The Shippensburg University Wellness Program recently teamed up with the Drew Michael Taylor Foundation (DMTF), a local non-profit organization, to provide grief support activities on campus for SU students who are grieving the death of a loved one or beloved pet.
During the fall 2021 semester, a different workshop was offered each month. Events included creating a memorial collage photo frame for students grieving the death of a pet, GriefInk held a discussion about memorial tattoos, a “Speaking Grief” documentary film viewing followed by a student panel discussion and a remembrance ornament making activity.
While these activities are not counseling services, as counseling is available to students through the SU Counseling Center, they still provide students with a way to cope with grief. The activities use a peer-led support model, which means that grievers gather with fellow grievers for validation, encouragement and support on their grief journey.
As the spring 2022 semester begins, the first activity on the SU Wellness Program schedule is a snowflake mandala painting activity to remind grievers that everyone grieves differently, just like every snowflake is different.
The event will take place in CUB 119 on Monday, Feb. 28, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required by Friday, Feb. 25, because canvases must be prepared prior to the event for each participant. Email Marcie Taylor at drewmichaeltaylor@pa.net to register for the event.
The SU Wellness Program and the DMTF would like to connect with more grieving students and learn what activities can help to support them on campus. Hiking/nature activities, knitting and other arts/crafts activities, meeting for coffee and discussion and book discussions or movies with grief themes have all been discussed, but they want to hear what you need and want.
In addition to on campus support, the DMTF offers multiple free grief support groups and workshops at the Drew’s Hope Grief Center, 946 Ashton Drive, Shippensburg. The center is about two miles from campus. To learn more, visit www.drewmichaeltaylor.org.
Reach out to SU Wellness Director, Kurt Dunkel at kadunkel@ship.edu, or DMTF co-founder, Marcie Taylor, at drewmichaeltaylor@pa.net, if you would like to be notified about future events or if you have ideas for activities.
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