Kind Mind | Spring 2023

Welcome

To the spring issue of Kind Mind!

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The theme for this issue is "flowering".

For AWARE Ambassadors, the idea of flowering means growth, strength, empowerment, grace flourishing, resilience, compassion, confidence, & love, to name a few. For many, this is also the time of new beginnings after the winter. We asked our Ambassadors to send us things that come to mind when they think of flowering. In response, they shared their own personal experience with these concepts, as well as showcasing some resources offered right here at the CWC that can aid any UF student in their own flowering journey.

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Cover photograph by Leann Thompson

LeannThompson LeannThompson

magnolia

floriography

mental health in the language of flowers

mia kittredge

angelica

honeysuckle

pinkrose

loveofnature

inspiration

bondsoflove

happiness

sage

wisdom

hydrangea

gratitudefor

understanding

chamomile

thyme

clematis

mentalbeauty

sweet woodruff

patiencein

adversity

aloe

courage

chrysanthemum

humility

affection/grief

truth

Nicole Ramos Nicole Ramos

The Assignment Sofia

Bringas Correa

At dinner he tells me he’s got 50 specimen due by May, and some are seasonal, so his gathering starts today.

I watch him through the blinds as he squats, stooped on our porch steps, empty jars below his haunches, watching for wriggles of dirt.

He sets down a circling figeater on the table. It unfurls its wings against the glass, I hear its tapping from the kitchen as I boil him water to sterilize the dirt, as he says. This house is stained in insect’s plasma, their bodies lay martyred in sandwich bags below pizzas and ice trays.

He’ll bring me an extra scarab beetle, order vindex, telling me he nursed it best he could, but the wings broke off, and its horn is chipped, and it’s of no use to him now.

I embalm it in resin to wear on my chest for a week until he offers another, with all legs intact this time.

He’ll pluck yellow petals from the breeze with his net. they alchemize below nailed parchment paper into scaled wings of orange, deep green, and gold. He delivers me below the door the repeats to frame. Butterflies sit glossy between glass in the hallway and seem to ginger to life in dusking rays.

Ethanol perfumes my Spring days, I must be drunk on it as I follow him through fields after a rainstorm, because that’s when the best ones come out. And at night when we’re sleeping, I hear him rush into pants to chase after trills and chirps. And I find when I’m walking to class in the morning I walk with my eyes to the dirt.

Coloring Outside the Lines Coloring Outside the Lines

My hands used to shake when I’d pick up a crayon

Tiny fists frustrated with the disconnect

Of perfectly illustrated visions and elementary capabilities

Masterpieces better preserved in the mind than imperfect on paper

But there’s only so much the brain can save before it fizzles out

Exhausted like an overused electric pencil sharpener

Time, however, shows that a poor-colored flower is better than none at all

Uneven shading tells a story of persistence

Breathing new life into a formerly empty image

Death of a mindset giving way to the rebirth of unrestrained creativity

Which values the pride of tangible over inevitable imperfections

Katherine Usrey

"Rooting"Formyself

aMadLib

Thisspring,I’vemadeitmygoaltogrowthe elusive________plant.I’ma________gardener soI’mnotquitesurehowit’llgo.I’vebeentotall inspiredby________,whoisgreatatgrowing ________plants.

person

adjective

Rightnow,mygardenisfilledwith________an ________,butsomethingismissing.Last______

fruit(plural)

vegetable(plural)

season

flower(plural)

adjective

animal(plural)

Itriedtogrow________,butmyflowerbedswe overrunby________________!Ihadto completelyrestart.Luckilymyhardworkpaidof andIwasabletogrow________flowers!

adjective

Ioriginallytookupgardeningasaself-care activity,andI’vedevelopedabitofa________

color number

thumb,ifIdosaysomyself.Itshouldonlytak ________daysfortheseedstosprout.I'llbe ________inanticipationuntilthen!

