Health Minds Healthy College

Campus Well-Being

Wellness

April Fitness Centre Hours & Gymnasium Updates

April 1, 2022

Exchange District Fitness Centre  

We are excited to announce that our EDC Fitness Centre will be extending its hours. Starting April 4th the Centre will be open 6:30am-6:00pm.

An April calendar, indicating that the EDC Fitness Centre will be open Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 6:00pm each day in April except for April 15 and 18 when we will be closed for good friday and easter monday.

Notre Dame Campus Loft Fitness Centre

The NDC Loft Fitness Centre will remain open from 6:30am to 6:00pm. Please note that there will be more closures this month due to holidays and exams.

An image of an April calendar that indicates the Loft fitness centre at notre dame campus will be open monday to friday from 6:30 am to 6pm except on the following days: April 15, 18, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. On April 12 the centre will be closed from noon to 2pm. On April 21 the centre will be closed from 11:45 to 2:15 pm.

Gymnasiums and Walking Track

Our South Gym walking track is NOW OPEN from 6:30am-6:00pm Monday to Friday. Come get moving and get your steps in!

We are now also offering lunch hour drop-in opportunities for basketball and pickleball in our South Gym. Please click here for more details and for information about other April Campus Well-Being events.

These spaces and programs are open to all current students and staff with a College issued ID card. On your first visit you will be asked to review and complete a waiver form. Be sure to bring a change of clothes, athletic footwear, and a lock to secure your belongings.

Questions? Please email recreation@rrc.ca.

Campus Well-Being Events for April

April 1, 2022

Wellness Events

April 5th 12:00pm-1:00pm In-Person Immersive Meditation with Crystal Bowl Healing

April 7th 11:30-1:00pm Therapy Dogs at RRC Polytechnic STTC Lobby (Drop in) 

April 12th 12:00pm- 1:00pm Immersive Journaling & Meditation*
 
April 13th 12:00pm -1:00pm In-Person Immersive Yoga with Holly

April 14th– 6:00pm-8:00pm Virtual Paint Night 

April 21st  6:00pm -8:00pm Virtual Cooking for Wellness

April 27th 12:00pm -1:00pm In-Person Immersive Yoga with Holly * 

April 28th 6:00pm-8:00pm Virtual Vision Board  

*In-Person events require registration by emailing pvillafranca@rrc.ca  
All in-person events taking place in- The immersion room (GM32, NDC- Mall level just outside the North Gym at NDC)

Drop-in Sports

For the month of April, we will be opening up our South Gym for lunch hour basketball and pickleball drop-in! See below for more information: 

Basketball- Monday, Wednesday & Friday, NDC, 11:00am-1:00pm

  • Details: We will leave a cart of basketballs at the South Gym, along with spray bottles and rags. Please wipe down your basketball once you are finished and return it to the cart when finished.
  • Monday April 4th
  • Wednesday April 6th
  • Friday April 8th   
  • Monday April 11th
  • Wednesday April 13th
  • Wednesday April 20th
  • Friday April 22nd   
  • No drop-in from Apr 25-29 due to exams

Pickleball- Tuesday and Thursday, NDC, 11:00am-1:00pm

  • Details: Pickleball equipment will need to be signed out from the North Gym front desk, and returned at the end of use. You will be required to leave your student or staff ID card with the front desk staff in exchange for your equipment loan.
  • Tuesday April 5th
  • Thursday April 7th
  • Tuesdays April 12th  
  • Tuesday April 19th
  • Thursday April 21st
  • No drop-in from Apr 25-29 due to exams

Virtual Yoga with Holly Pluchinski

  • Tuesdays 4-4:30pm 
  • Fridays at noon-12:30pm 
  • Yoga for all levels 

REGISTER FOR EACH CLASS THAT WORKS FOR YOU: 
Friday, April 1st 
Tuesday April 5th 
Friday April 8th  
Tuesday April 12  
Tuesday April 19th  
Friday April 22nd  
Tuesday April 26th   
Friday April 29th  

Therapy Dogs are Back at RRC Polytech

March 28, 2022

Therapy Dogs are back at Red River College Polytechnic!!! Come say hello to a few dogs from the St. Johns Ambulance Therapy Dog Program (Zeus and Mark-Cuss). Animal and human interactions can offer many positive health benefits to us. For example, animals can help us decrease cortisol levels (stress hormone), lower our blood pressure, reduce feelings of loneliness, and help boost our moods.

