In 1981, the CDC first reported on a rare lung infection that would eventually be called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The subsequent discovery of HIV in 1984 paved the way for effective treatment of HIV through antiretroviral therapy (ART). Additionally, prevention strategies such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) are helping prevent people from getting HIV.
The knowledge that a higher viral load indicated higher transmissibility of HIV was apparent to researchers prior to 1996 (Murphy, 2023). While the Swiss Federal AIDS Commission announced in 2008 that a person who is seropositive, but has had an undetectable viral load for at least six months, does not risk transmitting HIV to a seronegative partner.
Today, the majority of research on U=U is conducted in the public health sector, to examine how – and how accurately – knowledge of U=U is disseminated across the world. In a November 2024 Personal View published in The Lancet. HIV, an international team of authors surveyed evidence relating to viral load suppression and the U=U message – which has been translated to different wordings across cultures and languages – with a view towards ending HIV as a public health crisis by 2030 (Okamoto et al., 2024). Among the chief aims of U=U is enabling people with HIV to thrive, and addressing barriers to thriving – namely, stigma, discrimination, and criminalization. There are 80 countries that have HIV-specific criminal laws, and sexual transmission of HIV is prosecuted – even where no actual transmission has taken place (Okamoto et al. 2024).
From: Okamoto, E. E., Anam, F. R., Batiste, S., Dukashe, M., Castellanos, E., Poonkasetwattana, M., & Richman, B. (2024). Ending AIDS as a public health threat: the imperative for clear messaging on U=U, viral suppression, and zero risk. The Lancet. HIV, 11(11), e783–e790. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(24)00241-8
Making evidence-based education a priority is a key to the success of U=U. Yet awareness of U=U remains critically low among individuals, healthcare providers, and communities. Another challenge to U=U arises in barriers to viral load-testing access. Without access to such testing, individuals are unable to confirm their virus status. When regular adherence to ART is a challenge, this can lead back to stigmatization in individuals who are HIV positive.
Despite U=U having been understood for decades, there remain challenges – systemic, legislative, and cultural – to it being widely accepted and adopted by the public. But it is a key to ending HIV as a public health crisis, so we will likely continue to see evidence being generated on public awareness and implementation of U=U.
Okamoto, E. E., Anam, F. R., Batiste, S., Dukashe, M., Castellanos, E., Poonkasetwattana, M., & Richman, B. (2024). Ending AIDS as a public health threat: the imperative for clear messaging on U=U, viral suppression, and zero risk. The Lancet. HIV, 11(11), e783–e790. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(24)00241-8
After a busy semester of fall classes, winter is finally here. While there is plenty to enjoy about winter - the holidays, freshly fallen snow, warm beverages - winter also brings with it shorter days, the sun setting before 5PM most days. It’s no surprise that this change can bring on some negative mood shifts, but in some people, this shift is so pronounced that it becomes clinical.
Seasonal affective disorder more commonly known as SAD is a type of depression that occurs when the seasons change. While there is a type of SAD for the summer months, SAD that occurs in winter is far more common and tends to be what people think of when they hear the term. While feeling a little down is normal, people who have SAD can suffer from a myriad of symptoms such as loss of appetite, sleeping too much, fatigue, social withdrawal, anxiety, sadness, and other symptoms that are consistent with depression (1).
We don’t know what exactly causes SAD (theories range from lack of vitamin, melatonin overproduction, or serotonin underproduction), but we do know that some groups are at higher risk of the disorder than others (2). People who live in more northern climates tend to be at a higher risk, as do people whose schedules limit their exposure to sunlight. People who have another psychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder or anxiety have a comorbidity with SAD (3).
Thankfully, SAD is treatable. It’s important to see a doctor, who will prescribe a treatment to deal with the condition. There are multiple ways to treat SAD but one of the most common is light therapy (4). Light therapy involves sitting in front of a type of lightbox each morning for a period of time. These lightboxes are available commercially, though make sure they give off the recommended amount of light. Therapy, counseling, and medication can also be used.
