Find connection and community at mental health week events

The Acadia Mental Health Initiative, Health Promotion Office, and the Wong International Centre are teaming up to provide an educational and engaging week of events to promote mental wellbeing on campus! From October 28-November 1, Acadia students will get the chance to step away from mid-semester stress, do some fun activities, and have honest conversations about mental health.

The week’s events are focused on getting students to slow down, be mindful, and do something for themselves with hands-on activities. Students can make their own self-care bags, plant a succulent, paint a tote bag, and enjoy some delicious snacks like boba and make-your-own tacos. Speaking of hands on, be sure to stop by the library and Wong International Centre to get in some quality scritches with therapy dog, Guiness! Check out the event calendar for more details on all the events planned for the week.

“During Mental Health Awareness Week, students can come together through a diverse range of activities designed to promote awareness and support for mental well-being,” says Coordinator, Campus Health Promotion, Tori Rombaut. “These activities will allow students a chance to have a break from their busy lives, have some fun, and experience a sense of connection.”

Roudraksh Jankee, Coordinator of Events and Programming at the Wong International Centre, adds that “mental health can be a scary topic, but I appreciate how we are collectively finding accessible and fun ways to spread the word around mental health!”

Fostering connection & identifying supports

Both Tori and Roudraksh hope that Mental Health Week will (in addition to encouraging students to take a much-needed break!) raise awareness of Acadia’s mental health resources. Tori says, “it’s a great opportunity to promote and increase awareness of the resources that are available to students, both on and off campus.”

“I want students to recognize that there are people they can reach out to when they’re feeling alone,” says Tori. “This sense of connection and community can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially during stressful times which are so frequent as a university student.”

The collaboration with the Wong International Centre means this year’s mental health week will have a special focus on wellness for international students. Roudraksh is working with the organizers to “identify the unique cultural barriers our international students face when it comes to conversations around mental health.”

Roudraksh says he hopes that as students gather for these fun de-stressing activities, it will also normalise talking about mental health. “I want our international students to see folks just like them partaking in activities and conversations around mental health week, and eventually feel comfortable enough to seek help when needed.”

“Through this event series, I want our students to not feel alone in their struggle with their mental health,” says Roudraksh. “The message we're sending is ‘hey, not only are you not alone in this, but look at all the resources available to support you.’ It's important that students feel cared for.”

Take a break from your studies to check out the programming happening this mental health week!

Stay connected

Can’t make it to the events? Don’t worry! There are a ton of great resources on campus available throughout the year. Check out the counselling groups and events page for a full list of available resources, the Wong International Team and Black Student Experience Office. You can also book an appointment with the counselling centre, or access Acadia’s online mental health tools.

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