Join us on April 7th in the Skilled Trades and Technology Centre Lobby to spend some time with these fantastic dogs and give yourself the space to take a break from your studies and practice self-care.

The Details

Date: April 7th 2022
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
Location: STTC Lobby

you have any questions about the visit feel free to reach out to Pamela Villafranca Villafranca.

Free In-Person Meditation Event

March 28, 2022

Curious about meditation? Unsure where to start?
Join us in person on April 5th to experience a guided Imagery meditation with sound healing to help to us find peace within, while relaxing to the healing intention and vibration of the crystal singing bowls. l’aura Carrol will guide us into nature and peaceful places as a way to unwind, restore and rejuvenate.

About the Facilitator

l’aura Carroll has been offering healing sessions and meditation opportunities for 25 years working with individuals, groups, workshops and recordings. l’aura is an Intuitive Energy Sound Healer, Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Practitioner, Reflexologist and Reiki Master. 

Find out more about l’aura on her website here.

The Details

Date: April 5th

Time: 12:00- 1:00pm

Location: eTV Immersion Room

For more information about meditation and the benefits of introducing meditation into your self care routine check out this great article discussing both the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of meditation.

Registration required, to register please email Pamela Villafranca, Mental Health Coordinator.

For questions and accessibility needs, please contact Pamela Villafranca

Improving Mental Wellness for International Students

March 22, 2022

This is a guest post from Rong (Angela) Ge, a current student at the Language Training Center, she is currently completing her practicum with the Campus Well-Being Unit at RRC Polytech. Angela graduated from Nanjing University with major in Psychology. She worked in an education service centre for the past three years and has helped hundreds of international students settle down in Winnipeg. For now, Angela is moving forward to study in the Health Care field and is focusing on the individual mental wellness in the community.

How Do we improve our mental wellness as International Student?

Studying abroad is a challenge for each and every international student. If you are an international student, do you have a moment like this? Not feeling well but can not tell your parents thousands of miles away, or feeling so lonely and overwhelmed at night?

The main cause of mental health barriers among the international students is that they are taking too much pressure. Therefore, it requires special attention on their mental wellness.

Academic Stress

Generally, most of the parents have high expectations. They hope their children can adapt quickly to a non-native language environment and achieve excellent scores. In fact, the students need more time to get used to the new environment, since they just arrived in a different country, meeting different people, having a different life style. However, when the international students are unable to achieve the desired goals, they are considered not working hard enough.

Economic pressure

Most international students, therefore, depend on their family savings to fund the tuition and living expenses. Compared with the local students, their tuition fees are much higher, and they need to live on a budget to keep life balanced.

Emotional and social stress

This barrier is particularly acute among international students. Initially, their parents who used to take care of them are far away, and the old friends who used to listen to them are not around. Lacking friends and social activities make international students feel even more lonely.

What can we do?

In this special period, all of us are gripping for a way out, but we should pay more attention to the international students, especially their psychological construction. Every international student is brave and excellent. It is worth praising that they can go abroad to live and study alone. However, since there are some misapprehensive voices in the society, many international students are afraid to seek help when they encounter psychological issues, for fear of being looked down upon.

Hopefully, every international student can be safe and healthy.

Here are some tips for improving mental wellness.

  • Develop a good habit

Good Habits are essential to our health. They can make the chances of achieving and maintaining our lifestyle goals such as exercising regularly and managing learning time, along with increasing quality of life.

  • Self-regulation

Take a break when we are facing with a tough situation. Take the time to think things through, make a plan, wait patiently before acting.

  • Get enough sleep

Sleep is an essential function that allows our body and mind to recharge. Healthy sleep helps us reduce stress and improve our mood, think more clearly and do better in school, and get along better with people.

  • Go outside and in the sun

Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping us feel calm and focused.

  • Live in the moment

Abraham Maslow once said, “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” Only in the present can help us achieve true happiness, peace, and joy.