1. Astructured20-30minutemeetingmeanttogather informationaboutyoursituationandwhatCWCservices wouldbestfityourneeds.

4. Theseservicesprovidetheopportunityforstudentsto learnnewskillstostrengthenpersonalresilience,develop healthyself-carehabits,andgrowtheirmentalhealth awareness;noappointmentorconsultationisneeded

6. CWCservicesare tostudentsenrolledatUF

10. Research has shown that consistent makescounselingsessionsmore effective.

12. Inthistypeoftherapysession,memberslistentoeach other’sconcernsandopenlyprovidefeedback,whilethe facilitatorguidestheconversation

Down

1. CWC's ManagementTeam;resourcefor studentsseekingsupportwhileconnectingwithresources bothonandoffcampus.

3. Nopatient'sinformationisreleasedtoanyoneoutside oftheCWCunlesswithwrittenpermissionorcertain exceptions.

5. Ananonymous,confidential,onlineresourcecenter, wherecollegestudentscanbecomfortablesearchingfor theinformationtheyneedregardingemotionalhealth

7. You can anonymously submit a request for a ofCarewheneveryoufeelyouneedmore support,compassion,andunderstanding.

8CWC ,podcastdevotedtohonestconversations aboutmentalhealthandwellnesscreatedbytheCWC.

9Crisissupportisprimarilylocatedat Hall

11.Typeofcounselingthathelpsachievethegreatest wellnessinyourrelationshipwithapartnerorspouse

PersonalGrowthMovies

By Gray Smith

ThePursuitofHappiness - This movie is about family and the American Dream. It will be sure to make you both cry and smile. Will Smith plays a struggling single father as he refuses to give into despair and fights for a better life for himself and his son. This is a must-watch if you are in need of a good cry.

LegallyBlonde- Legally Blonde is the ultimate inspirational, female empowerment story. Between Reese Witherspoon’s quirky portrayal of the brilliant Elle Woods and Jennifer Coolidge’s iconic one-liners, this movie will inspire you to both do your homework and rock a new hairstyle… just maybe not a perm.

TheSecretLifeofWalterMitty - From the mind of Ben Stiller comes the story of a LIFE magazine employee who escapes life through exciting daydreams. When he loses an important photograph that could cost him his job, he embarks on an exciting adventure of his own. This movie is the embodiment of “you only live once” and is sure to inspire you to overcome your fears and try something new.

GoodWillHunting - This film is a beautiful reflection of human emotion and portrays letting go of guilt. Matt Damon plays a remarkably intelligent, but misguided young man who is discovered when he solves a graduate-level math problem. It details dealing with past trauma and facing fears of failure and loss. How about them apples?

YesMan - Jim Carry plays a man, Carl, that has a negative outlook on life and says no to everything. He decides to take a chance and say yes to everything he is asked, his life begins to drastically change. If you need some motivation to live your life to the fullest, watch this movie!

Accepting Who You Are, Before I..., Change Poem Insiya K. Patanwala

Before I became strong, I knew what it was like To be weak, How difficult it is to love yourself, To find the wholeness that you seek.

Before I knew the light, I have had my fair share of darkness, too, Where my world fell into a hopelessness And I didn't know how to get through.

For I have known the tears it takes, The courage to stand up again, When you are broken down and bruised And you know nothing but the pain.

You forget to appreciate love, If you haven't seen the hate, Till you forget the meaning of smile and laughter, And your heart is left abate.

I have known the strength and courage It requires to get it right, To face the things that hold you down And hold your head up and fight.

Before I was who I am now, I was someone I didn't want to be. I was lost, battered, and defeated, Before I knew how to be me!

CWC Workshops CWC Workshops

Experiencing Mindfulness During Sunset Practiceconnectionswith nature-basedmindfulness activitiesatLakeAlice.

LakeAlice; Gainesville, FL

Riding Emotional Waves

Online, viaZoom

Aweeklyworksopfocusing onbuildingskillstogain morecontrolonemotions andreducesuffering.

The Power of Self-Compassion

A3-partdidactic,interactive, andexperientialworkshop. LearnskillstoImproveyour well-beingbypracticing self-compassion.

Online, viaZoom

PlantYourselfand StudyProgram

The University of Florida's Library West is home to a unique program that encourages students to take breaks and prioritize their mental health - the Plant Yourself and Study program. This program provides students with the opportunity to unwind and recharge by interacting with nature while studying. This innovative program has been highly effective in reducing stress and improving academic performance among students. The program is designed to create a relaxing and nurturing environment for students to study in. The program offers a variety of indoor plants that students can take to their study desks, along with helpful tips on how to “care for” the plants. These plants not only add a beautiful touch of nature to the library, but they also offer a range of benefits that can help students reduce stress and improve their mental health.

Studies have shown that interacting with plants can have a calming effect on the mind and body. By bringing plants into the library, students can take advantage of these benefits and reduce the stress and anxiety that often comes with studying for exams and completing assignments. Plants can also help improve air quality and create a more pleasant environment, which can lead to better focus and productivity.

