ETAS buildings

Stop by one of our three “Selfie Stations” and share your picture with hashtags #ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝LR Counseling Services, #OK2Talk, #StopSuicide. We’ll take your photo and post it to our Facebook page ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Counseling Services. Tag yourself and get your friends to “like” and “share” your selfie! Selfies that get the most “likes,” “shares,” or is voted “Best Spirit” by Counseling Services will WIN! Great prizes will be awarded in October! Don’t forget to pick up your free t-shirt!

Speak Up – Speak Out!

6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 19

EIT Auditorium

The compelling story of the illicit prescription drug use and illegal substance abuse on campuses across America. Featured guests include the U.S. Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Arkansas State Drug Director, and the Arkansas State Board Pharmacy. Hosted by the William Christian Doerhoff Memorial Foundation WillsWork.org.

Brain Games with Mindfulness on the Mall

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 27

Donaghey Student Center Foyer

Challenge your concepts of reality and perception! What you perceive to be true and what is actually true are not always the same leading to anxiety and depression. Try out Mind Ball, on loan from the generous folks at the Museum of Discovery. Visit with our special guest and sleight of hand magician Aaron Acosta. Feed your brain at our Trail Mix Bar. Practice a little mindfulness and yoga in the Mall Area.

Depression Screening

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 3

Donaghey Student Center Foyer

Counseling Services, in collaboration with the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Student Social Work Organization and Student Nurse Association as well as community partners, Arkansas Employee Assistance Program and NAMI Arkansas will provide a depression screening for the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Community. This annual event provides information about mental health resources available to faculty, staff and students, and promotes help seeking behavior.

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The goal of this 6-week group is to provide a safe and supportive environment to encourage awareness and understanding of self and others concerning a wide array of topics.  Topics include but are not limited to personal growth, relationships, depression, anxiety, stress management, asserting boundaries, mindfulness, and self-care.  Students who wish to resolve specific concerns or are simply seeking personal development are welcome.  Students will be able to collaborate and practice skills that will enhance positivity and meaning in daily life.

This process-oriented group is open to all students.  Groups will meet Wednesday afternoons from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center, room 201 A.

All students who are interested in joining this group will need to schedule a pre-group meeting.

If you are interested, please contact Luanne Nelson

lsnelson@ualr.edu

ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝LR Counseling Services

Student Services Center, Suite 118

501-916-3185

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But, the constant bombardment of chatter all month threatens to push me over the edge.

Please don’t get me wrong — I find it wonderful the powers that be on social media have chosen a month to focus on suicide awareness. There is so much stigma surrounding mental illness, every dialogue is a blessing. However, this month is extremely hard for me. I have stood on that proverbial ledge and contemplated jumping. This month is a steady reminder of how close I came to ending my life. Each new post or tweet renews those feelings, each time I speak up, I tear open old wounds.

When Suicide Prevention Month hits, I find myself confronted with the topic of suicide from all angles, inside and out. Much like being surrounded by the sights and smells of delicious foods makes you hungry, the steady barrage of posts about suicide brings my consciousness right back to that deep, dark place I struggle to avoid at all costs. My mind is already inundated with thoughts of suicidal ideation, that little demon that tries to lure me in with abstract ideals. That imp swears that death would be freeing, drifting away into peaceful nothingness away from all the pain. I already struggle to push those thoughts away, choosing to continue my struggles rather than surrender to that beast. Yet during September, I not only have to battle my own mind, but external sources as well.

I know I’m in the unique situation to give insight into suicide because I have attempted it myself. I try to reach out and speak up when I am able because I understand how important it is to talk about, but it is draining beyond explanation. Imagine taking your worst days, your biggest traumas, and rehashing them again and again for a month. Imagine spending a month seeing those around you tweeting and retweeting about that pain, encouraging you to talk about it again and again. My own mind already haunts me, tormenting me regularly with the traumas of my past. On top of that, I am now bombarded with well-meaning people who want to discuss suicide. Many truly do not understand mental illness so they cannot comprehend how hard that conversation is for me to have once, let alone repeatedly over the course of the month.

I imagine things aren’t any easier for those who have lost someone to suicide. Hearing the topic discussed for weeks must tear open the wounds and begin a month of steady mourning. I see them, too, trying to speak up about their experiences and their loss. Grieving is hard enough to do on your own terms without having to do it publicly again and again. My heart always goes out to them.

I try to stay strong, to remain positive, to not let it eat at me, but that little demon already has ideation playing in my mind on a loop. It doesn’t take much for suicidal thoughts themselves to start digging their way into my psyche, as well. Each story shared by others is heart-wrenchingly relatable, and each time I speak up, it’s beyond devastating. As much as I want to get involved, to speak out and help others, I know my limits and cannot share as much as others may prefer or believe that I should. I know the upcoming battles others face because I’ve fought them all before. As much as I know this month is beneficial for so many, it is pure torture for me. I spend the month feeling raw and glaringly alone.

Please be patient with the survivors of suicide, whether we kept living after attempts, or have survived the loss of people we loved. Talk to us and make sure we’re OK. Keep us in your hearts, thoughts and prayers. Speak up when we cannot. This isn’t a battle just for the survivors of suicide. It is important that everyone keeps living and keeps fighting so together we can make the world a better place. Even one more life lost because someone feels worthless and alone is one life too many.

By B.L. Acker at themighty.com

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide  page.
If you need support right now, call the  at 1-800-273-8255. 

Image via Thinkstock

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