Hitting the proverbial reset button can seem downright impossible, especially with jam-packed calendars that can leave little time to 呼吸 mentally — but an OUWB program offers one solution.
“Virtual Healing Spaces” is a program from OUWB’s 多样性 & 包容 department that recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
Held about once a month during the academic year, the one-hour sessions promise “an environment where reflection, 平静, and community can be nurtured and thrive.”
Sessions include therapeutic music, 精神卫生资源, and a safe space to “dialogue, 听, 学习, 和治疗.” They are free and open to OUWB students, staff, and 教师.
“A virtual healing space is basically a mental massage and a brave space to allow our community to come together, 呼吸, 和减压,托尼娅·贝利说, Ph.D., associate dean, 多样性, Equity & 包容, and 社区 Engagement.
“We created virtual healing spaces for the world we live in today,她补充道. “How often do you find intentional spaces where people are just breathing together…healing together?”
贝利, 谁在2022年底加入了OUWB, says she previously led similar kind of events prior to joining the school.
During an AAMC program called “Restorative Justice in Academic Medicine Facilitator Training,” 贝利 says virtual healing sessions also were discussed.
“It was confirmed that this is another way that we could promote diversity, 公平和包容, 更重要的是, promote belonging for the communities that we’re in,她说。.
Virtual healing spaces also allow participants to take a mental break, too.
“We all go through a variety of different challenges…but we often don’t know where to release those energies or find a 平静 space to launch from,贝利说。. “Virtual healing spaces offer a possible solution.”
1月的. 12 session was typical of what participants can expect.
The session began with 平静ing spa-like music and different images of positivity and inspirational quotes along with available 精神卫生资源. Participants were told they can participate in the session however they feel most comfortable — with cameras on and actively engaged in any discussions or simply leave camera off and 听.
贝利 then led a guided meditation that was generally centered on techniques used to relax, before switching gears and talking about mental health-related issues prompted by recent headlines as well as her own personal experiences.
The session then switched back to meditative techniques before concluding.
OUWB Student Mental Health Counselor Ashley Watters, M.A., LPC的, says there are many benefits to taking the kind of “time-out” offered by opportunities like the virtual healing spaces.
“It’s really all about being a safe space for people to decompress, destress, and connect,她说。.
Watters says the benefits can sometimes serve as an alternative to traditional therapy, but in a shorter amount of time and with more people involved.
“When it comes to medical school, 无论你是学生, 教师, 或者工作人员, you’re working at one of the highest levels academically,她说。. “When you have permission to just rest, it can be a powerful experience."
And that’s what it’s all about for 贝利.
“I have been in meetings where someone has told me how happy they were to have done a virtual healing space because they’re able to tackle challenges with projects or handle a situation better,贝利说。.
“I’ve also heard people say that relationships inside of their workspace have improved because of it,她补充道.
The next two virtual healing space sessions are scheduled for March 8 and April 12, from noon to 1 p.m. 回复的 点击这里.
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at (电子邮件保护).
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & 市场营销 网页.