The Plant Yourself and Study program is more than just a collection of plants - it's a community of students who prioritize their mental health and well-being. The program also provides information about caring for your own plants at home, which adds to the many benefits.

The Plant Yourself and Study program is especially helpful for a Freshman, Megan Harris. Megan says that “The program has been really fun and beneficial for me when I spend hours studying at the library. I love how each plant has its own name and looks different, and having the little plant by me while I work reminds me that even plants can grow during tough seasons. This helps me remember that I can grow too, even when I’m super overwhelmed.” Megan checks out a plant almost every time she comes to the library, and her friends have started to do the same.

In conclusion, the Plant Yourself and Study program is a unique and valuable resource for students at the University of Florida. By incorporating plants into the library environment, the program provides students with an opportunity to recharge and prioritize their mental health while studying. With its numerous benefits, including reduced stress and improved academic performance, it's no wonder that the program has been so successful. So, the next time you're feeling overwhelmed with your studies, take a break and plant yourself at Library West - your mind and body will thank you!

As students, we all know how stressful college life can be. With the constant pressure to achieve academic excellence, maintain a social life, and juggle extracurricular activities, it's no surprise that many of us may experience periods of stress, anxiety, and depression. Fortunately, the University of Florida's Counseling and Wellness Center offers a lesserknown but highly valuable resource to help students manage their mental health - SilverCloud. SilverCloud is an online platform that offers clinically-proven programs to help students thrive, feel better, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The program is completely free for all UF students and is accessible from anywhere, at any time. Whether you're struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, SilverCloud can provide you with the tools and support you need to feel better.

MEGAN HARRIS

One of the best things about SilverCloud is its flexibility. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or simply looking to improve your overall mental health, SilverCloud has a program that can help. SilverCloud's programs use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven approach to treating mental health conditions. CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that can contribute to mental health issues. The platform's programs use interactive modules, videos, and exercises to teach students skills that can help them manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

SilverCloud's programs are designed to be user-friendly and engaging, with interactive elements that make them more interesting and enjoyable. Students can track their progress and receive feedback from their coach, who can offer additional support and guidance throughout the program. In addition to its programs, SilverCloud also offers a range of resources to help students manage their mental health. These include self-assessment tools, tips for managing stress and anxiety, and links to additional resources on campus and in the community.

If you're a UF student struggling with mental health issues, SilverCloud can be an excellent resource to help you feel better. The platform is free, flexible, and designed to meet the individual needs of each student. With its clinically-proven programs and user-friendly design, SilverCloud is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their mental health and well-being.

WeepingWillow

Their roots sprawl out: a labyrinth of emotions fighting to break through the thick, suffocating soil.

They stand tall through relentless storms, yet their branches tremble in the wind; their tears spiraling down to create a mosaic of foliage below.

I perch like a lark within their limbs, admiring the work of art beneath.

‘Can you see the beauty you create with your chaos?’

They reply with a distended sigh swollen from the downpour as swirling clouds blanket the sky. I can’t do this anymore.

But the sun remains within them, beaming through their upturned eyes with the strength to clear the heavens above.

They force out new buds, replenishing their stolen fronds as their roots dig deeper, preparing for what's to come.

Their soul is a willow, handling wreckage with grace. Their leaves may fall, but their spirit never breaks.

LeahBolles

Contributors Contributors

All the ambassadors whose work was All the ambassadors whose work was ffeatured: eatured:

Leah Bolles Leah Bolles

Sofia Bringas Correa Sofia Bringas Correa

Ashley Guarino Ashley Guarino

Megan Harris Megan Harris

Mia Kittredge Mia Kittredge

Nicole Ramos Nicole Ramos

Editors Editors

Gray Smith Gray Smith

Leann Thompson Leann Thompson

Katherine Usrey Katherine Usrey

Uma Vogeti Uma Vogeti

Zoë Votava Zoë Votava

Sarah Wutzler Sarah Wutzler

All the ambassadors who edited and put together

All the ambassadors who edited and put together the zine: the zine:

Sofia Bringas Correa Sofia Bringas Correa

Dante Chinnery Dante Chinnery

Ashley Guarino Ashley Guarino

Mia Kittredge Mia Kittredge

Gray Smith Gray Smith

Katie Usrey Katie Usrey

Zoë Votava Zoë Votava

BROUGHTTOYOUBY:

Thecontentofthiszinewascreatedand/orcuratedby UFCWCAWAREAmbassadorstospreadawareness aboutmentalhealthamongstUFstudents.