Events and Programs

Interested in increasing your mindfulness practice and learning skills to help you feel more calm, present, and relaxed? Sign up for this 4-week series at go/mindful to practice meditations with group support and a FREE book & app. 

Help create a culture that supports recovery! Come meet SGA’s Health and Wellness committee and learn how to safely dispose of unneeded and unused medication so it doesn’t get into our waterways or in the hands of someone experiencing addiction or challenges with their mental health. Free supplies and raffle prizes! Learn more about safer medication disposal and harm reduction at go/medication-disposal.

Looking for some dedicated time to sit down and brainstorm ways to set and create your goals? Has something been stuck on your to-do list for a while? Are you hoping to feel more set up to accomplish next semester? Join Health & Wellness Education for a 1.5 hour session on all of the above. We’ll have dedicated time for you to think about creating goals and making a plan to accomplish them using writing exercises and group support. Participants will walk away with up to three training workbooks (small, paperback) to take with them to keep the goal-setting going! Register at go/letsmakeaplan

The same workshop will be offered twice in the Health & Wellness Education Office located on the ground floor of Ross:

Thursday, January 16th from 1:00-2:30pm
Thursday, January 30th from 2:30-4:00pm

Take a guided, relaxing (potentially snowy?) stroll around campus with a Health Educator to get some mindful movement into your day. 

Join Health Educators george howard (they/he), Karly Beavers (she/her), and Anna Hand for a complete Green Dot Bystander Training. From this training, you will be well-equipped to proactively and reactively prevent interpersonal violence and to inspire continued engagement with the Green Dot strategy in your clubs or student groups. This training is the single most thorough engagement you can have with Green Dot practice and learning. Sign up: go/greendotbt

Looking for a moment to unwind? Take a mind vacation with this guided meditation. go/mindvacation

Looking for some dedicated time to sit down and brainstorm ways to set and create your goals? Has something been stuck on your to-do list for a while? Are you hoping to feel more set up to accomplish next semester? Join Health & Wellness Education for a 1.5 hour session on all of the above. We’ll have dedicated time for you to think about creating goals and making a plan to accomplish them using writing exercises and group support. Participants will walk away with up to three training workbooks (small, paperback) to take with them to keep the goal-setting going! Register at go/letsmakeaplan

The same workshop will be offered twice in the Health & Wellness Education Office located on the ground floor of Ross:

Thursday, January 16th from 1:00-2:30pm
Thursday, January 30th from 2:30-4:00pm

This year, February 10th - February 14th is Healthy Relationships Action Week at Middlebury, when we celebrate and explore relationships of all kinds - friendships, romances, sexual relationships, community connections, and relationships with ourselves. During this week of events, we highlight campus and community resources that offer services in support of safe and loving relationships. This is a great time to learn more about healthy relationship practices, deepen your relationship with yourself, and connect with fellow students. For the full calendar, visit go/hraw.

 

Healthy Relationship with Yourself - Toolkit Pickup
Monday, February 10, 12:00 - 1:30pm
McCullough Foyer
Health Educator george howard will be sharing a tool for reflecting on your relationship with yourself. Come by and pick up this set of prompts so you can independently explore your connection to yourself, your values, and your care practices.

Eat Pizza and Learn: Connecting with Yourself and Planning for Self-Care
Monday, February 10, 5:30 - 6:30pm
HWE offices, Ground floor of Ross
Come to this workshop to eat Flatbread (gluten-free and vegan options available) and learn about self-connection, identify your strategies for self-care during tough times, and talk about how to ask for the support you need. Sign up to attend: go/selfconnectpizza

Exploring Stories of Self - Making Charm Bracelets
Tuesday, February 11, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Ross B011
Counselor Sarah Marcus and Health Educator george howard offer a workshop for you to explore stories of self to connect with your wants and needs in healthy relationships. Make a charm bracelet or necklace that tells your story, choosing beads that symbolize aspects of your story and yourself. We’ll move through a guided exploration of past, present, and futures as a way to connect with the experiences that shape us and how we decide what we want for ourselves in relationships with self and others.

Sweets with Green Dot!
Wednesday, February 12, 3:00 - 4:30pm
Griller Foyer, McCullough
Healthy relationships are safe relationships! What can each of us do to prevent interpersonal harm that can make relationships and interactions unsafe? Join Green Dot and share what proactive green dots you can do to support safety in the Middlebury community. Donuts and sweet treats will be provided to highlight the sweet factor in Healthy Relationships Action Week! 

