The Holistic Huskies Podcast

The Holistic Huskies

Serena Verma
A community where UConn students can express their experiences with mental health and inspire students to take charge of their wellness.
HHE10: Dr. Thomas Long’s Support of Mental Health Within UConn’s School of Nursing
Welcome back to a new episode of Holistic Huskies! Morgan Xu, a new member of our team, will kick it off by interviewing Dr. Thomas Long, a medical humanities professor and the director of UConn's Nursing Learning Community. As he wraps up his time in his beloved world of academia, Dr. Long reflects on his educational journey, ways students can improve their mental health or find long-term support, and challenges he's witnessed new generations of nursing students go through.  Contact us: [email protected] Visit our page: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/holistic-huskies/ Follow us on social media: @uconnstudenthealth If you are a UConn student in need of mental health support, please contact UConn student health and wellness at (860)-486-4705 or check out our website to learn more about the mental health services offered: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/mental-health/
Apr 26, 2022
18 min
HHE09: Giving to Receive: Fresh Check with Refreshr
In today’s episode, we are shamelessly plugging the incredible and fast-growing platform Refreshr, a grassroots movement led by UConn students Jamison Cote and Alex Kim to foster community amongst college students during the pandemic. We had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Jamison last Fall and get the low-down on what this campaign is all about, Jamison’s motivation for starting it, and how you can get involved in this wonderful initiative. Follow Refreshr on social media: @refreshrcampaign Join the Refreshr movement: refresher.org Stay tuned to Fresh Check week: suicideprevention.uconn.edu/events Contact us: [email protected] Visit our page: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/holistic-huskies/ Follow us on social media: @uconnstudenthealth If you are a UConn student in need of mental health support, please contact UConn student health and wellness at (860)-486-4705 or check out our website to learn more about the mental health services offered: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/mental-health/
Mar 15, 2021
12 min
HHE08: New Perspectives, Neuroscience, and the NFL: Spencer's Growth from Grief
Welcome back to another episode of the Holistic Huskies! Today we have Spencer Low, a recent UConn graduate, to speak to the hardship of losing a loved one. Four years ago, Spencer lost his father to suicide. This blow, though devastating, taught him the value of empathy, honesty, and preventative mental health. Join us as Spencer shares his journey through grief, and how he finally found his passion for mental health and cognitive science.  Also stay tuned for our take on the NFL controversy of Dak Prescott's transparency on his mental health. To find resources from UConn Student Health and Wellness, follow @uconnstudenthealth on instagram or check out https://shs.uconn.edu/. If you would like to be featured on the show, please each out to [email protected] and tell us a little bit about yourself! All interviews are conducted virtually, and we accept anyone with a story to share! Thank you for your time, and stay healthy huskies!
Jan 19, 2021
36 min
HHE07: Finding Ways to Give: Craig's UConn Experience as a Single Parent
Hi everyone! We hope that everyone is staying safe, finding ways to cope with today's uncertainties, and staying strong in the fight for justice. This episode, recorded on April 13th 2020, is a window into the life of Craig Alejos, a UConn alumnus from the class of 2019. After serving in the military for 5 years, Craig enrolled as a Human Development and Family Science major at UConn at age 27. As if that wasn't unconventional enough, he also was the sole caretaker of his 5 year old daughter. Fighting through stigma, past relationship trauma, and depression, Craig's resilience grew as well as his unrelenting capacity for empathy and kindness. He tells his story on what his hardships have taught him, and how others can use their pain to grow and give back to others. Feel free to reach out to him using the information below! Craig's Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailordad1987 Twitter: @sailordad1987 And if you'd like to stay updated on our episodes, give us a follow on instagram @holistic_huskies! Thank you!  ***please forgive us for the audio quality - we recorded during a storm and didn't have the best connection!***
Jul 12, 2020
41 min
HHEO6: Mindfulness: The Windover Wellness Hack
Hi everyone, and welcome back to another installment of the Holistic Huskies! Today we have mental health superstar and my personal friend, Catherine Windover! Catherine details her journey about discovering her anxiety disorder in high school, and the steps she took to take control of her negative thoughts even in the midst of the suicide of a loved one and the onset of her depression. This strong, talented and intelligent individual is here to tell you how mindfulness might just save you from the dark places of your mind.
Apr 19, 2020
34 min
HHE05: Lauren’s Guide to Excelling in Exile
Welcome back Huskies! Today’s episode is about how to succeed academically at Zoom University™. Lauren Granville, a psychology major at UConn, is here to show you how to utilize the academic achievement center (https://achieve.uconn.edu/resources/ ) and the center for students with disabilities (https://csd.uconn.edu/resources-2/ ) remotely, and also how to keep up with clubs and activities at home. And as always, check us out on Instagram @holistic_huskies! Stay well everyone💙
Apr 19, 2020
23 min
HHE04: Prescribing Prayer: How Faith Helped this Student Grow From Trauma
Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Holistic Huskies. Ever wondered how religion could play a role in one’s mental health? In times of hardship or trauma it is not uncommon to look to a higher power for guidance and reassurance. In this episode, a UConn senior opens up about a traumatic life event and how she processed it using some aspects of her Catholic faith and by learning how to seize control by relinquishing it altogether. And remember to follow us on Instagram @holistic_huskies for resources, episode updates, and guest spotlights. Stay healthy huskies 💙
Apr 11, 2020
23 min
HHE03: Corona Control Freaks: Psychologist Dr. Park’s Pandemic Wellness Tips
Welcome back to another installment of the Holistic Huskies! Today we have the special honor of being joined by UConn’s distinguished professor in spiritual and wellness psychology, Dr. Crystal Park! She shares her current research, tips on starting a quarantine routine, and advice on letting go of life’s uncontrollable factors. Be sure to check out her website (https://spiritualitymeaningandhealth.uconn.edu/dr-crystal-park/), plus UConn SHAW’s tips on staying well during the pandemic (https://counseling.uconn.edu/mental-health-covid19/). SHAW is still offering individual psychotherapy, medication management, and their emergency mental health hotline, so don’t be afraid to reach out! For updates and more resources, give us a follow on Instagram @holistic_huskies, and as always, stay well!
Apr 10, 2020
15 min
HHE02: From Binging to Believing: Jackie’s Journey to Reclaim Her Life
Welcome back Huskies! Our guest today is my friend Jackie, a girl who exudes confidence but actually opens up about her complicated history with eating disorders, depression, marijuana usage, and her eventual triumphs using a growth mindset. Stick with us to the end for some -off topic- bloopers! And don’t forget to stay updated with us on Instagram @holistic_huskies 💙
Apr 10, 2020
41 min
HHE01: Disabilities, Depression, and Dysphoria - Robyn's Quest for Support at UConn
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for tuning in to our very first episode! Have you ever wondered what's like going into college with not just one, or two, but three disabilities on top of depression, a panic disorder, anxiety, and the prejudice of being a transgender non-binary individual? Robyn, our inspiring speaker, walks us through their journey with mental health, opening up about the help they received through SHAW, how to get medication, and what it's like being part of the LGBTQ community on campus.   Like what you hear? Want to stay updated? Do you want more information on UConn's wellness resources? Give us a follow on our instagram @holistic_huskies!
Apr 7, 2020
31 min