  • Seek help in the community

By the time reading this blog, there is no doubt that you are a member of this community. To support students and staff to stay well in spirit and mind, RRC Polytech is committed to providing excellent counselling service and support.

Click here to learn more about counselling here

Keep in mind, you are not alone. Growing and learning are important, but you need to allow yourself to pause, take a break, and then move forward.


关注国际留学生心理健康问题

作者简介:葛蓉(Angela Ge),现就读于红河理工学院语言中心,毕业于南京大学社会心理学专业。 在过去的三年,Angela曾就职于一家教育服务中心,协助和陪伴数百位国际留学生在温尼伯展开留学生活。如今,Angela计划学习医疗领域的相关课程,并且持续关注社区中个人心理健康问题。

对每一位国际留学生而言,海外求学永远是一项挑战。如果你是一名国际留学生,你是否有过如下的时刻?伤心失落却不能告知千里之外的父母,亦或者是某一个深夜,孤独和无措相伴?

造成国际留学生心理健康问题的最主要因素,是他们承担了太多的压力。因此,这需要我们更多的关注。

学业压力

一般来说,大部分的家长给予了过高的期待。他们希望自己的孩子能快速的适应非母语环境且取得完美的分数。可实际上,学生们需要更多的时间来习惯新的环境,因为他们目前正处于一个新的国家,会遇见不同的人,拥有不一样的生活方式。然而,当留学生们没有办法达到预期的目标时,他们就会被认为是努力不够。

经济压力

大多数留学生是需要家庭的支持才能支付学费和生活费的。相较于本地学生,他们的学费会高很多,所以需要省吃俭用来平衡学业和生活。

情绪和社交压力

这个问题存在于大多数的留学生当中。照顾我们的家人远在海外,愿意倾听的挚友不在身边。缺乏朋友和社交活动,使得留学生们越发觉得孤独。

我们可以做什么?

在这个特殊的时期,每个人都在寻求出路,留学生们需要我们更多的关注,尤其是他们的心理健康。每一位留学生都是勇敢和出色的,他们在海外求学和生活的行为值得我们称颂。但是,因为有一些不理解的声音存在,有些留学生在面临心理问题时,不敢寻求帮助,怕被别人瞧不起。

真心的希望,在求学的道路上,留学生们能安全和健康。这里有些小贴士可以帮助大家提高身心健康。

  • 养成良好的生活习惯

好的生活习惯对健康尤其重要。它们可以让我们有机会实现和维持我们的生活目标,比如定期锻炼和管理学习时间,同时提高生活质量。

  • 自我调整

在我们遇到困难的时候,让自己休息一下。在做出下一步行动之前,好好的考虑,做一个计划,或者静静的等待。

  • 保有充足的睡眠

睡眠可以让我们的身体和头脑在夜间充电。健康的睡眠可以减少压力和改善绪,考虑事情更清晰,在学校表现的更好,以及和他人友好相处。

  • 出门晒晒太阳

研究表明,曝露在阳光下,可以使大脑释放一种叫血清素的荷尔蒙。血清素与改善情绪、帮助我们感到平静和专注有关。

  • 活在当下

马斯洛(著名的心理学家)曾经说过:“活在当下的能力是心理健康的一个重要组成部分。”只有活在当下才能帮助我们获得真正的幸福、安宁和欢乐。

  • 在社区中寻求帮助

当你读这篇文章的时候,毫无疑问你已经是我们的一员。为了支持学生和教职员保持良好的精神和思想,红河理工学院致力于提供优秀的心理辅导服务和支持。

点击这里了解更多:    https://www.rrc.ca/counselling

记住,你不是一个人。成长和学习虽很重要,但是你需要允许自己停下来,休息一下,然后继续前行。

February Paint Night- Paint Night Creations

February 7, 2022

In January, we asked staff, students, and faculty to share the art they created at our January Paint Night- Below are the wonderful creations!

Art can be used to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels in our brain and releases endorphins that help us manage the experiences of anxiety. Creating art is a fantastic stress reliever! Paint night can mean taking care of yourself in a different way than what we usually do for ourselves. Keep an eye open in the staff news/student news for our next paint night updates.

Painting is just one way that creativity can promote stress management, but if painting is not for you that’s okay! We curated a list of accessible and beginner friendly crafts, take a look at the list below.