This winter, make sure to take care of your body AND your mind. If any of the symptoms above seem familiar, don’t be afraid to reach out to your doctor.
Sanassi LA. Seasonal affective disorder: is there light at the end of the tunnel? JAAPA. 2014;27(2):18-23. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000442698.03223.f3
Melrose S. Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015:178564. doi:10.1155/2015/178564
Ravindran AV, Balneaves LG, Faulkner G, et al. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2016 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Section 5. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments. Can J Psychiatry. 2016;61(9):576-587. doi:10.1177/0706743716660290
Date: December 7 - January 1, 2025, from 10am-10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday)
Location: The Ellipse at The White House and President’s Park
Cost: Free
The National Christmas Tree is an entire event, filled with a Yule log, a manger, and 56 smaller trees surrounding the big one, dedicated to each state and territory and displaying themed ornaments. The tree lights do turn off and the pathways are closed at night so you are not able to visit in the middle of the night
Location: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 The Ronald Reagan Building
Cost: Free
The Winternational Annual Embassy Showcase takes place in Washington DC, an event that takes place at the Ronald Reagan Building and in which the embassies of different countries from around the world participate and present their nations through gastronomy, art, music, and dance.
Date: October 4 – April 13 from Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 707-709 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Cost: Free
For the duration of the 2024-25 NBA and NHL seasons, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Ted and Lynn Leonsis, and Jeff Skoll present a landmark exhibit featuring more than 150 photographs by legendary photojournalist Harry Benson, renowned for his chronicles of culture, politics, music, movies, television, and sports. The gallery, produced by Ted Leonsis and Jeff Skoll, is located next door to Capital One Arena at 707-709 7th Street NW and spans two floors across 10,000 square feet. The free exhibit includes photographs of every President and First Lady since Dwight Eisenhower, iconic images of legendary athletes and musicians, a behind-the-scenes look at The Beatles' arrival to the United States, stunning moments from the Civil Rights Movement, and much more.
Location: 2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20566 Kennedy Center (In-Person and Livestream)
Cost: Free
YahZarah is a District of Columbia–born Ghanian singer and songwriter hero is perfect for the times today. Her voice has been recognized in groundbreaking musical compositions with Erykah Badu. She’s also performed her music live on stage with The Roots, and traveled the world as a member of rock icon Lenny Kravitz’s band.
Location: 2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20566 Kennedy Center (In-Person and Livestream)
Cost: Free
Guitarist & Composer, Connor Leeds Holdridge and his trio perform an intimate set of blues-infused originals with the occasional deep cut from his favorite records.
Date: November - December 15, 2024, from Mon-Fri, 12 PM to 8 PM I Sat/Sun, 11 AM to 8PM
Location: 1500 block of 19th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001
Cost: It’s Shopping
This market offers all kinds of products: crafts, clothing, groceries, and artwork are just a few of the things you can find. Ideal to buy your Christmas gifts for all the members of the family. Besides shopping, you can enjoy the most delicious gastronomy. The Downtown Holiday Market also hosts jazz, country, rock, soul, and of course, of course, Christmas carols.
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Cost: $6
Zoolights is an event held at the National Zoo year after year. It mainly consists of decking it out with the most beautiful light decorations you can imagine. The brightest lights decorate the paths of the park and its resting areas and everywhere you go you will come across brilliant animal sculptures. In addition to this light show, there are also some musical performances. Of course, the more than 500,000 LED lights that make up this annual spectacle are totally respectful of the environment and the zoo's species. This is one of the plans to do with children in Washington DC, but, no doubt, adults will also enjoy in a big way.
Location: 100 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20001
Cost: Free
Washington Botanical Garden dresses in lights to celebrate Christmas. It is one of the most beautiful places you can't miss during your visit to this city. In addition to seeing some 26,000 plants and numerous plant species, it has a special room dedicated to the deserts of the planet, where you can appreciate succulents, shrubs, and flowering plants characteristic of these regions. Also during this month, there are a series of festive concerts and an annual exhibition with the best plant species and miniature replicas of emblematic buildings, such as the Smithsonian National Museum of History.
