SSW students, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, you’re warmly invited to join us for a special two-part event focused on art and community healing hosted by the MSW Program and Art Committee.

We’ll kick things off with a Mural Design & Community Building Workshop on Thursday, May 1, 2025 (4:30P – 6:30P in Room 305A/B)—a space to reflect on how we want to steward community and co-create the layout of a mural together.

Then, from May 5^th – May 9th (8AM–5pm in the Gallery), we’ll host drop-in Art Days, where you can contribute your voice and vision to the mural through painting, collage, or mixed media. This will be the chance for you all to bring your vision of the mural to life!

No art experience is needed and all supplies will be provided. Bring your creativity and your heart ❤️ Check out the flyer attached for full details, and we hope to see you there! Please reach out to mthernan@uw.edu for any questions. 

MSW students, consider joining one of your LiveWell Peer Groups this quarter! Commence forwarded message:

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This quarter, LiveWell will offer three different group options for its Peer Groups! As always, participation is free for UW students. LiveWell Peer Groups are student-led, peer-facilitated groups designed to promote resiliency and overall wellbeing for UW students. Each group focuses on a different topic of well-being, offering space for discussion, skill-building, and personal growth. Participation in groups is always free and all groups are open to all students.

Learn more and sign up on our website at https://livewell.uw.edu/peer-groups/. 

Dawgs Unplugged🔌

Want to form a healthier relationship with social media? Join our Social Media Peer Group, Dawgs Unplugged, to explore the impact of overuse, learn strategies for healthier habits, and strengthen offline connections. Each week, we will provide insightful discussions, practical tools, and a supportive community. Students are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they’d like.

Two groups are offered this quarter for Dawgs Unplugged: Mondays 3:00-4:00 pm and Fridays 12:30-1:30 pm starting the week of April 28th. Both are located in Elm Hall 109 (next to Fitness Center West). Sign up here by April 25th.

The Body Project😊

The Body Project is a 4-week evidence-based program designed to increase body acceptance and decrease body dissatisfaction. Groups meet weekly to develop skills for managing body dissatisfaction and to confront appearance ideals pressed upon us by society and social media. Sign up here by April 18th.

Talking to Friends 💛

Looking to build stronger connections and feel more confident in navigating social situations? Talking to Friends is a 4-week peer-led group that focuses on expanding connections with other Huskies through building self-efficacy, interpersonal, and resiliency skills. Those who sign up will meet for one-hour sessions facilitated by a trained Peer Health Educator. Whether you’re shy, adjusting to a new environment, or just looking to meet new people, this group is a safe and welcoming space. Start building friendships and skills that will last a lifetime – come join us!

Groups meet Fridays 11:00-12:00 pm starting May 2nd and ending May 23rd in Elm Hall 109 (next to Fitness Center West). Students are encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of the group. Sign up here by April 30th.

How do I sign up?

For Body Project, learn more and sign up here.

For all other groups, learn more and sign up here.

If you have any questions, please let us know via email at lwpeer@uw.edu. We look forward to seeing you!

MSW students, see the forwarded message from Lev, our mental health specialist.

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The Counseling Center offers free 1:1 counseling, workshops, and group therapy for students.  Services are always confidential, and counselors embody a range of identities. See below for spring therapy groups accepting new members! 

Emerging social workers might want to try out group therapy and psychoeducation workshops as part of your professional development–receiving support & being facilitated can help us better understand how we want to offer support to others!

I can answer any questions you have about Counseling Center services and help get you connected.  Reach out to me anytime.

MSW students, consider your registration for this free UW sponsored webinar. Commence forwarded message:

Join us to explore the complex relationship between substance use and mental health. Jason R. Kilmer PhD, will break down key connections between alcohol, drug use, and mental health outcomes, providing valuable knowledge for professionals, educators, and community members alike. 

What You’ll Learn: 

✅ The concept of “alcohol myopia” and its role as a risk factor for suicide 

✅ How substance use impacts mental health outcomes 

✅ Evidence-based strategies for prevention and intervention 

Jason R. Kilmer PhD is a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences in the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at UW. At UW’s Center for the Study of Health & Risk Behaviors (CSHRB), Dr. Kilmer serves as an investigator on several studies evaluating prevention and intervention efforts for alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use by college students. In addition to research and teaching, Dr. Kilmer has worked extensively with college students and campus professionals around alcohol and other drug prevention programming both at UW and on over 150 campuses nationwide. 

Register now to secure your spot! Register Here: RSVP for The Overlap of Substance Use and Mental Health

This event has been approved for 1 CEUs by the Washington Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Your Provider number is #1975-473

MSW students, the Counseling Center is hosting two workshops focused on friendship and relationship building skills.  This is a two-part workshop, and you are welcome to join one or both of them. Registration is encouraged but not required.

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The second one focuses on healthy communication and setting boundaries. The workshops use interactive activities to help students have fun while learning new skills. Please refer students.

Connect with a Counselor: Husky Helpline: same-day consultation 24/7| Let’s Talk: drop-in consultation | Short-term counseling

MSW students, please consider this 1-credit Winter 2025 course for your Out-Of-Department Electives.

GEN ST 498A Interdisciplinary Approaches to Youth Mental Health & Well-Being (CR/NC, 1 credit)

Thursdays, 10:30am-11:20pm; SLN: 15223

Instructor: Arti Shah

Graduate students must request an add code through: tjoll10@uw.edu

In partnership with the UW Population Health Initiative, College of Education, and the School of Social Work, this course will introduce students to a number of UW and community-based research and programs that are working to improve youth mental health and well-being. A different faculty member or community-based practitioner will present each week to share their unique experiences with students regarding specific approaches they have taken to improve youth mental health and well-being. 

