Final Report
by Astha Sethi
Care Corner
making someone feel better
1.1 Vision Statement
In my vision of an Equal Earth, I see a world where everyone is treated equally. Education, healthcare, food, and shelter are freely accessible to all, ensuring that every person can thrive without discrimination or deprivation. This is the world I strive for, where equality is our guiding principle and every individual's potential is realized.
1.2 Care Interest Statement
The problem is the lack of equitable access to affordable, effective, and stigma-free mental health services and resources for individuals. This entails addressing and removing barriers associated with socioeconomic disparities, geographic variations, and cultural diversity to ensure that all individuals can avail themselves of the necessary support for their mental well-being.
1.3 Care Focus
The project's central focus is to design and implement a community-based intervention aimed at enhancing the overall well-being of university students. This initiative aims to cultivate a supportive and inclusive community within The New School, with a specific focus on democratizing mental health resources and services to address the unique challenges and stressors faced by students during their academic journey.
1.4 Inspiration
“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind.”
Orr, Professor Environment Studies, Oberlin College
David
2.1 Problem Mapping
Mental health is a complex and multifaceted concept encompassing an individual's emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and several root causes contribute to the lack of accessibility of mental health care for individuals.
Nature of Mental Health Root
2.2 Stakeholder Mapping
Engaging these key stakeholders will help in creating a collaborative approach to designing communitybased interventions.
University Administration
Students of The New School
Counseling and Health Services
Faculty and Academic Staff
Mental Health Advocacy Groups
Parents and Family Members
Local Mental Health Providers
Peer Support Groups
Government and Regulatory Bodies
Technology and Digital Platforms
Mental Health Researchers
Student Government and Organizations
Community Leaders and Organizations
Diversity and Inclusion Offices
Legal and Compliance Experts
2.3 Research Plan
Conversations: Start with informal conversations to establish initial rapport and gain a broad understanding of the mental health landscape at your university.
In-depth Interviews: Dive deeper into specific aspects of the mental health challenges and needs identified during the initial conversations.
Contextual Inquiry: Observe and understand how students interact with existing mental health resources and services within the university environment. 3.
Focus Group: Bring together a diverse group of students to facilitate discussion, idea generation, and validation of key findings.
In-depth Interviews
Inquiry Focus Groups
(Prompts to spark conversations in the community workshop)
2.4 Research Objectives
Examine the Care Issue from a Systems and Equity Perspective
Understand the Needs and Challenges of the University Community at SHS
Identify Existing Examples of Addressing the Care Issue
3.1 Participating in Existing Practices
Peace begins with her by Inside Out Project
3.2 Comparing Analogous and Digital
3.3 Community Workshop Ideas
Idea 1
Failures to Feathers
A workshop on embracing, painting, and transforming our vulnerable stories into a piece of powerful art together
Idea 2
Greeting Cards for Healing
A workshop to craft Light-up (LED) greeting cards for loved ones and share stories of gratitude, apologies, and love
Idea 3
Uniting Pieces of Purpose
The workshop discovers students' vision, and creates a unified puzzle of purpose(vision boards).
Idea 4
Before I Graduate, I want to ____________ Whiteboard activity to finish the sentence on what are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of students before they graduate?
3.3 Community Workshop Ideas
Idea 1
Failures to Feathers
A workshop on embracing, painting, and transforming our vulnerable stories into a piece of powerful art together
Idea 2
Greeting Cards for Healing
A workshop to craft Light-up (LED) greeting cards for loved ones and share stories of gratitude, apologies, and love
Idea 3
Uniting Pieces of Purpose
The workshop discovers students' vision, and creates a unified puzzle of purpose(vision boards).
Idea 4
Before I Graduate, I want to ____________ Whiteboard activity to finish the sentence on what are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of students before they graduate?
3.4 Before I Graduate
Finish the sentence: What are your hopes, dreams, and aspirations? What do you want to achieve before you walk across that stage in your cap and gown? It could be big or small, personal or academic, serious or fun.
Share a Photo: If you are comfortable sharing your photo, use the photo booth feature by clicking on the red icon (zoom in enough to find it clickable). Take a picture and upload it near your answer. Your photo is entirely optional, and your message can stand alone if you prefer not to include a picture.
Figma FigJAM Board
3.5 Greeting Cards for Healing
The workshop aims to provide a space for creative expression, emotional healing, and strengthening connections with loved ones.
Strengthening Relationships
Promoting Healing
Fostering Gratitude
Quick Tutorial: How to craft light-up cards?
3.6 Prompts to spark conversations
Can you share a time when a simple gesture or message from a loved one significantly impacted your mental wellbeing?
Share a story about a time when expressing gratitude to someone made a positive difference in your life.
Share an experience when an apology or forgiveness played a role in improving your mental well-being.
What are some self-care practices that you find effective for maintaining mental well-being as a student?
How might crafting and sharing a card that expresses love and care contribute to a culture of kindness and support on campus?
4. Research Insights
Mindfulness as a powerful practice for Mental Well-being: Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present in the moment without judgment, has emerged as a powerful practice for enhancing mental well-being
Community Engagement through Representation: Beyond acknowledging diversity, involving community representatives fosters engagement. Their insights can help tailor services to specific cultural needs and language preferences, creating a more inclusive environment.
The Nexus of Art, Creativity, and Wellness: Exploring how creative expression can positively impact mental health can lead to innovative therapeutic approaches.
4. Research Insights
The Quest for Hope: It's evident that students are not merely seeking solutions but also hope. The role of hope as a driving force in education and mental health support cannot be underestimated.
Anonymous Support for Vulnerable Individuals: Recognizing that some individuals feel more comfortable seeking help anonymously is essential. This highlights the need for a variety of approaches to ensure accessibility for everyone.
Navigating the Cost of Living Crisis: The cost of living crisis is a significant concern that impacts the well-being of many. It's essential to consider how economic factors affect mental health and explore strategies for mitigating the stress associated with financial pressures.
5. Care Corner
Care Corner is a space to make someone feel better through care, craft, and creativity. CRAFT
Wellness Activity Hub: An analogous space dedicated to various wellness activities that cater to different needs and preferences.
Online Documentation Wall: A central online platform where users can document their experiences and progress. This documentation not only serves as a personal reflection tool but also helps others learn from shared experiences.
5.1 How it works?
Step 1: Sharing Stories
Participants gather in a welcoming space. They begin by sharing stories of moments when someone made them feel better. These stories create a space of connection.
Step 2: Crafting Light-Up Cards
Inspired by the shared stories, participants engage in crafting light-up cards. These cards become symbols of hope, aiming to make someone else feel better.
Step 3: Amplifying Stories
After crafting their cards, participants are invited to share the intention behind their creations. As these stories are shared, a collective sense of warmth and empathy multiplies within the room, making hope grow bigger than individual problems.
5.2 Features
Share your story
After the activity is done, there’s an option to document the stories on the online platform of Care Corner if participants wish to share.
Open-source platform
This platform serves as an open-source resource hub with lesson plans, ready-made kits and facilitation guide so that anyone can participate or even take initiative to organize this workshop.
Care Corner workshop in The New School
5.3 Scope
Care Corner can exist in many spaces like after school, workplaces, neighborhoods, public parks, and other community centers.
As real stories and genuine smiles light up these moments, let's keep spreading care, one card at a time.
Let's make someone feel better.
