New Groups starting Spring 2023
The Body Project
Have you ever felt insecure or uncomfortable in your body? If yes, it’s normal, and it’s not your fault! Most people internalize an unattainable body ideal, which can lead to low self-esteem and negative thoughts and behaviors. Ready to break free? The Body Project is here for you.
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Developed by the Oregon Research Institute, The Body Project is a dissonance-based body-acceptance program designed to help people resist and challenge cultural pressures to conform to the appearance ideal standard of beauty and reduce their pursuit of unrealistic bodies. These peer support groups help us to learn how to combat negative body talk and gain strategies on how to support ourselves and others through times of negative body image.
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This program started in Autumn 2022 in UL, and we have received such positive feedback we are running more groups this Spring Semester (2023). Groups will typically start in Week 3 or Week 4.
Our mission is to deconstruct ideal appearance standards and empower UL students to embrace the unique qualities of themselves and others.
How does it work?
Peer Groups
Starting Week 3 and Week 4 of Spring 2023
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Sign-up below!
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Groups run for 1 hour a week for 4 consecutive weeks (in-person in the Psychology Dept - secluded room, off the main corridor).
Small groups of 5-8 people, led by 2 trained peer facilitators. Choose your group preference (all-female, mixed gender).
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Got questions? Email Growth@ul.ie
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We will work around your schedules and timetables to find suitable times!
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Please note that depending on interest the groups may fill up quickly. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis.
Engage in Research!
Would you like free blood pressure readings and an immune function report?
We want to learn more about student stress and student life.
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We would really like to ask you some questions about your mood, emotions, and your stress levels (including biological immune markers of stress).
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This would involve answering questions, having your blood pressure measured, and providing a saliva sample (to measure your immune function) - however, you can choose not to take part in these bits if you prefer! We would like to do this before the first meeting, then again after the last meeting, and hopefully 12 weeks after the groups are finished. This is optional.
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We can give you a report on your physical health (blood pressure & immune function)!
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As a thank you we will give you some freebies at each stage (e.g., coffee cups, water bottles, earphones).