Mental Health Awareness

National Mental Health Awareness Week: May 1-May 7 

Today kicks off Canada’s 72nd annual Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), from May 1 to May 7. This year’s theme is #MyStory — an opportunity to share your story to build stronger connections and community and reduce the stigma around mental health while bolstering the supports available for mental health across Canada.

For MHAW, the Canadian Mental Health Association is focused on using storytelling as a tool to advocate for the mental health care that we all need. Share your story using the hashtag #MyStory to be a part of the conversation.

Algonquin College employees are encouraged to check out the Mental Health Week Calendar for information on mental health and wellness activities happening at the Ottawa Campus and virtually from May 1 to May 5. Learners can also focus on their mental wellness by taking part in information sessions and activities to prepare themselves for the spring term and learn important tools for stress management, mental wellness and resiliency.

Learners and employees can also revisit the events of Algonquin College’s past Mental Health Awareness Week, Jan. 23 to Jan. 27, to learn from prominent Canadian mental health experts about tools for coping with anxiety and depression in the classroom.

For learners in need of mental health support throughout the year, please reach out to Student Support Services. In addition, a number of helpful apps and online tools can be found on the Counselling website.

Employees in need of mental health support can a find detailed list of supports provided by the Wellness and Abilities team and are encouraged to reach out to Human Resources. Employees may also wish to connect with LifeWorks, the AC Employee Family Assistance Program. Several helpful apps and online tools can also be found on the Counselling website.

Jan. 23 to Jan. 27: Mental Health Awareness Week

Jan. 23 to Jan. 27 is Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) — join us for a week full of events to learn about the mental health resources available at Algonquin College and reflect on your mental wellness. The Beacon: Health & Wellness Peer Support Space will be open to students for drop-in all week long from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and employees and learners are encouraged to take advantage of the week’s Mental Health Minutes with Health Services which cover everything from self-care to nutrition. Click this link to take a minute for your mental health next week.

The week’s halfway point, Jan. 25, will be marked with a free event from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Algonquin Commons Theatre presented by The Royal and DIFD (Do it for Daron) in partnership with the Algonquin Students’ Association. Register for the event here.

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Mental Health Week – listen to understand

As we wrap up Mental Health Week, we hope you have enjoyed reading the articles that have been available to you all week. Please visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca for more information. Our last post of the week, is an article about listening to understand. When friends or family members come to you to vent, what they may really want is empathy and not to be judged. This article will remind us about the importance of listening to understand and the important truths to keep in mind when we are working on being there for someone.
Listening to understand, not to judge – Canadian Mental Health Association (mentalhealthweek.ca)