Managing stress and staying healthy during the busy fall season is important to everyone. In recognition of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, York U is hosting a mental health and wellness fair on campus, in Vari Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 10am to 2pm.
Learn about the many health and wellness resources available on and off campus for students, faculty and staff. Learn about the five ways to well-being; pet one of the therapy dogs from the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program (11am to 1pm); and talk with staff about the services available to you.
Participating exhibitors will include:
- Active Minds
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Good 2 Talk
- Health Education and Promotion
- Health Safety and Employee Well-Being Office
- Healthy Student Initiative
- Mental Health Disability Services
- Personal Counselling Services
- Shepell.fgi
- St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs (on campus from 11am-1pm)
- York University Psychology Clinic
- York Federation of Students
- Centre for Human Rights: Diversity Peer Education Team
The event is part of York University's mental health and wellness strategy aimed at promoting a healthy, inclusive and supportive environment to foster a mentally healthy community. Central to York's strategy is health and wellness promotion aimed at increasing awareness of healthy life strategies and promoting participation in wellness programs that may contribute to a person’s well-being; facilitation of care and support to increase awareness of and accessibility to resources on and off campus to York community members who may require support or assistance; and collaboration and discussion to encourage the conversation about mental health and wellness among students, faculty and staff at York, and the wider community.
"Awareness and dialogue are crucial to everyone's mental health and well-being," says Lesley Beagrie, master of Stong College and co-chair of York's Mental Health Steering Group. "It is only by speaking openly can we overcome mental health challenges we face as a community."
"Informing all employees that services and resources are available if you need support is an important part of York's commitment to a better workplace," says Suzanne Killick, director, Better Workplace, and co-chair of York's Mental Health Steering Group. "I encourage all staff, faculty and student employees to visit the mental health and wellness fair or visit York's mental health and wellness website."
For more information about the mental health and wellness fair, contact Leah State, coordinator, Health Education & Promotion, Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development, at 416-736-5196 or lstate@yorku.ca.
For more information on mental health and wellness at York, visit: yorku.ca/mentalhealth.