Creative Projects

February Paint Night

With a Cold and Dreary winter, we may be searching for hobbies or ways to help promote our own self-care. We will be holding another paint night for folks to join in and tune in to their creative side. Practicing art and embracing our creativity can help us to feel grounded, assist with managing stress, and an opportunity to focus on creating with our hands. Please join us for a free Paint Night to tune in to that part ourselves as we approach spring.

The Details

Date: February 17th, 2022

Time: 6-8pm

Platform: WebEx

Register Here

About the Artist

Kisa MacIsaac, RRC grad and owner of Power of Painting, will (virtually) lead you through an evening of self-care as you create your very own painting.

THRIVE events encourage balance and self-care that in turn supports good mental health. All THRIVE events are offered at no charge to participants and are open to staff, students, and faculty.

Need Supplies?

For this virtual paint night, you’re welcome to use your own supplies or sign up to borrow a supply pack. Supply packs will include the canvas, paint, and brushes and can be requested when you register. Brushes and unused paint must be returned to your campus so they can be reused.

We have a limited number of supply packs, so be sure to register early.

There is abundant evidence that taking time to express ourselves through creativity in a social group improves mental health and overall well-being. Don’t miss this chance to make yourself a priority.

More on the Instructor

Kisa MacIsaac (she/her) is Métis, a mother, artist, educator, and a RRC graduate (ECE diploma 2005). She works in a nonprofit early learning and

childcare program in Winnipeg’s inner city and leads wellness painting events as well as creating custom artworks. Making art is medicine –

it has the power reduce stress and anxiety, it is relaxing. Everyone can make art, it’s all about letting go of fear and just creating and going with the flow!
Check out: Power of Painting – Workshops and Art by Kisa
Facebook.com/powerofpainting
IG: @powerofpainting204

Campus Well-Being unit at RRC Polytech

January 13, 2022

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is pleased to announce its strategy for a more holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, facilitated through the new Campus Well-Being unit.

The new unit is an amalgamation of the Athletics and Recreation unit and RRC Polytech’s College-wide mental health strategy Healthy Minds Healthy College, and strives to create more opportunities for students, staff and faculty to participate in virtual and in-person activities that improve their overall well-being.

As part of the transition towards holistic well-being, RRC Polytech has made the difficult decision to cease participation in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference and will no longer operate Rebels sports teams.

Earlier this week we met with the Red River College Students’ Association executive team to inform them of this change and hear their ideas for how the SA can be included in the unit’s planning.

SA President Avery Halldorson provided the following message of support:

“The SA is supportive of this move and we look forward to seeing and participating in the activities and events the new unit brings to the College community.

We are in an evolving world, and while the varsity athletics program has played a role in improving students’ mental and physical health, the new Campus Well-Being unit can extend those same benefits to more students and staff. The new plan will provide something for everyone, from any background, and will be so beneficial to how students and staff integrate movement and self-care into their daily lives. In this new world, we have to find ways to adapt and be better, and I think this will be widely appreciated.“

It is important to highlight that this shift will not impact operation of The Loft or the Exchange District Fitness Facility. Both facilities are currently closed due to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases. This decision is guided by Public Health recommendations and a plan is in place to begin operating the Loft and Exchange District Fitness facilities when it is safe to do so.

Campus Well-Being was created as part of the Healthy Minds Healthy College Five Year Roadmap to Action and aligns with the College’s new Strategic Plan by: enhancing the student experience, fostering a culture of inclusion, and increasing opportunities for employee engagement.

The Four Priorities of Campus Well-Being:

Priority 1: Campus Well-Being is guided by a holistic view of health and well-being

  • Evidence, assessment and evaluation of programs to direct needs
  • Facilitated through a lens of equity
  • Providing more opportunities to all students, staff and faculty to connect, and maintain good physical and mental health.

