Paramedical Coverage

As part of Red River College’s group benefits, Benefit Eligible Employees may have coverage for the following professional services. Your coverage is based on your Flex Option choice.

• Audiologists
• Athletic Therapists
• Chiropractors
• Dieticians
• Massage Therapists
• Naturopaths
• Osteopaths
• Physiotherapists
• Podiatrists/Chiropodists
• Psychologists/Social Workers
• Speech Therapists

For detailed paramedical coverage information refer to your benefits booklet.

Mental Health Awareness Week

May 2^nd to 8^th is Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week is designed to celebrate positive attitudes and mentally healthy lifestyles.[1] Mental health is just as important as physical health and is key to being truly healthy. Mental health involves how we interact with the world around us and how we feel, think and act. Mental health is not about achieving the ‘perfect life’ by avoiding problems. Mental well-being is much more than the presence or absence of a mental illness; rather it is about living well and feeling capable despite challenges.[2]

Each person’s path to mental well-being is different and unique just as each person’s goals, challenges, talents and supports are. Maintaining your mental health requires effort every day, but the rewards are great! Everyone can achieve good mental health! Here are some tips and activities to apply on a regular basis to help you get started:

• Build a healthy self-esteem – Self-esteem is being able accept all of your abilities and weaknesses, and doing your best with your own unique abilities and talents. Build confidence by developing weaker areas and regularly reminding yourself of the things you’re comfortable and proud of.
• Build a positive support network – Social support is a very important part of mental health and people in our networks can offer many different kinds of support. Make time to just be with important people in your life.
• Get involved – You make a difference, and being involved in the things that matter to us provides a great feeling of satisfaction and purpose. Getting involved connects you with others, builds confidence and promotes personal growth. Read to children, help a neighbor or service on a charity board.
• Build resiliency – Stress is a normal part of life. Resiliency means coping well with stress, and other difficult situations that are a normal part of life. Build a resiliency tool kit that might include skills such as problem solving or developing support networks. [3]

For more mental health information including more tips and activities visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars and podcasts at www.lifeworks.com.

It is important to take charge of both your physical and emotional health. Check out this recommended podcast:

Losing Weight Together!

[1] Canadian Mental Health Association. http://mentalhealthweek.cmha.ca/. 2016.

[2] Canadian Mental Health Association. Mental Health – Why is your mental health so important? http://mentalhealthweek.cmha.ca/your-mental-health/mental-health-fact-sheet/. 2016.

[3] Canadian Mental Health Association. Mental Health – Why is your mental health so important? http://mentalhealthweek.cmha.ca/your-mental-health/mental-health-fact-sheet/. 2016.