Location: 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 The Wharf Waterfront
Cost: Free
Boats, sailboats, and even local fire boats star in this event and light up the sky with their decorations full of luminaries. The parade is complemented by other attractions on both banks of the river: festivals, live music, ice skating, and numerous food stalls. Admission to this event is completely free.
The Old Town Alexandria district presents its Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, where you can enjoy a series of colorful events, live traditional Scottish music, and more than 100 Scottish soldiers dressed in their classic kilts.
The streets of Old Alexandria are filled with the unmistakable sound of bagpipes, while around the event you can enjoy the most delicious food, wine, and beer.
In addition, there are activities designed for the little ones, such as games, music,c and the presence of Santa. Live a different experience and enjoy the most interesting Scottish tradition in DC.
Location: Third and Ninth Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW The National Mall
Cost: Free
Temporary exhibitions span the world and the history of art, and free programs, including lectures, tours, concerts, films, and family activities, are offered year-round. The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden.
The National Menorah is Hailed by international media as “the most prominent public Chanukah event in the world” the annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah, on the Ellipse, just across from the White House, helps launch and strengthen the celebration of “Chanukah – Festival of Lights” in all 50 states and over 100 countries globally.
2024 Fall Colors Photo Contest winning entry: Hills on Fire! by Claire Sandler
Himmelfarb Library would like to congratulate Claire Sandler (Medicine, 2nd year), the 2024 Fall Colors Photo Contest winner! Himmelfarb's Healthy Living Committee had their work cut out for them by judging the many excellent entries to this year's contest. With so many fantastic submissions, it was extremely challenging to select a winning photo. Claire, stopped by Himmelfarb earlier this week to receive congratulations from members of Himmelfarb's Healthy Living Committee, and to pick up her prize -- a coffee mug showcasing her winning photo.
2024 Fall Colors Photo Contest winner Claire Sandler (SMHS) with (L-R) Deborah Wassertzug, Lonnie Williams, and Laura Abate of the Healthy Living Committee.
Let's get to know Claire!
The Rotation:Can you share your journey to GW? What led you to pursue an MD degree?
CS: Before GW, I attended the University of Michigan for my undergraduate degree in Public Health Sciences, then lived in Chicago for 2 gap years where I explored my passions for teaching and research. Studying public health in undergrad along with my extracurricular commitments definitely inspired me to pursue an MD. I chose to attend GW over other MD programs because of GW's commitment to integrated public health medical education and for the incredible opportunity to learn medicine in Washington, D.C.! I was particularly drawn to GW because of its engaged and passionate student body — a quality I continue to see in my peers, and one that has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my time here!
The Rotation: How long have you been taking photographs, and what are your favorite subjects?
CS: I have enjoyed photography for as long as I can remember, but I definitely got more involved in high school with a film camera. I switched to DSLR in college and learned that I love photographing anything from my friends and family to my travels and natural surroundings! I have also contributed to photography for various clubs, headshots, graduations, and even engagements. The photo I submitted for this contest was actually taken during an engagement shoot for a GW SMHS classmate! More of my work can be seen at https://www.sandlercbphotography.com.
The Rotation: How did you hear about the Fall Colors Photo Contest?
CS: My friends know how much I love photography and encouraged me to submit a photo! They made sure to forward the email to me and support my submission 🙂
The Rotation: What is your favorite spot in Himmelfarb Library?
CS: The windowed 3rd-floor cubicles or room 202 with my POM group!
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Want to join the fun? Look for the next edition of the Spring Flowers & Blossoms Photo Contest coming in 2025!
It's been a stressful week. Take time to prioritize self-care today and throughout the week.
