HSCommunity: December 2024
/ Court Side
The definition of joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Joy can come from many sources, and during the holiday season, the opportunity for joy is abundant. Whether you are traveling, staying home or showing up to work to take care of others, I hope you take a moment to truly experience and appreciate the feeling of joy. Take a moment to call someone, sing a holiday song from your childhood or exchange a kind gesture. It will always be the simple things that bring us the purest joy.
In addition to joy, please take time to check in with yourself. This can be a stressful month and you have people here to support you; just reach out to us.
Now for my fun parting gift to you until the new year - if you are traveling and looking for a playlist, I have one for you!
Also, the Pod Squad will not be meeting this month, but instead have put together some podcasts for you to enjoy while studying, traveling or relaxing!
I hope your Christmas will be filled with laughter and love. Wishing you a season of peace for Hanukkah. May Kwanzaa bring you prosperity, unity and faith.
Take care of yourself.
💛💙
Court
/ Court Lanham, MSW (they/them)
Director of Diversity, WVU Health Sciences
Office of the Chancellor and Executive Dean
304-293-1425 | celanham@hsc.wvu.edu
/ BeWell
Winter break is almost here, and I hope it’s exactly what you need. For many, this means returning home to a supportive, relaxing environment, and for others, not so much. Many of us know the topics that may cause disagreements between family members or friends. While it can be difficult, avoiding those topics that we know will trigger both ourselves and others can often be the simplest step in preventing conflict.
However, conflict is inevitable and can even be healthy. It’s also important to recognize when we need to put boundaries in place to protect our own mental health and well-being. Here are a couple great articles that give you more insight into conflict resolution and boundary setting with others:
- Conflict Resolution: 20 Skills & Strategies For Work & Life | mindbodygreen
- Try This Tuesday: Boundaries
Winter also brings about snow, darker evenings and cooler temperatures. For some, cozying up by the fire and sipping hot chocolate is exactly what you may need this winter break, but for some it can bring on the “winter blues.” Winter blues are different from seasonal depression, but this article provides tips and suggestions for combating those winter blues.
/ Layne M Hitchcock, MA, ALPS, LPC
BeWell Coordinator
Behavioral Health Clinician
Extension of The Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
/ Featured Events
Fuel Up for Finals
Operation Blue Sky will provide free coffee, water and grab and go snacks on Monday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Pylons Commons.
Unwind for Finals
Sponsored by Operation Blue Sky, chair massages will be provided by BlissBlissBliss on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind Jazzmans.
Donation Drive
The WVU Health Sciences DEI Cross-Cutting Committee is hosting a donation drive through Dec. 20 to benefit the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center shelter.
Health Sciences Pop-up Shop
Grab some new gear and support the WVU Health Sciences Scholarship Fund! The pop-up shop is open through Dec. 22 and orders will be shipped or available for pickup Jan. 10. Doing some last minute holiday shopping? Print out a gift tag to show a gift is on the way!
For more events, visit cal.wvu.edu.