Members of the York University community are invited to join Athletics & Recreation for a number of events during the Bell Let’s Talk campaign, which runs virtually at York’s campuses from Jan. 17 to 27. The University will host events that are free and open to students, staff and faculty. Bell Let’s Talk events help end the stigma surrounding mental illness by sharing thoughts, experiences and support through virtual events and on social media.
Schedule of events
Monday, Jan. 17
Mental Health 101 – Navigating Mental Health Resources on Campus – open to students
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEldu6ppjojG9AE3aBK8tH14dd0cdzPtf8H
The quality of your health and well-being impacts everything from managing your stress, making time for your loved ones, and still working towards your academic success. Join the Peer Health Educator Team to learn how to:
- de-stigmatize mental health and why that is important for you as a student;
- learn about what mental health services and well-being supports are available both on and off-campus; and
- learn wellness strategies that explore the interconnections to all forms of health, and optimize your time and energy management.
Tuesday, Jan. 18
LGBTQ2S+ Student Support Group – open to students
1 to 2 p.m.
Register: To register for this virtual session, email Massimo Zangari from Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW) at mass23@yorku.ca
SCHW’s LGBTQ2S+ counsellors provide a safe and positive space where stories can be shared, support given, and connections can be made. Group members are invited to bring in topics to discuss – this group is a space to share as much or as little as you want. So, drop in – no registration required.
Wednesday, Jan. 19
Mental Health & Well-being Seminar – open to students
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkcemrrzgoHNPy9UtzmIe44VO9_3agajWb
Contact: Shailak@yorku.ca
Transitioning to university is challenging enough during the best of times. As we navigate the hybrid learning environment, many of us are coping with “change fatigue” as we continue to adapt to the uncertainty of the pandemic. The quality of our well-being impacts everything from academic success, physical health, our ability to manage stressors and our relationships with loved ones.
Join the Peer Health Educator Team as we:
- discover mental health and well-being supports on and off campus;
- learn wellness strategies to optimize your learning and manage stress; and
- debunk university lifestyle myths about health and nutrition and find accessible ways to make a change.
Thursday, Jan. 20
Nutrition Habits for Success – open to all
3 to 3:45 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/95975866935
Join Athletics & Recreation’s Nutrition Coach for this 45-minute session, as we focus on easy nutrition tips and habits to support better mental and physical well-being.
Friday, Jan. 21
keep.meSAFE Virtual Booth for International Students and Students Studying Out of Province – open to students
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84210804215
This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights the ways that we can support ourselves and those we care about through actions like listening, being there and talking. Join the keep.meSAFE services at their virtual booth where you can get information on mental health resources and supports available to you as international students and students studying out of province. No registration required.
Friday, Jan. 21
MUV Yoga – open to staff, faculty and instructors
Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93770192798
Session offered by Athletics & Recreation
Class description: Accessible for all levels. This class will guide you through rhythmic vinyasa flow with a strong focus on breathing techniques to energize your practice. This is followed by a meditative yin yoga practice allowing for longer held postures to promote recovery in both mind and body.
Friday, Jan. 21
MUV Yoga Retreat – open to students
5 to 6 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/98141928860
Session offered by Athletics & Recreation
Class description: Integral yoga for the mind and body. Yoga retreat promotes holistic health, de-stress, and well-being by strengthening, increasing endurance, and stabilizing the mind, body and breathing. Move towards wellness in your own unique way through postures, breathing exercises, and a wide range of meditations.
Monday, Jan. 24
Sleep for Better Grades – open to students
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrd-6rrjwqHt2U2fMsKNIjDKRNdTEsj6-L
When it comes to the topic of sleep, it seems we can’t get enough. In our Sleep 101 series, we explored the tried and tested tips to get your sleep back on track and improve your sleep hygiene to support better grades and academic success. This workshop will explore the effects of these all-nighters on our minds, bodies and how we can both prioritize our sleep and find practices to optimize whatever amount of sleep we are getting.
Tuesday, Jan. 25
Bell Let’s Talk BIPOC Speaker Session with Larissa Crawford
Noon to 1 p.m. (presentation and Q-and-A open to all)
1 to 1:30 p.m. (session debrief open to BIPOC students)
Zoom link: TBA
This conversation will explore concrete practices and skills that can support students in navigating the mental health impacts of racism and ableism. York University alumna Larissa Crawford will hold space for all students in her presentation and Q-and-A. Following a short break, space for Black, Indigenous, and racialized students will be held in a session debrief.
Tuesday, Jan. 25
Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Overview – open to staff, faculty and instructors
Noon to 12:40 p.m.