Workshop with Atria Collective
Thursday, February 13, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Ross B011
Come have Taste of India with Atria Collective! At this workshop, you’ll learn about asserting boundaries, showing respect and care during conflict (in relationships of all kinds), and using communication strategies rooted in empathy and curiosity. Come eat and learn! Sign up to attend: go/boundariestindia

Be Our Valentine
Friday, February 14, 2:30 - 4:30pm
HWE offices, Ground floor of Ross
Come celebrate all kinds of love - romantic, platonic, community love, and self-love! Interactive activities with peer educators and advocates, fun valentines games, lots of giveaways, and candy!

Join SPECS sexual health peer educators for a night of BINGO that includes educational fun facts & even more fun prizes! 

Gratitude and appreciation can be demonstrated in all kinds of relationships and at any time. Drop by our table to write a note of appreciation to your bestie, your tutor, a sibling, or anyone else you want! 

Health Coaching

Health coaching involves supporting students as they set goals, name challenges, unearth values & strengths, and access intrinsic motivations to develop and sustain healthy behaviors and attitudes.

Health coaching is never a replacement for medical care or mental health counseling and is not appropriate to address crisis or emergency situations.

Have a question? Looking to build a skill? Health and Wellness Education can help! Read more here: Health Coaching

Yoga and Meditation

End your jam-packed day with a yoga session through the TimelyCare app, designed to help you gain a peaceful state of mind and relaxation through meditation or building body awareness and releasing tension. Classes available during the academic year. Registration and more information at go/TimelyCare

T (Tolerance) Break Guide

Sign up at go/TBreak and select Tolerance Break Guide. Any student can sign up who is interested in receiving information about cannabis, it’s effects on the body and mind. Email delivered supportive series designed to encourage students to take a break from cannabis.

21 Day Sleep Challenge

Email delivered sleep education focused on strategies and information about getting more rest. Sign Up at go/21DaySleepChallenge

Join in on Orientation Week’s events for this evening in McCullough - board games, video games, Sexy Bingo, Karaoke, and more! There will be snacks and delicious mocktails at our Zero Proof Bar to kick off events for Recovery Month.

Join us for an exciting afternoon of activities and demonstrations about different strategies to care for yourself and our community as a Middlebury student. Free ice cream from Sisters of Anarchy!

Want to get to know people on a deeper level?! Join Mental Health Peer Educators for an awesome night of snacks and connection through a mixture of fun and deep connections. See what might “spark” with a new friend.

Recovery Month is a nationally recognized month to spread awareness about addiction and substance misuse prevention, and to destigmatize recovery. We are all interconnected! Check out this month’s events to learn more and create a culture on campus that supports recovery. The full calendar is also available at go/recoverymonth.
 

Recovery Month Kick-off!
Monday, September 9, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Atwater Dining patio (rain location: TBA)
Come learn about September’s Recovery Month - a month nationally recognized to spread awareness about addiction, substance misuse prevention, and recovery - enter to win raffle prizes, free samples of alternative zero-proof beverages, and more!

Tune in to WRMC
September 9-30 - Anytime
On your own time
Tune in to WRMC to hear information about Addiction and Recovery from people in our community at school and locally!

Recovery Related Podcast & YouTube Recommendation
All month and beyond!
On your own time
Interested in learning about substance misuse? recovery? the effects of substances on the brain and body? Pick from the following podcasts and YouTube videos to get educated; enjoy some alone time or host a listening/watch party with friends. 

Get Outside with Middlebury Outdoor Programs!
All month and beyond!
On your own time
Friday climb at Falls of Lana? Sunrise/sunset midweek hike? Become an outdoor trip leader? Visit go/outdoors to sign in to the events platform that lists all outdoor activities arranged for Midd students! Create an account quickly with just your name, and check the Catalog to register for the most up to date outdoor trips, trainings, etc. No experience or gear required! Midd guides have the knowledge to help you through. Questions? Email mop@middlebury.edu.

Button Making and Recovery Awareness
Tuesday, September 10, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Atwater Dining patio (rain location TBA)
Help create a culture where Recovery is supported. Use our supplies to design, make, and wear your own button to promote Recovery for the month! Free giveaways available and more opportunities to enter to win raffle prizes. 

