Overview
During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, join FSAP for a series of initiatives and events aimed at promoting mental well-being and fostering a supportive community at UCSF.
Weekly events
Join us for one of two identical 50-minute virtual sessions:
Session Overview: Over the last 20 years the wealth of research supporting Mindfulness and Gratitude practices has been steadily rising but finding the right practice (and the time to do it) can feel daunting.
This presentation reviews the most recent research supporting the benefits a daily gratitude practice and offers brief intervention tools that can have a profound impact on how your brain interprets the world. Focusing on the specific needs and experiences of our UCSF community, the recommendations discussed can be applied with support from technology, friends and family, and the organization itself.
Whether you are looking to return to a previous practice or are curious about how to get started, this webinar is designed to support individuals in creating a personalized gratitude practice that works for them. Celebrate May Mental Health Month by taking an hour of out of your work week to learn more about how Gratitude can change your brain for the better!
In celebration of May Mental Health Month, please join us for an hour of your work day to:
- Learn about the recent research supporting the benefits of practicing Gratitude
- Explore the available options for creating a daily Gratitude practice
- Review common barriers to starting a new practice
- Create an individual plan for implementing a Gratitude practice
- Try out a few different ways of practicing Gratitude
Speaker Bio: Dr. Jessica Allanson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who works for the UCSF Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, and has been practicing in the Bay Area for over a decade. She specializes in supporting health care workers, fellow providers, and organizational teams through education, self-discovery, and personal agency. Dr. Allanson works specifically with issues including career development, interpersonal relationships, substance use, grief and loss, healing from trauma, and personal/team transitions. Her passion for teaching coupled with a belief that small changes can create resounding positive impact result in a relational, empowering style of counseling and teaching. Dr. Allanson uses a combination of empirically validated behavioral techniques, honest self-inquiry, and light humor to support her clients in learning the best ways to effectively navigate their lives. Her goal is to support her clients in creating sustainable, fulfilling, and balanced lives for themselves.
Monday, May 13 at noon - Register
Session overview: Join us for FSAP's May Mental Health Month event, a Meditation Hour facilitated by Dr. Ana Dolatabadi. Participants will be invited to engage in three different types of meditation techniques suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners. All you need is a private, quiet space – you can choose to sit in your chair or on your zafu. Take this opportunity to de-stress, enhance mindfulness, and promote overall well-being during your Monday afternoon.
Benefits of meditation:
- Stress Reduction: Regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to a greater sense of calm and relaxation.
- Improved Focus and Concentration: Meditation can enhance cognitive function, including attention span and concentration, which can improve productivity and task performance.
- Emotional Regulation: Practicing meditation cultivates emotional awareness and regulation, leading to better management of difficult emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Ana Dolatabadi is a licensed clinical psychologist and Director with the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at UCSF. She experienced her first meditation at the age of 10 and rediscovered the practice 16 years ago, which has since become an integral part of her professional and personal life.
Motivated by her passion for individual and collective growth, she earned double master's degrees in sociology and transpersonal psychology, followed by a doctorate in clinical psychology. Dr. Dolatabadi has experience as a meditation practitioner and has spearheaded initiatives to bring mindfulness practices to the community, including FSAP’s Mindfulness Self-Compassion Course.
Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, especially during times of stress, Dr. Dolatabadi is dedicated to empowering individuals and groups to overcome challenges, improve their quality of life, and thrive in both their personal and professional endeavors. Through her expertise in psychology and mindfulness, she facilitates experiences that promote self-awareness, resilience, and compassion.
Join us for one of two identical 50-minute virtual sessions:
Session overview: Join us for a restorative noon-time healing Harp session with Dr. Madrone Love, (Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)) and Alexis Lyon, SFUSD school psychologist and lead harp instructor. Together, they will illuminate the harp's incredible capacity to promote mindfulness and alleviate stress. The session will commence with an insightful overview of how the harp is employed as a therapeutic instrument, followed by performances of our favorite songs designed to transport you to a state of calm and relaxation. Don't miss this opportunity to unwind and connect with the harmonious world of the healing harp.
Speaker Bios: Dr. Madrone Love, PsyD, is a post-doctoral fellow with the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) and holds an adjunct faculty position at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Dr. Love obtained her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and MA from UC Berkeley in Afro-Diasporic Studies before earning a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. Dr. Love has also studied meditation and Buddhist Psychology at Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City. Dr. Love began playing the harp in 2017 with Diana Stork, with a focus on meditative music from around the world.
Alexis Lyon is a harpist in San Francisco. She believes that the harp adds a touch of whimsy and much needed magic to mundane life. She started learning to play the harp as a little girl under the tutelage of her Granny. She has had many teachers over the years, including Diana Stork and Lynn Taffin. She is now a harp teacher for over 30 children in the San Francisco public schools.
Join us for one of two identical 50-minute virtual sessions:
Session overview: Join us for a captivating hour of journaling practice that will awaken creativity and foster personal growth hosted by Dr. Nicolas Bob, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP).
Immerse yourself in three immersive 15-minute journaling sessions, each guided by Dr. Bob with prompts designed to ignite your imagination and well-being. Whether you're drawn to the prompts or inspired to write about your own reflections, this is your sacred space for self-expression.
Your journal entries remain entirely private, allowing you to connect with yourself and process without inhibition. Grab your favorite pen or pencil, along with a journal, and prepare to embark on a transformative journey.
This hour of journaling is designed for faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and postdocs at UCSF. No prior journaling experience is necessary—simply bring an open mind and a willingness to explore. Join us and unlock the benefits of journaling!
Speaker Bio: Dr. Nicolas Bob (he/him) is a fellow with the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). He has worked in several community mental health and medical settings supporting youth, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Bob's therapeutic philosophy centers on helping clients establish connection with their values and approaches his therapeutic work from a nonjudgmental, culturally humble stance.
Beyond individual care, Dr. Bob has a passion for enhancing the well-being of both teams and individuals within institutions, which naturally led him to become a part of the FSAP team. He holds immense gratitude for the connections he forms with individuals and strives to ensure that they never feel alone on their well-being journey.
Nicolas Bob holds doctoral and master's degrees (PsyD, MA) in clinical psychology from the John F. Kennedy School of Psychology at National University in Pleasant Hill, California, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from UC Berkeley.
Mental Health Bingo
Mental Health Bingo offers a lighthearted and enjoyable way to prioritize self-care and engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Participants have the opportunity to explore various self-care practices, build resilience, and connect with others who share a common goal of prioritizing mental health. Through engaging in diverse wellness activities and fostering dialogue around mental health topics, individuals increase self-awareness, reduce stress, and gain knowledge about maintaining well-being.
Wholesome Story Hour
Wholesome Story Hour is a unique and low-stress opportunity to foster a sense of community, connection, empathy, and humor within your teams. As leaders, you have the power to create an enriching experience that goes beyond the daily grind, nurturing a culture of connection and shared humanity.
By hosting Wholesome Story Hour, you're not just leading a team; you're supporting a feeling of belonging. This initiative offers a powerful way to connect on a human level, build empathy, and inspire through the art of storytelling. Embrace this chance to bring your team closer, one story at a time.
Green Awareness Campaign
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we're inviting you to make a meaningful statement by wearing green throughout the month! By donning the color of growth, renewal, and hope, you'll not only show your support for mental health awareness but also help spark important conversations and reduce stigma surrounding mental health challenges.