Overview
During Mental Health Awareness Month, FSAP is offering a series of initiatives & events aimed at promoting mental well-being & fostering a supportive community at UCSF. These are initiatives that leaders & teams can implement independently.
Mental Health Awareness Month Webinars
Thursday, May 8; noon- 1 p.m. - Zoom registration
All of us have been impacted by suicide in some way, whether that’s through hearing about suicide in the news and media, having experienced thoughts of suicide ourselves, losing a loved one to suicide, or trying to support someone we know who is coping with thoughts of suicide. Despite the many ways this issue touches our lives, it often remains a taboo topic that’s difficult to discuss. Yet we know that open, compassionate conversations can help save lives. In this webinar, Dr. Joe Orovecz will help us develop our comfort in talking about suicide and (perhaps more importantly) listening when someone we know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm. You’ll learn more about how to:
- Recognize warning signs of suicide
- Communicate in a supportive way when someone is in emotional distress
- Resources that can be helpful in moments of crisis (including 988, which you can dial right now anywhere in the US to be connected to a crisis counselor for support)
- Attend to your own wellbeing when supporting someone else
Speaker Bio:
The UCSF Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is honored to welcome a special guest, Dr. Joe Orovecz, to lead this important training as part of our Mental Health Awareness Month offerings. Dr. Orovecz brings deep expertise and a thoughtful, compassionate approach to topics such as suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and workplace wellbeing.
Dr. Joe Orovecz is a psychologist at Stanford’s Faculty Staff Help Center where he provides brief counseling, facilitates workshops and trainings, and supervises trainees. He also serves as a faculty member in California Pacific Medical Center’s Health Psychology Fellowship Program where he oversees clinical communication skills training for internal medicine residents. Joe earned his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed his postdoctoral training at UCSF and UCOP’s Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP).
He has over 15 years of experience in the fields of crisis and suicide intervention and prevention, having volunteered on crisis hotlines, trained hotline volunteers and police officers in crisis intervention, taught classes on the psychology of suicide, and served on committees to advance broader suicide prevention initiatives. Joe also has a passion for serving the LGBTQIA+ Community and doing organizational work that advances the wellbeing of all campus community members.
Friday, May 16; noon - 1 p.m. - Zoom registration link
Join Heike Mitchell, PhD and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) for this practical, solution-focused session to help you manage the pressures of working parenthood and improve your well-being.
This 1-hour webinar will provide you with an overview of today’s challenges in being a successful working parent and the risks for parental burnout. By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:
- Recognize signs and causes of parental burnout
- Discover personal, family, and career strategies for prevention & recovery
- Design your own plan to make working parenthood more sustainable
- Know how to access resources for dealing with parental burnout
Speaker Bio:
As part of the Mental Health Awareness Month offerings, the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is excited to welcome guest presenter Dr. Heike Mitchell for this special webinar.
Heike Mitchell, PhD is a champion of workplace well-being, with a particular focus on supporting expecting and working parents. Blending psychological expertise with strategic insights into workplace dynamics, she creates practical and science-based solutions that help both individuals and organizations thrive. Dr. Mitchell previously served as a fellow at UCSF & UCOP’s Faculty & Staff Assistance Program and is pleased to return to present this webinar.
Friday, May 23; noon- 1 p.m. - Zoom registration
As part of FSAP’s Mental Health Awareness Month offerings, this unique mid-day wellness experience invites you to reconnect with your body and mind through rhythm and stillness. The session begins with energizing African and Middle Eastern beats to guide participants in meditative movement, an opportunity to step away from your desk and awaken the body. From there, the experience shifts into a seated, guided meditation designed to open the heart, promote relaxation, and inner balance.
This immersive experience is designed to refresh and restore, blending music, movement, and meditation in a deeply grounding way. Please ensure you have access to a private space where you feel comfortable moving.
This session is ideal for anyone who enjoys moving to music and is looking for a guided yet private experience to recharge during the day.
Speaker Bio: Ana Dolatabadi Psy.D., M.A.
Dr. Dolatabadi is a licensed clinical psychologist and director for the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at UCSF and UCOP. She has maintained a dedicated meditation practice for over 15 years, integrating it into both her personal life and professional work in mental health.
She believes there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to meditation and is committed to offering a variety of meditation experiences to help individuals find what works best for them. Dr. Dolatabadi spearheaded initiatives to bring mindfulness practices to the community, including FSAP’s Mindfulness Self-Compassion Course.
Thursday, May 29; noon-1 p.m. - Zoom registration
Feeling overwhelmed by stress? Whether it's work demands, personal responsibilities, or the challenges of daily life, our nervous system is constantly processing sensory input that impacts how we feel and function. Join FSAP for this Mental Health Awareness Month special webinar. This session will explore techniques to help you:
- Understand stress and nervous system dysregulation.
- Discover sensory-based strategies (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste) for emotional regulation.
- Learn practical ways to integrate these tools into your daily routine for greater balance and resilience.
Through education and experiential exercises, you’ll leave with a personalized plan to help navigate stress with greater ease.
Please come prepared with a pen and something to write on, like a journal or notebook.
Speaker Bios: Sierra Garthwaite, PsyD, M.A. and Sophia Sandhu, PsyD., M.Ed
Dr. Garthwaite is a postdoctoral fellow with the UCSF Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. She brings experience facilitating skills-based groups and supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, and interpersonal challenges. Her warm, integrative style combines mindfulness with personalized, research-informed strategies to promote well-being and empowerment.
Dr. Sandhu is a postdoctoral fellow with the UCSF Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. Her approach integrates humanistic and culturally responsive care to support clients with stress, burnout, identity, and life transitions. She is passionate about community care and healing practices that honor clients’ values and lived experiences.
Beyond the Bio
Beyond the Bio is a casual and uplifting team-building experience designed to cultivate connection, spark empathy, and bring joy to your team. Inspired by the spirit of show-and-tell, participants are invited to share a meaningful object in a relaxed, supportive environment.
This engaging activity offers a refreshing pause from the day-to-day routine and encourages deeper understanding among colleagues. At its core, Beyond the Bio helps nurture a culture of authenticity, curiosity, and connection within the workplace.
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.