UF’s Counseling and Wellness Center’s AWARE Ambassadors are hosting a weeklong event series starting on Monday to destigmatize mental health.
The events, called #UFisAWARE, will be held daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Amanda Lawson-Ross, a coordinator for the AWARE Ambassadors, also known as Awareness Wellness Ambassadors Reaching Everyone. Each event will focus on a different topic regarding mental health, including mindfulness on Monday and wellness on Wednesday.
“Just to kind of normalize it and see that we all have one of those moments where we need to talk to someone else,” said Lawson-Ross, a licensed psychologist employed at the CWC.
All of the events will be held by Century Tower, except for Thursday’s event on the North Lawn, which includes physical activities for students.
Ronald Levinson, AWARE’s director of external programming, said all activities were designed by the ambassadors.
Levinson, a 19-year-old UF biochemistry and molecular biology sophomore, said he wanted to join AWARE after struggling with depression and anxiety in high school.
“If I could get just one person to utilize the resources at the Counseling and Wellness Center then all the work I’ve put into this program will be worth it,” he said.
John Kim, a UF microbiology and cell science junior, said he wants to attend an event to do his part to destigmatize mental health issues.
“We are the ones who will be the future parents, doctors, lawyers, etc.,” he said, “so we are the ones who will have the greatest ability to bring about this change.”
#UFisAWARE events
- Mindfulness Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Century Tower for students to learn about mindfulness and received buttons.
- Taco ‘bout it Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Century Tower with free tacos.
- Wellness Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Century Tower to learn about wellness and receive a water bottle.
- Playful Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the North Lawn with an inflatable bungee run, entertainment, pizza and games.
- #UFisAWARE on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Century Tower with food, music, a photo booth and student organization booths.