Specific topics this course will address include:

• Assessment of suicide and self-injury to enhance school safety
• Culturally responsive approaches to supporting youth well-being in schools
• Community and school-based interventions for adolescents with ADHD and related difficulties in attention, motivation and executive functions
• Impact of community-based mentorship for black youth

Additional course details can be found in the time schedule. Each lecture is open to interested faculty, students, staff, alumni and members of the community as well as those students who are registered for the course.

SSW Community: You’re invited! Please join us at King County’s annual Behavioral Health Legislative Forum Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Registration is free and open to all.

The Forum is a lively evening of conversation and learning among the mental health and substance use recovery communities, state and local lawmakers, behavioral health providers, and King County leaders. It’s free and open to all.

Doors open at 5:00pm and program starts at 5:30pm. 

Celebrate recovery, share in the conversation, and engage with King County’s legislative priorities for behavioral health in 2025. 

Registration Available in English and Spanish

• Register for the Legislative Forum here: kingcounty.gov/forum-registration
• Registrante en Español aqui: https://BHLegislativeForumSpanish.eventbrite.com

What Happens at the Forum?

• Opportunity to speak directly with your elected officials about behavioral health and recovery
• Celebrate stories of mental health and substance use recovery​
• King County introduces its 2025 behavioral health legislative priorities​
• Elected officials share their own behavioral health priorities​
• Mingling and connection with others in the behavioral health community​
• King County Recovery Coalition hosts a fun pre-event​

Meet with Your Legislator

Legislators and councilmembers are invited to meet with community members directly after the program. This is your opportunity to share your story and the behavioral health issues important to you. 

Recharge in the Relaxation Room

Need to step away from the activity? The Relaxation Room is a calming environment for Forum guests to seek respite or support from peers. Find it near the entrance to Exhibition Hall. The room will be open throughout the Forum.

Together, we will celebrate recovery, share in the conversation, and engage with King County’s legislative priorities for behavioral health in 2025.

Group therapy provides students the space to get support and help mutual growth with fellow students sharing similar experiences. These groups are facilitated by therapists and are available at no out-of-pocket cost. Please note that there are a limited number of spots for each group therapy.

What exactly is group therapy? Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals come together under the guidance of a trained therapist to share their experiences, discuss their challenges, and work on their personal growth. For college students, group therapy can provide a supportive environment to address common issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and academic pressures.

  Here are some groups with current openings:

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for Anxiety
• Beginning Mindfulness Meditation
• Between Cultures (for students who identify with multiple cultures & struggle with belonging)
• Feminist Process Group for Graduate Students
• Ongoing Mindfulness Group
• Procrastination and Perfectionism
• Queer Tabletop Roleplaying Game Group
• Umoja: Support Group focused on Black and Brown Womxn Graduate Student Experiences

Check out the Groups page for descriptions, times and a comprehensive list of all the groups.  To join a group, call 206-543-1240.

Paws for a Break provides therapeutic interactions between individuals and trained animals.  Join us on every Thursdays , from noon to 1pm in the Schmitz Hall 4^th Floor Lobby.

Seeking resources for mental wellness this quarter? Look no further! UWCC is pleased to offer a series of workshops. These are all virtual (zoom info is in the brochure) and no pre-registration is needed. Workshops are an easy and low-commitment way to start the mental wellness journey.

Workshops are weekly throughout the quarter. Please refer students to the workshops. If faculty choose to give extra credit for students who attend, please let us know and we will be happy to take attendance. Workshop info is attached below. See you there!

SSW Students,

As we approach the end of Spring Quarter, this is/can be a historically stressful time for many. Should you need a safe, welcoming space of respite, please consider utilizing the Counseling Center for counseling options (inclusive of individual, group, career, and/or crisis modalities).  We have been informed that there are openings starting this week for new clients. Note that the services are offered at no charge to currently enrolled students- thanks to financial support from the Services & Activities Fee (SAF)!

Those in consideration for the UW Counseling Center can schedule online or call 206-543-1240.  If you have immediate needs, Husky Helpline is available for same-day consultation with a counselor, 24/7.

SSW Specific Mental Health Support

Moreso, if you are looking for in-house support, Lev Cunningham, our wonderful Mental Health Specialist works to serve the students of the SSW. Please consider their offered resources, & connecting with them for a soulfully nourishing space of healing.

To learn more about other resources to support you in your academic ventures (wellness, personal care, writing and academic tutoring, etc.), please peruse through your Canvas Module 4: How to Survive and Thrive.

The SSO team hopes that you all are safe, well, and met with nourishment. Please reach out if you need anything!

That’s a wrap on our 2023 – 2024 speaker series from UW Forefront Suicide Prevention – UW Research.

We heard from subject matter experts from different communities and perspectives all focused on preventing suicide. We hope you’ve found their presentations as informative and inspiring as we have!

Every session has been recorded and edited for you to stream on-demand for FREE. Sessions in this series include:

– A Comprehensive Approach to the Suicide Prevention presented by Jeffrey Sung, MD

– Understanding Grief after Suicide presented by Charlene Ray, MSW, LICSW

– Aging Communities presented by Lesley Steinman, PhD

– Black Communities presented by Paige Gaines

– Perinatal Mental Health presented by Deborah S. Cowley, MD

Stay tuned for more information about the 2024 – 2025 speaker series by following us on social media (links below) or going to our events page.

This series was made possible with the help of the Washington State Department of Health.