There isn’t a single definition of self-care, as self-care is different for everyone, but it generally refers to how we maintain, improve, and protect our health and well-being. Self-care boils down to doing things that preserve or improve your mental or physical health.
The GW Resiliency and Well-Being Center has great self-care resources focused on types of self-care, self-care strategies, and resources. Types of self-care listed here include breathing exercises, massage therapy, nutrition, meditation, exercise, journaling, yoga therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and gratitude practice.
Self-care is also about the little things, like making sure you've eaten, drank some water, and gotten some sleep. If you're feeling up for it, physical activity can be great for self-care. Just going for a short walk and getting some fresh air can help ease anxiety and clear your head. Self-care can be taking time to rest, taking a break from social media or the news, and acknowledging and sitting with whatever feelings you are experiencing.
Doing little things that you enjoy can be a big boost to your self-care. Make time for your hobbies that bring you joy and satisfaction. Do things that help you feel refreshed and recharged. And make time to connect with friends, family, or loved ones. Feeling connected to other people can be a great way to promote your self-care and that of those around you. It's more important than ever to support one another, so please be kind and respectful to each other and yourself.
Eckington Flea Date: Saturdays, Now - May 24, 2025. Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Location: Eckington Hall, 1160 Eckington Pl., NE Cost: Free
Eckington Flea is a marketplace featuring an eclectic roster of vendors selling vintage clothing, household products (soaps, candles), books, art, collectibles, and more. It will also feature artisanal foods like honey, and baked items along with fresh produce. Vendors present will represent makers from Washington, D.C., along with the entirety of MD and VA.
UnFinished Objects (UFO) Craft Circle Date: Saturdays, Now- December 28, 2024 Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Location: DAR Museum, 176 D St., NW Washington DC 20006 Cost: Free
Join us for the UnFinished Objects (UFO) Craft Circle at the DAR Museum! Bring your half-done projects, abandoned crafts, and unfinished masterpieces, and spend a cozy afternoon with fellow craft enthusiasts. Whether it's knitting, crocheting, painting, or any other craft, this event is a perfect opportunity to get inspired, share ideas, and finally complete those lingering projects. The UFO Craft Circle is an in-person event, so come prepared with your supplies and a positive attitude.
Let's turn those unfinished objects into beautiful creations together!
From the Art Collections of Margo Thomas, Yonette Thomas, and Deborah Smith Curator: Zoma Wallace
This fall, the Mansion Galleries will feature art, artifacts, and ephemera of the African Diaspora. The work comes from the collections of Dr. Yonette Thomas, Dr. Margo Thomas, and Dr. Deborah Smith. Calling themselves the Three Sisters, the three collectors have been professionally and personally connected for almost 25 years.
With Zoma Wallace as curator, they have chosen works from their individual collections, which represent their personal interests. These works will be juxtaposed throughout the exhibition with music, dance, and other artistic expressions.
Mvskoke Etvlwv: The Muscogee People Festival Date: November 2nd Time: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Location: National Museum of the American Indian, 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560 Cost: Free
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation celebrates its tribal history, heritage, and culture with music, performances, a fashion show, and other cultural demonstrations. The festival includes Stomp dancing, veterans’ presentations, and hands-on activities for children and families, along with a showcase of jewelry, traditional recipes, and more.
Meditation with a Monk Date: November 8th, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Date: November 19th, 6:30 am - 8:00 am Location: Lerner Health & Wellness Center 2301 G Street, NW, Washington, DC Cost: Sessions are free to students and Lerner Health and Wellness Center members)
2024 Zoo Lights Date: Friday, November 22, 2024 – January 4, 2025 Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays) 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Sundays) Cost: $6 (Each attendee, including children over the age of 2, will need a ticket.)
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is transforming into an enchanting winter wonderland with ZooLights this holiday season!
Now in its 16th year, this annual holiday light spectacular welcomes visitors to walk down festive pathways and explore immersive displays throughout the Zoo. Marvel at glowing lantern animals in their dazzling habitats, watch live nightly musical performances, take a spin on the Conservation Carousel, sample sweet and savory seasonal treats, and check gifts off your holiday shopping lists at our Asia Trail, Panda Plaza, and Great Cats stores.
