Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion

For her sister's birthday, our Research Associate Sabrina went to the Pink Pier in NYC. What a great photo op!

This week at collab connections the staff learned more about how data is analyzed and used. Our team member, and resident data guy, Eugene led the discussion since he does most of the data analysis. This was a super helpful and informative conversation for the staff since we are often the ones collecting data..

Identifying welcoming places in your community is a key step to increasing your participation and getting out of the house more! Access this month’s micro-training and companion journal to reflect on what makes places in your community welcoming to you.

Micro-training: https://tucollab.short.gy/micro3
This month's journal prompts start on page 51: https://tucollab.short.gy/2026

Learn more about how self-efficacy and autonomy of students with serious mental illnesses can increase their confidence in succeeding at school at this link: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/prj0000600

Community participation is a vital part of health and recovery for people with mental health conditions, and feeling genuinely welcomed makes all the difference. Check out our newest micro-training to learn what research reveals about welcoming places and how individuals, peers, providers, and communities can help create and strengthen them. Access it here: https://tucollab.short.gy/micro3

Our Research Associate Lola loves to try eateries around the Philly area. Here she is having a cup of ice cream from The Vanilla Bean in Wayne, a 10/10 ice cream shop!

Please welcome our newest research coordinator, Beth! She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Temple University, and she received her undergraduate degree at Temple as well.

Before working at the Collaborative, Beth was a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso. She is fluent in French and enjoy crafting in her free time. Her community connection goal for 2026 is to attend at least one concert or live performance a week. We are so happy to have her join our team!

Make your own personal medicine list!

Write down your favorite activities:
• taking a walk
• sitting outside
• visiting a museum

Connect them to your health
• reduce my stress
• improve my mood
• feel creative

Make a point to improve your health by doing the things you love! Want to learn more? Check out our training!

Learn the “personal medicine” approach here: https://tucollab.short.gy/jJKkEY
Plan your next step in the journal: https://tucollab.short.gy/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Collab! Remember that mental health issues don’t negate the need for love and intimacy. Our resource ‘Love like Everyone Else’ celebrates intimate partnerships of those with mental health diagnoses, emphasizing their importance for wellness. Check it out here: https://tucollab.short.gy/Love

Here’s a simple challenge for today:
Discuss the idea that “being in the community is part of health, not just treatment" with someone.

Share what you do in the community to feel healthier. Ask them what helps them feel healthier in daily life.

Our new training shows how conversations like this can shift how we think about treatment, recovery, and support.

👉 Watch together or share the link: https://tucollab.short.gy/hV8wdt
👉 Use the Connect prompts in the journal: https://tucollab.short.gy/sM5OZQ

New publication alert!

Our team authored a chapter in ‘The Handbook of Loneliness’ that was published by Springer Nature. It’s titled ‘Loneliness Among Adults with Serious Mental Illness’. Give it a read here: https://tucollab.short.gy/CZLXv5

Did you know you can use social media to help you find things to do in the community?

Peer specialists often use social media to connect people to groups meeting for special interests along with community events taking place in the neighborhood. Social media can be a great place to start a plan to meet people with similar interest!

Learn more here: https://tucollab.short.gy/SMCP