Priority 2: Sport and Fitness enhancements on campus and at home

  • NDC Loft and Roblin fitness facilities
  • Fitness classes onsite
  • Virtual live and on demand fitness classes
  • Fitness consultations
  • “Ask the Expert” lunch and learns
  • Intramurals (basketball, futsal, volleyball, pickle ball, badminton etc.)
  • Activity challenges
  • E-sports tournaments and watch events (in collaboration with the Manitoba Esports Association)

Priority 3: Mental Well-Being

  • Through our College-wide Mental Health Strategy where we seek to:
    • Increase awareness and literacy of mental health (reducing stigma)
    • Provide advice and consultation; share internal and external resources
    • Build capacity through training (safeTALK, The Working Mind, Mental Health First Aid)
    • Partner with other internal and external stakeholders to implement:
      • National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety
      • National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students

Priority 4: Recreation and Wellness

  • Arts based activities
  • Relaxation based activities
  • Mindfulness and meditation
  • On-campus massage therapy

The Campus Well-Being unit is currently developing its full annual plan, and will begin making announcements about activities soon.

Currently Breanna Sawatzky is Acting Manager for Campus Well-Being. Breanna has been with RRC Polytech since 2016 as the College’s Mental Health Coordinator and has worked to implement the Healthy Minds Healthy College strategy and develop the five year Roadmap to Action.

I am grateful for Breanna’s expertise in health and wellness, her commitment to consultation and evidence-based practice and her enthusiasm for Campus Well-Being.  Breanna has degree in Psychology, and is currently working towards a Masters of Public Health through the University of Victoria.

Recruitment and competition for the Manager position, as well as other key positions in Campus Well-Being will be forthcoming.

For more information, please review the frequently asked questions below.

We look forward to connecting with each of you soon.

Laureen Janzen, M.A.
Director, Student Support Services
RRC Polytech

Frequently Asked Questions:

Will any staff lose their jobs from the decision to cease Rebels sports teams?

No current staff will be affected by this decision. Due to Covid-19, the Rebels athletics program has not been operational for close to two years, and all staff involved in the program had previously been redeployed.

The shift towards a holistic Campus Well-Being unit will allow RRC Polytech to employ students on a contract, casual, or part-time basis.

The College is also actively recruiting permanent positions within the Campus Well-Being unit.

Was this decision made due to budget cuts?

No, there were no budget cuts made. All funds that were previously used to support the athletics program will be diverted to Campus Well-Being.

Sports and competition help students focus on their mental and physical health, and help relieve the stress from their studies. Why would you take that away?

The Rebels athletics program involved around 100-120 students per year across the four sports RRC Polytech had participated in. Through the Campus Well-Being unit RRC Polytech will be able to expand the mental and physical benefits of sport and competition to even more students – as well as staff and faculty.

We are currently not working or learning on campus, how can we get involved in Campus Well-Being?

During Covid-19, the Campus Well-Being unit will expand its offerings of virtual activities, including physical, mental and recreational sessions.

Once staff and students begin to return to campus full-time, many of those offerings will shift to in person – however we will continue to host virtual activities as well.

The unit will also work with the School of Indigenous Education, International Education, the Language Training Centre and each of the regional campuses to explore the best ways to engage staff and students in person when it is safe to do so.

Bell Let’s Talk Day

January 10, 2022

Bell Let’s Talk focuses on destigmatizing, building awareness, acceptance, and action in mental health. Of course, events will look slightly different this year, but continuing conversations about our mental health is more important than ever.

Hearing the stories others have to tell about their experiences overcoming and navigating mental health barriers helps us normalize and minimize the stigma or shame that we may feel concerning our own mental health.

Bell Let’s Talk Day represents a community coming together to learn about ourselves and the experiences of others and to create dialogue about what it means for us to support our mental health and wellness.

The Healthy Minds, Healthy College strategy focuses on ensuring that mental health resources in various capacities are accessible to the staff, students, and faculty at Red River College Polytechnic

For Bell Let’s Talk Day, we have compiled a list of self-led & facilitated activities to encourage participation in the mental health narrative by understanding and destigmatizing our experiences.

Please join us on January 26th from 12:00-1:00pm for a live facilitated workshop where we watch films curated by Student Life on Mental Health and discuss together ways to destigmatize and open up the conversation about mental health and wellness.

Explore Resources

Browse through the Wellness and Counselling Services websites and get up to speed on the variety of resources available to students. Staff resources can be found on the Staff Forum.