ZooLights tickets are $6 per person.
Notes: If you plan to drive and park at the Zoo, you must purchase a ZooLights - Parking Pass online before your visit. Passes are available for purchase immediately on the following page. Spaces are extremely limited.
Madison McFerrin Date: Saturday, November 15 Time: 6:00 pm Location: Kennedy Center, Millenium Stage, 2700F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20566 Cost: Free
Madison McFerrin’s distinct vocal and meticulously layered stylings of a capella and self-harmonizing culminate in work that blends the genres of R&B, pop, soul, and jazz, all with a sense of softness. Her genre-bending work has led to Questlove dubbing her early sound “soul-appella,” AdHoc to describe her work as “an oasis of serenity,” and The FADER noting how Madison’s “warm harmonies feel effortless.”
2024 Downtown DC Holiday Market Date: November 22, 2024 – December 23, 2024 Time: Daily, 12:00noon – 8:00 pm (Closed Thanksgiving Day) Location: F Street NW, (Between 7th and 9th Streets NW) Cost: Free
It’s that time again to experience the joys of holidays. The Downtown DC Holiday Market is an experience in tastes, sounds, colors, and textures. So come and grab a hot drink and snack while strolling through the many colorful stalls and shop until you drop.
Thanksgivingon the Vern Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 Location: GW MVC Post Hall, Mt. Vernon Campus Cost: Free
Staying on campus during Thanksgiving break? Come out to Thanksgiving on the Vern on Tuesday, November 21 from 12:00-3:00pm for delicious food and fun! Enjoy turkey, pie, and more. Plus, take some to-go for later. RSVP is required by November 17!
Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast and fellowship on the Vern!
[Note: at points throughout the article, I’ve used the first person singular, rather than the objective outside perspective of most Rotation articles, because throughout I share my own experiences].
According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 29% of people in the US (close to 1 in 3) report battling depression in their lifetime, and 18% ( close to 1 in 5) report current treatment for depression (Witters, 2023). Anecdotally, the number may be much higher. But despite the commonality of depression, those suffering it can often feel uniquely alone. October’s Depression Awareness Month – designated by the National Institute of Mental Health in 1994 – is an opportunity to learn about the illness, share your story to reduce stigma, or a chance to reach out to someone you know or suspect is suffering.
Depression is always a subjective, personal experience – in part because pain isolates us (we feel our own pain immediately and others remotely), in part because pain shrinks horizons until we cannot see anything else. For this reason, the deeply personal accounts in The Noonday Demon go farther, education wise, than the anodyne, clinical tone of a psychiatric journal. For sufferers of depression, Solomon’s work – which includes his own experience and many interviews with others – can broaden our perspective and maybe even ease our sense of being alone. For relatives, friends, or coworkers of someone with depression, The Noonday Demon yields a rich and harrowing insight into the chasms of pain that can exist in a normal human lifespan.
Fortunately, while The Noonday Demon is a book of 500+ pages, Andrew Solomon has made excerpts, including the 1998 New Yorker article that started the book, freely available.
Another way to honor Depression Awareness Month is to share your story (to whatever degree you feel comfortable with, most likely with a trusted friend). Discussing mental health can reduce the stigma around it and maybe give better expression to something very difficult to express. Talking can also reveal a two-way communication of tips and insights that might not otherwise have happened.
For example, some things that have worked for me:
Running: an umbrella review published in British Journal of Sports Medicine analyzed 100 meta-reviews of controlled trials comparing exercise to medicine or talk therapy and concluded that exercise was 1.5x effective as either (Singh et al., 2023). Anecdotally speaking, running (in particular) greatly ameliorated my mental state, both by giving me a tangible goal to work towards but also in relief from stress. I lived for a couple years in Germany, for example, and training for a half marathon gave me consistency and dignity amidst the uncertainty and unfamiliarity.
