AC community rises together for National Addictions Awareness Week
Posted on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024
In honour of National Addictions Awareness Week Nov. 25-29, the Jordan Leigh Foundation joined learners and employees in the AC Hub, presented by the Umbrella Project at Algonquin College. The foundation’s mission is to break the stigmas surrounding mental health and addiction, fostering a world where compassion, understanding and support are paramount.
The Umbrella Project is focused on creating a safer space on campus to discuss the impact of alcohol and drugs. It focuses on helping students reduce problematic effects and provides training, workshops, awareness and support services for students and employees.
“Today we are rising up as a community to break the stigma around mental health and substance use,” said Shelina Syed, Health and Wellness Education Coordinator at Algonquin College.
Jordan Leigh Foundation President and Founder Jodi McCullough; Director and Secretary of Treasurer Jillian Prosser; and Director and Education Program Coordinator Hilary Dagg gave a powerful presentation about the foundation’s work and how we can all contribute to breaking the stigma.
They shared the story of McCullough’s twin sister Jordan – for whom of the foundation is named after – of navigating mental health and substance use, along with education on substance use, signs of overdose and harm reduction tactics. “It was traumatic to see the person I love so much hurt so deeply,” McCullough shared.
Efforts to reduce stigma include using person-first language, such as person who uses drugs, substance use, unregulated substances and alcohol use disorder. The presentation also included healthy coping mechanism suggestions, such as yoga, mindfulness, exercise and reaching out for support.
Following the presentation, participants created 55 Rise Up bags with hygiene essentials such as feminine products, socks, scarves and mitts, deodorant, water, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The foundation’s team will donate the bags to the Shepherds of Good Hope to be distributed to unhoused members of the community.
Members of the Jordan Leigh Foundation, Shepherds of Good Hope Ottawa, and Algonquin College students and employees gather for a group photo with Rise Up bags.
Algonquin College student and employees help prepare bags for the unhoused community.
Hygiene products to be donated to the unhoused community.
Student Support Services offers a variety of free mental health support for learners, including individual and group counselling, that are available through the Welcome Centre located on the third floor of Student Commons (E Building).
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