Learn about Recovery at the Student Activities Fair
Tuesday, September 17, 4:00 - 6:00pm
McCullough Lawn (Rain date: 9/18)
Interested in becoming a Recovery Coach? Want to learn about local support groups available for people in Recovery? Interested in starting a Collegiate Recovery group? Learn more about recovery and community connections by visiting Turning Point of Addison County’s table at the Student Activities Fair.

WRMC Hosts a Narcan Training!
Tuesday, September 17, 7:30 - 8:30pm
Gamut Room
Learn about opioid related overdoses and trends in substance misuse, and get trained to administer Narcan and how to use fentanyl test strips. Drinks and snacks provided. 

Wellness Wednesday - Movie Night!
Wednesday, September 18, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Sunderland 110
Opportunities to relax and enjoy company without centering substance use is a way to build a culture that supports Recovery. Join members of the Health and Wellness Education team for a Movie Night - popcorn, snacks, and drinks provided. Movie: Pixar’s Inside Out!

Reflect on Recovery
Monday, September 23, Anytime
On your own time
Thought prompt: Have you taken a class that talked about addiction and recovery? What did you learn? How does addiction and recovery intersect with your area of study?

Bouquets and Community Building
Tuesday, September 24, 4:45 - 6:00pm
The Knoll
Community connection is an antidote to addiction. Join members of the Counseling and Health and Wellness Education teams at The Knoll and build connections with others while learning how to build and arrange a flower bouquet and enjoying some drinks and snacks. This is a substance-free event bringing awareness to Recovery Month. All materials, snacks, and drinks will be provided. The Knoll is a substance-free place on campus. Sign up at go/recoverymonth.

Conversations on Recovery
Wednesday, September 25, 6:00 - 7:00pm
Munroe Hall, room 112
Conversations on Recovery: What is Recovery? Join staff from Turning Point of Addison County, Dr. Kristin Bright, Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Anna Hand, Health Educator with the Center for Health and Wellness, for a panel discussion about the social-ecological impacts on addiction and recovery; hear from people with lived experiences and learn how you can play a role in creating an inclusive community that destigmatizes addiction and holistically supports recovery. Dinner and drinks provided. 

Inaugural Thursday “Zero-Proof Bar” Bar Night
Thursday, September 26, 9:00 - 11:00pm
Wilson Cafe, McCullough
Gather with friends to enjoy snacks, free delicious mocktails, and live music from Soop Spoons at our Zero Proof Bar to close out our events for Recovery Month. Remember: community connection is an antidote to substance misuse! 

Fall Family Weekend
Friday - Sunday, September 27-29
On your own time
Connection is an antidote to addiction: choose an event during Fall Family Weekend and attend with a friend or family member that you can be yourself around. You are not alone!

Visit our table to tell us what kinds of programs and events you want to see with Wellness Wednesdays. Give us feedback & get a prize! 

Join a guided Forest Bathing walk, designed to offer you a sensory experience in nature. No experience with hiking required. Register at go/forestbathing. Lunch and transportation included.


 

Visit the outside of Proctor & Ross dining halls to celebrate Sexual Health Awareness Month with Earth & Salt and SPECS educators. Enter our raffle for the chance to win MULTIPLE sexy prizes! 

Walking & Rolling Tree Tour

Partnering with the Disability Resource Center & Horticulturist Tim Parsons, join us for a guided tree tour with delicious fall snacks! Golf carts provided for mobility access. Please email kbeavers@middlebury.edu if there are ways we can increase access for this event. 

Come be in community for Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAPM) and decorate pumpkins with pressed flowers & leaves.

Come plant yellow tulips, a symbol of hope and connection for suicide prevention. Enjoy community and snacks, and spending time with others who are passionate about mental health and community well-being. 

Wellness Wednesdays is excited to switch it up and highlight one of our awesome campus partners - the Scott Center. Check out their weekday morning sitting meditation, Wakeful Wednesdays, and SlowDown events all happening on Wednesdays! 

October is Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Each year Middlebury recognizes this important month as a reminder to our community that we can be a part of building a community free from violence. By raising awareness in our community and practicing skills to disrupt abusive or violent behaviors we can help to reduce the number of people affected and show our support for survivors. The full calendar of events is also available at go/dvpam.
 

Snacks with Advocates
Thursday, October 3, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Davis Library vestibule
Drop by to meet some of our campus advocates who provide support for students experiencing power based personal violence. Ask your questions and enjoy some snacks!