Health Maintenance: just like the earth is an ecosystem with the surface affecting the atmosphere and vice versa, our bodies affect our minds, and our minds affect our bodies. I find it easy to overly philosophize depression, but often, the solution might be as simple as hydrating, sleeping enough, and exercising. If I’m not addressing these bodily concerns, then I personally don’t want to assume too much beyond what I’m feeling.
Addressing Stressors: similarly, while severe depression may persist despite the circumstances, anxiety and depression can often be triggered by stress events. In some cases, anxiety and depression might be the alarm-bells for the problem, not the problem itself. Sitting with a never-ending alarm might ruin someone’s sanity, but if the alarm is responding to a problem, then the alarm is actually useful.
Artistic expression: much of art comes from pain; pain can be the roots that cause us to dig deeper for nutrients. Art can help transfigure directionlessness or pain. Personally, I write fiction and poetry. One of my poems, Circles Around My Circles (published in Ghost City Review), is an example of this transfiguration.
Rest and Meditation: I often find that I’m not truly resting; I organize my free time into personal tasks that need accomplishing, or I’ll succumb to mindless scrolling. But we need mental rest. Sports can be healing because they provide socialization, exercise, and an absorbing task. Meditation can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and refresh us for our tasks at hand. I particularly find time in nature refreshing, like when I kayak.
Reach Out:
Lastly, there’s no better way to observe Depression Awareness Month than by reaching out to someone struggling, not necessarily to talk about mental health but just to connect. We are social beings. Left alone, we all go insane. Reaching out might do more good than you’d ever know.
Singh B, Olds T, Curtis R, et al. Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving depression, anxiety and distress: an overview of systematic reviews. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023; 57: 1203-1209. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/18/1203
Autumn weather is here and we’re starting to see hints of fall foliage! In the coming weeks, spend some time outdoors to enjoy the weather and colors, and to capture those amazing photos.
Enter your best photo with a chance to win a PRIZE. All digital photos submitted will be showcased in the online 2024 Himmelfarb Fall Colors Photo Gallery, and prints will be displayed in Himmelfarb Library.
Photo submission dates: Monday, October 14, 2024 – Friday, November 8, 2024.
Who may enter: GW students, faculty and staff affiliated with the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and School of Nursing.
Contest photo must be original and taken by the submitter in 2024.
Submitted photos will be displayed in online and print galleries with the photographer's name and photo title.
By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest.
Judging:
Photo entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and overall artistic impact. One winner will be chosen by a prior contest winner and members of the Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb Committee.
*Himmelfarb Library reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify rules at its discretion. Himmelfarb Library reserves the right to reject any entrant whose entry appears off-topic or violates the rules.
Paint n' Sip - Camp Wellbeing Date: Tues, October 1, 2024 6pm – 8pm Location: “The Vern” at GW’s Mount Vernon campus Cost: Free for GW students
Come join us on at the Vern to sip a house mocktails while painting with all your besties. Come decompress! Just bring yourself, all supplies will be provided for free. This event is part of Camp Wellbeing.
Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat Date: Tues-Saturday, 10am to 5pm through December 21 Location: The George Washington Museum and the Textile Museum, 701 21st St. NW, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
Prized worldwide for producing vivid patterns and colors, the ancient resist-dyeing technique of ikat developed independently in communities across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This exhibition explores the global phenomenon of ikat textiles through examples from countries as diverse as Chile, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.
The Book of Everything (Play) Date: October 3-5 7:30 pm + October 5-2 p.m. Location: Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Students $10, Non-Students $20
Who sees tropical fish thriving in the Amsterdam canals, trumpeting sparrows and even a hailstorm of frogs? Thomas! But he also has negative visions: the unhappiness of his family, the violence in his father, and the damage that lingers long after the war is over. And he writes it all down, ugly and beautiful in his powerful Book of Everything. Play by Richard Tulloch, and based on the book by Guus Kuije.
