(Originally shared April 24, 2023)
The world is a stressful place right now, so it’s no surprise that the concept of self-care continues to grab headlines. But self-care didn’t start out as a billion-dollar segment of the beauty industry. It arose in the medical community in the 1950’s and referred to a patient’s ability to perform basic health-supporting activities. It was also recognized that dealing with sick and dying patients caused emotional stress, and medical personnel provided better patient care when they prioritized their own health.
Self-care was adopted in the 1960’s by the Black Panthers, when Black activists recognized that the effects of social inequality and racial bias in the medical system was taking a mental and physical toll on Black bodies. Many activist groups now borrow the airline safety rule “put on your own safety mask before assisting others” to acknowledge that no matter how important your cause, you need to take care of your own health to effectively help anyone else.
Whether you’re stressed from current events, work, or personal concerns, it doesn’t have to be expensive, daunting, or selfish to practice self-care. There are some great local resources in Geneva:
- Family Counseling Services of the Finger Lakes – https://fcsfl.org/
- LGBTQ+ Program at Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes – https://fcsfl.org/lgbtq-program
Here’s how Geneva-based students, staff, and faculty can connect to support at Cornell:
- Students can contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) through their website or by calling 607-255-5155. Telehealth appointments are available, so you don’t need to drive to Ithaca to receive care.
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (607-255-2673) provides services to benefits-eligible faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows and associates, visiting scholars, and retirees based in Geneva (and their partners/spouses). You just need to be physically located in New York State. Most appointments are via Zoom or phone, and each person is eligible for up to 10 counseling sessions each calendar year. You can make an appointment online or by phone.
When you practice self-care, you’re not only taking care of yourself, but also modeling self-care to those around you, letting them know it’s ok to take care of themselves.
At AgriTech we grow things – including ourselves.
Sincerely,
Anna Katharine Mansfield and Amara Dunn
AgriTech DEI Council co-chairs