Green Dot Overview for All
Thursday, October 3, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
HWE Office, Ross ground floor
Students, staff and faculty are all welcome to join an overview of Green Dot. Learn important bystander intervention skills, and practice using them in different scenarios. Bring your lunch with you and enjoy a special Green Dot cake for dessert! Sign up at go/greendotoverview.

Atria Collective Support Group
Thursdays: October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Email davina@atriavt.org for group location
Join Atria Collective Advocates for an open drop-in style in person for an hour a week, with the ability to switch to virtual. This is a space for survivors of dating and domestic violence, stalking and/or sexual assault to share and seek support around individual needs. Join any time and come to as many or few sessions as you like. The time to seek information around group-identified topics. Email davina@atriavt.org for group location.

Crossroads with Middlebury’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs)
Tuesday, October 8, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Davis Library vestibule
Meet and learn more about Middlebury’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). These Nurse Practitioners have special training to complete exams for students who have experienced sexual violence. Stop by the table with questions and receive a free Crossroads drink.

Green Dot Tabling
Friday, October 11, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Ross patio (rain location: McCullough foyer)
Come grab some treats and talk about relationship green flags with our resident Green Dot intern.

Coping with Difficult Emotions for Better Relationships with Taste of India
Monday, October 14, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
HWE Office, Ross ground floor
Ever found yourself making mistakes in your relationships when you’re upset or angry? Join Health Educator, Maddie Hope-Lyng and learn ways to manage overwhelming emotions to improve the health of your friendships and intimate relationships. Enjoy a delicious meal from Taste of India and be entered to win the Tell Me More card game. Register at go/DVAMRelationships/.

Green Dot Watch Party and Discussion: Interview with a Vampire
Friday, October 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Axinn 232
Come grab snacks and watch Season 1 Episode 1 of “Interview with a Vampire,” followed by a discussion about the warning signs of dating or relationship violence depicted in the show.

Button-making for Purple Thursday 
October 21, 22, 23, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Atwater Terrace (rain location: McCullough Foyer)
Learn about how purple buttons can help show support for those experiencing domestic or dating violence. Make a button in preparation for our campus wide observation of Purple Thursday on 10/24.

Purple Thursday
Thursday, October 24, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Proctor Terrace (rain location: Axinn Winter Garden)
The third Thursday of October is nationally recognized as Purple Thursday. On this day, people nationwide are encouraged to wear purple to increase awareness for domestic violence. Join us in wearing purple clothing to show support for those who have experienced relationship violence.

We will be tabling to share resources that support survivors of power-based personal violence, and we will also be sharing Green Dot strategies for violence prevention.

Non-Violent Communication: Skills for Authentic Connection Workshop and Taste of India Dinner!
Monday, October 28, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
HWE Office, Ross ground floor
Have you ever felt like it was impossible to understand what someone else was feeling? Is it hard to communicate what you need to those around you sometimes? Join AVP for Student Health and Well-being Barbara McCall for this fun, low-pressure workshop where we’ll learn some strategies to center needs and feelings using a card game participants can take home to use with friends, roommates, partners, and family. Register at go/DVAMRelationships/

 

5-day Gratitude Challenge Kick Off
On your own time
Virtual
Sign up to receive a weekday, daily email prompt to explore a different area of gratitude. When we express gratitude it can improve our mood and help us cope with difficult experiences! Sign up here.

Through the Noise
Monday, November 4, 2024, 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Mitchell Green Lounge
In the midst of challenging world events and political turmoil, let’s take time to pause and practice compassion for ourselves and each other.

Operator’s Manual
Monday, November 4, 2024, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mitchell Green Lounge
Sometimes getting yourself to do a project is harder than the project itself. Start building expertise on how your mind works. We will get familiar with the prefrontal cortex to be strategic in how to get started, follow through, and begin again when things don’t go as planned.

Shred Your Worries
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Atwater Dining Terrace
Find yourself being bombarded by worry? Try out this fun way to take a break from your thoughts. Shred them with us! 

De-stress with balloon painting
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Outside of the Prism Center
Come by the Prism Center and create community art in an act of de-stressing-throwing water balloons full of paint!

Visit with Milo the Therapy Dog!
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Davis Family Library Lobby
Stop by for some time with one of Middlebury’s certified therapy dogs, Milo!

Aikido in Everyday Life
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 4:30pm - 5:45pm
Goldsmith Lounge, Athletics Complex
Read more about this new group here.