A Speakeasy Evening Date: October 10, 7:00pm to 10:30pm Location: National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 United States Cost: Free
Inspired by the speakeasy clubs of the Harlem Renaissance, which were welcoming and inclusive places for all, the Museum invites you into a space that welcomes LGBTQIA community, African Americans (and allies) of all gender identities and orientations.
Now in year six, this program will examine the role of discos as a safe space for everyone to dance together and be their authentic selves. The evening will feature a panel discussion about disco, art making, a musical performance, dancing and light fare.
The Peace Trail on the National Mall Date: Any day with walking weather Location: Start at United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037 Cost: Free
The Northwest corner of the National Mall could be considered the "War and Peace Corner" of our nation's capital. It is home to this country's most famous veterans memorials, which draw tens of millions of visitors each year. In 2017, the U.S. Institute of Peace launched the Peace Trail on the National Mall to further enhance the experience of visiting our nation's capital. Anchored at USIP and tracing a path to a dozen other key sites in the vicinity, the reference guide highlights peace themes, elevating examples of key figures, institutions and moments in history that demonstrate America's enduring commitment to peace. Download Peace Trail Reference Guide, Activity Book, or Mobile App from the website.
Sessa Date: Saturday, October 19-6 p.m. Location: Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage Cost: Free (Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.)
Sessa, the São Paulo musician known for his enchanting 2019 debut album Grandeza, returns with an expansive collection of songs built with reverence for the deep historical traditions of Brazilian music.
This exhibition, drawn primarily from the Corcoran Collection, presents some 25 portraits Parks made between 1941 and 1970. Explore Parks's innovations in portraiture through some of his best-known photographs. Learn how his portraits speak to larger stories of the civil rights movement, the African American experience, and American culture.
Día de los Muertos Family Day Date: Saturday, October 26 11:30am - 3:00 pm Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G St. NW, Washington, DC 20004 Cost: Free
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Corazon Folklorico, a mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba.
September is Suicide Prevention Month - making it a good opportunity to raise awareness about suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, immediate help is available. Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.
Just like other mental health conditions, suicidal thoughts can impact anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, equating to one death every eleven minutes (CDC, 2024a). Between 2000 and 2018, suicide rates increased by 37%, and returned to their peak in 2022 following a brief decline between 2018 to 2020 (CDC, 2024a).
Knowing the risk factors of suicidal ideation and behavior is important for everyone. According to a 2016 review published in The Lancet, “approximately 45% of individuals who die by suicide consult a primary care physician within one month of death, yet there is rarely documentation of physician inquiry or patient disclosure” of suicidal ideation or behavior (Turecki, & Brent, 2016).
While many individuals with suicidal ideation do not attempt suicide (Dlonsky, et al., 2016), recognizing the risk factors can help you identify someone in need of help and help you find the help they need. According to the CDC, factors that contribute to suicide risk range from individual, relationship, community, and societal factors and can include, but are not limited to the following:
Individual Risk Factors:
Previous suicide attempt
History of depression and other mental illness
Serious illness
Job or financial problems
Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
Sense of hopelessness
Relationship Risk Factors:
Bullying
Family or loved one’s history of suicide
Loss of relationships
Social isolation
High-conflict or violent relationships
Community Risk Factors:
Lack of access to healthcare
Community violence
Historical trauma
Discrimination
Societal Risk Factors:
Stigma associated with seeking help and mental illness
Easy access to lethal means of suicide
Unsafe media portrayals of suicide
(CDC, 2024b)
Some factors can protect people from experiencing suicidal ideation and behavior. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Effective coping and problem-solving skills
Strong sense of cultural identity
Support from loved ones
Feeling connected to others
Feeling connected to school, community, and social institutions
Availability of high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare
If you are interested in learning more about suicide prevention, Himmelfarb Library has a Suicide and Suicidology Collection that includes numerous books on this topic. Notable books from this collection include:
