Finding a Place at Yeshiva for Healthy Living and Mental Health Awareness

You may not have been aware when deciding on Yeshiva University and its dual curriculum that this decision would  be the source of so many sleepless nights, jam packed days and  just a little too much anxiety and stress that often leads one to fizzle away.  More generally speaking, our culture also comes with some negative baggage, namely an overly intense drive to succeed and be the best, coupled with negative habits like physical inactivity and poor eating habits, which may underscore why rates of obesity and depression continue to sky rocket. 

Within the last few years, two new organizations have come on to the YU stage in an attempt to address these realities of life. The Center for Healthy Living, founded last year, has established itself as a student organization which seeks to help foster healthier physical, mental and spiritual lifestyle among the student body. Active Minds on Campus is a program of Active Minds, Inc. that exists as a student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy organization on the Yeshiva campuses.

Active Minds serves as the young adult voice in mental health advocacy on college campuses nationwide. The group is designed to utilize peer outreach to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues and symptoms of mental illness, provide information about available resources, encourage students to seek help as soon as help is needed, and to serve as a liaison between students and the mental health community. By promoting awareness and education, the group aims to remove the stigma that surrounds mental illness and to create an open environment for discussion of mental health issues. Every chapter of Active Minds on Campus chooses to focus on at least one specific aspect of mental illness. Here at YU, because our undergraduate campuses are so small, and thus many people “talk,” Active Minds has chosen to work toward removing the stigma associated with seeking professional help for a mental illness.

The Center for Healthy Living is a unique university organization which takes a proactive stance when it comes to issues of physical and mental health. Although awareness is a pillar of this organization, the group feels passionately that it is critical to provide individuals with the tools and strategies to aid themselves in leading stronger healthier lives. One of the cornerstones of the organization has been their weekly yoga workshops, which are offered free of charge. It is their belief that yoga, a discipline which fuses physical exercise and mental relaxation techniques, is an activity from which every individual can benefit.

Their classes attract an eclectic audience drawing individuals from different groups at YU, and also a combination of regular attendees and first timers. Though, as the leaders of the club continue to assert, they are more than just yoga. This year, they have continued to diversify and will be hosting events targeting nutrition, sleep strategies, exercise and stress reduction/ relaxation workshops.

This year the Center for Healthy Living is rallying support under the slogan, “YU Matter.” The thought being that we often fail to acknowledge or seriously dedicate the attention and care that our bodies need. This campaign is a charge for all students to begin to listen to their bodies and begin investing in themselves. One of the founders of the club described that this summer, he finally achieved his goal of competing in a triathlon. “I was overjoyed by a sense of accomplishment after having completed my first race. My eyes are now set on completing an ‘Ironman.’ It’s all about personal bests and personal successes. I believe that completing a triathlon is within everyone’s reach, it’s only a matter of will and determination.” The hope of the “YU Matter” campaign is to help generate a healthier environment by inspiring individuals and helping them to realize that their dreams are within reach.

Lead by example and be a mentor. Send your stories and photos to yuhealthyliving@gmail.com so that we can post your triumphs and successes on our website and in the Commentator. The aim is that one’s stories can have the potential to motivate others. You can also help by mentoring, including your email or posting advice. Everyone has something to be proud of, whether it be a marathon, learning to play a particular song on the trumpet, conquering one’s fears or illness, or summiting a mountain.

Some Upcoming Events:

“Unleash Your Inner Energy”

This program will be lead by Dr. Harvey Sober a professor at YU and a world renowned martial artist. The tai chi/meditative workshop will aid individuals to develop a sense of their inner energy and learning how to focus their attention.

“Stress Management Workshop"

This joint, Active Minds and Center for Healthy Living, event will
be lead by YU’s own Dr. Pelcovitz. The aim of this event is to help
equip students with some important knowledge and skills to allow them to
handle the semester with more grace.

“Sleeping Strategies”

Getting a good night sleep is critical for academic success, and physical and mental health. During finals, when stress, anxiety and caffeine levels are sky high, a good night’s rest may be out of reach for many of us as our minds continue to race. This event will address some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to getting good sleep, and outline some important strategies. This event is cosponsored by the Center for Healthy Living and Counseling Center and will take place in mid December.

For more information about Active Minds, check their website at
www.activemindsatyu.wordpress.com, or on our facebook group ACTIVE MINDS
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY, or email us at activeminds@yu.edu.

For more information about the Center for Healthy Living contact yuhealthyliving@gmail.com A web site is underway.