Messages of Hope - Yellow Tulip Paper Garden
Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
BiHall, Great Hall
Did you know yellow tulips are a symbol of suicide prevention and mental health promotion? Come make an origami yellow tulip to add to our messages of hope and support garden or take with you to share with a friend. 

Stress Less BINGO
On your own time
Virtual
Complete this fun activity to get inspired about new ways to manage stress!

Light Therapy Lamp Demos
Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Health & Wellness Education Office (ground floor below Ross Dining)
Curious about light therapy?! Come to the HWE office to learn more about these resources. Make some tea, bring a friend and hang out under the light for a bit!

The Huddle
Thursday, November 7, 2024, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Atwater Seminar Room
The Huddle is an opportunity to gather with other student athletes to explore challenges and nurture well-being.

Letters to Loved Ones with Hot Cider and Pie!
Thursday, November 7, 2024, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Hosted by Mental Health Peer Educators
Davis Library Room 230
Did you know writing a letter to someone you care about can boost your and their mental well-being? Take some time to write a letter to someone you care about. Stationary, stamps and pens provided! Enjoy some hot cider and pie too.

Morning Tea Time
Friday, November 8, 2024, 10:00am - 11:00am
Prism Center
Questions about counseling? Ideas for support? Curious about mental health resources? Want to talk about pets? Just want to drink tea?

Fresh Check Day - “Checking in on Midd”
Friday, November 8, 2024, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Wilson Hall, McCullough
An uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event that includes interactive expo booths from student groups and multiple campus departments and community connection. Enjoy free food, performances and be entered to win: Nintendo Switch, Squishmallows, Learn to Crochet Kits, JBL Speakers and more!

During the last two weeks of the semester, departments all around campus host events designed to reduce and relieve the upcoming stress of finals - called Stressbusters! We hope you enjoy these events and find moments of joy and connection in between studying. Check out go/stressbusters for the two week calendar and go/stressbustersplaintext for the plain text calendar.
 

Doodle it out! 
Monday, November 18, 2024, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Forest basement activity space
Take a moment to pause perfection and draw outside of the lines - GIANT canvas paper covering the walls and floor and markers provided! 

FREE 15-minute massages! 
Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
HWE office, ground floor of Ross
Sign up for a free, 15-minute massage! go/HWEmassage

Weekly Dog Time with Milo
Tuesday, November 19 & December 3, 2024, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Outside or inside Davis Library
Quality dog time with Milo!

Take a mindfulness break: Guided belly-breathing meditation
Friday, November 22, 2024, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
HWE office, ground floor of Ross
Guided belly breathing meditations offered at 1pm and 1:15pm.

Pie Hall with MiddSafe
Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Great Hall in Bi Hall
Swing by Bi Hall to grab a slice of pie from MiddSafe advocates and learn all about the MiddSafe hotline (802-377-0239)

SPECS Trivia Night
Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Mitchell Green Room, McCullough 3rd floor
SPECS (Sex Positive Education for College Students) will be hosting a sex ed trivia night where students can learn sexual health fun facts, eat snacks, and potentially win prizes!

FREE 30-minute group acupuncture
Monday, December 2, 2024, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Mitchell Green Lounge, 3rd floor McCullough
Sign up at go/acupuncture

Sparks and Scrolls
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Outside Atwater Dining
Busting stress with connection: Come grab a scroll with a connection question to share with friends during lunch. 

Paint & Sip: Merry Mugs
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
HWE office, ground floor of Ross
Receive a blank mug to decorate and design your stress away. Free snacks and beverages supplied.

Craftstravaganza
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 10:30am - 12:30pm
HWE office, ground floor of Ross
Craft supplies and connection galore. Bring your creativity - even if you don’t think you have any, we’ve got a craft that has you covered. 

FREE 15-minute massages! 
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 11:30am - 1:30pm
HWE office, ground floor of Ross
Sign up for a free, 15-minute massage! go/HWEmassage

Get Crafty!
Friday, December 6, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
HWE office, ground floor of Ross
Take a little break and come get your craft on!

Competitive Gingerbread House Making with Green Dot
Friday, December 6, 2024, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Coltrane Lounge, Adirondack House
Join Green Dot as we let our competitive sides come out to see who can make the best gingerbread house while also learning about how we can utilize Green Dot strategies off-campus! Sign up here.

Wondering how you could learn more about Green Dot? Need a quick refresher on the Green Dot strategies? Interested in finding new ways to promote safety and care on campus? Swing by our table in the Great Hall in Bi Hall and get some info!