To register for this virtual session, click here.
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary support service to help you with solving issues related to personal life and or workplace-related issues. Whether the problem is personal such as child/elder care, adjusting to job responsibilities or other issues connected to the workplace, EFAP can be a helpful service to address these challenges through a full range of support services. This session is designed to provide an overview of the programs available to staff, faculty and instructors.
Tuesday, Jan. 25
Glendon Student Mental Health Town Hall – open to students
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Registration link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsfumgqjkpGdbHtqUoKI3rGq7_tGqo4Nym
The Office of Student Affairs, in partnership with the Glendon College Student Union and the Accessibility, Well-Being and Counselling Centre, is inviting all community members to join this live town hall in a safe space to speak openly and honestly about what is on their mind. Experts from the Counselling Centre will also present resources and offer tools to support the mental health of our students. Students are welcome to send in their questions, as well as preferences regarding topics they’d like covered here.
Note that the session will be delivered in English, questions and clarifications can be requested in French.
Wednesday, Jan. 26 – BELL LET’S TALK DAY!
Building Meaningful Connections in an Online World – open to all
Noon to 1 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sdu2uqT0vGNcE_3NJAdN1wtZw5jTMB_4N
The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) is committed to promoting a healthy, inclusive and supportive environment that fosters mental health and well-being among members of our community. In this session, we will discuss what our personal understanding is of a “meaningful connection,” explore the current research related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways in which it has impacted how we relate to one another and the small (but important) steps we can take to cultivate and nurture a sense of belonging with our communities and/or supports. In partnership with Bell Let’s Talk Day, join FGS as we discuss building meaningful connections in an online world. This virtual event is open to all students, staff, faculty, instructors and alumni of York University.
Wednesday, Jan. 26
Mental Health 201 – Supporting Peers in Distress – open to students
12:30 to 2 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vdO-trTwvHtMvl2pHQlzbSVyB-yg7sT2Q
Mental Health 201 aims to provide students with the skills needed to recognize, respond, and refer other peers with mental health concerns.
The learning objectives of this session include:
- Helping participants gain a better understanding of the type of mental health concerns that York University students face.
- We will review statistics unique to our York student population to allow participants to better understand, normalize and empathize with complex lived experiences.
- Creating safer online spaces for fellow classmates, colleagues and/or friends to disclose mental health concerns.
- Recognizing the unique ways to respond to potential distress or crisis in an online environment.
- Being able to recognize, respond, and refer students experiencing mental health issues and/or distress to appropriate campus resources.
- Providing opportunities to practice the skills needed to support students experiencing mental health issues and/or distress.
- Increasing understanding of the importance of your own self-care, well-being and the necessity for healthy boundaries to be an effective peer helper.
Trans and Non-Binary Support Group – open to students
4 to 5p.m.
Register: To register for this virtual session, email Massimo Zangari from SCHW at mass23@yorku.ca
Join Student Counselling, Health & Well-being’s (SCHW’s) monthly online group to meet other York students navigating gender in a relaxed and safe space. Our group is facilitated by Jay Jonah, a trans-masculine social worker who specializes in supporting trans and non-binary folxs. This group is a space to share as much or as little as you want. Ask questions, just listen in, or chat and make some new friends! Open to all trans, non-binary, gender-non-conforming folxs, and those who are questioning their gender.
Schulich – Start Up Event – open to students
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Zoom link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIufuqtpjguGNQaaiSqIhgdbAIPFOd6kbfd
Join us as Luke Vigeant, president of Inkblot chats with Entrepreneur-In-Residence and Founder of #REALTALK, Cherry Rose Tan. Learn from these two powerhouse mental health advocates as they lead a crucial discussion on founder mental health in Canada. Inkblot is a mental health service based in Toronto that matches you with certified therapists and coaches based on your needs and preferences. This pairs perfectly with #REALTALK and their mission to empower every leader to learn, connect, and flourish in the tech industry through difficult discussions usually centred around mental health. Both companies have been featured by various news and media outlets such as Forbes, CBC, The Globe and Mail, Global News, the Huffington Post and more.
Thursday, Jan. 27
Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Overview – open to staff, faculty and instructors
Noon to 12:40 p.m.
Register: for this virtual session, click here.
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary support service to help you with solving issues related to personal life and or work-related issues. Whether the problem is personal such as child/elder care, adjusting to job responsibilities or other issues connected to the workplace, EFAP can be a helpful service to address these challenges through a full range of support services. This session is designed to provide an overview of the programs available to staff, faculty and instructors.