Pick up Bell Let’s Talk Merchandise

On January 26th drop by the Student Association Office at the NDC and receive a free Bell Let’s Talk Package including a toque, worksheets, and key fob. For questions about this please contact Pamela Villafranca

Contribute to the Virtual Photo Booth

Capture and share a photo of you wearing a digital Bell Let’s Talk toque and add a message about how you are taking care of your mental health. Access the virtual photo booth here.

Participate in Self-Led Activities

Download the Bell Let’s Talk Toolkit that has self led activities, such as Self Care Activity Challenge, Kindness Box, Chatterbox, and Mandala Art. Access the toolkit here

Jack.org Pre-Recoded Jack Talk (online)

Attend the Jack.Org event on Mental Health 101- a course designed to help and develop an understanding of mental health through storytelling, and hearing individuals lived experiences.  Jack.org

Join the Social Media Campaign

On January 26, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.

Mental Health Film Viewing- Facilitated Live Event

When: January 26th

TIme: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Platform: WebEx

Join us on January 26th to spend time together and watch a few short films on the topic of mental health, isolation, and stigma. Together we will discuss the films and practice grounding activities. Films are curated by the Student Life team and are chosen to represent various parts of ones mental health. Support will be available to all participants during the event. Register Here

 

 

 

Cookies with Kerri- Creativity, Coping, and Cookies

December 20, 2021

The holiday season is the perfect time for gathering with friends, new and old, and sampling sweet treats.

This heart-warming combination came together in a special virtual event planned by RRC Polytech’s Language Training Centre (LTC) and Student Life as part of the Healthy Minds, Healthy College Strategy. 

“Cookies with Kerri,” hosted by Kerri Korabelnikov, dean for the School of Education, Arts & Sciences, saw 50 students register for an online chocolate chip cookie baking lesson. While everyone got to enjoy a tasty treat at the end, the aim of the event went beyond baking.

“This wasn’t about just chocolate chip cookies, it was about connecting with people and creating a community,” says Korabelnikov. “It was very energizing; everyone was laughing and having a lot of fun.”

Students now living in Winnipeg but originally from around the world, including Korea, Mexico, and Colombia, collected ingredient kits in advance. On a blustery December evening, they joined together to participate step-by-step in a two-hour online session, hosted by Korabelnikov and supported by Michelle Johnson, manager of Student Integration and Employment Outreach at the LTC.

Students were also encouraged to involve their children in the cookie-making class, which made the experience even more special, says Korabelnikov.

The online baking activity was a family affair for LTC student Heidi Novelo Poot and her eight-year-old daughter, Maya.

“It was something different that you can enjoy with the kids and meet other people,” says Novelo Poot. “She (Maya) was so proud, and I think that was the best part. And those cookies were very good, and the recipe was easy.”

Another student, Gabriel Novelo (no relation to Novelo Poot), has been in Manitoba since moving from Mexico in August and is taking classes with the LTC. Activities like “Cookies with Kerri” are a good way to connect with people, Novelo says, something that is more challenging in the middle of a pandemic.

“I wanted to participate with students from other classes. As a newcomer, I need to be in touch with as many students as possible,” Novelo says. “As a newcomer, you need to integrate and take part in all of the activities.”

For Novelo, who operated a food truck in Mexico, the experience marked another first.

“It was fantastic because I used to cook in my food truck, but I never baked. This was the first time I had the chance to bake something,” says Novelo, adding the cookies “magically disappeared” quickly.

In addition to building a stronger sense of community, there are other positive mental health benefits to activities like baking, says Pamela Villafranca, Mental Health Coordinator at RRC Polytech.

“We want to introduce students to different self-care activities. We may not think of it this way, but cooking, baking and prepping food can be a form of self-care; it can be therapeutic for some folks, the process of working with your hands, mixing the ingredients, and getting to sample the final product can feel really good,” says Villafranca. “This workshop promoted connection and community building, and taking a break from your studies to learn a new skill.”

Villafranca shares some key wellness tips to stay connected and support your mental health:

  • Find ways to stay connected with your peers and your instructors – join group chats, use instructor office hours, turn on your video in class, and participate, such as asking questions in class
  • Recognize that we need a variety of forms of self-care, and we may need varying types of self-care at different times of our lives
  • Try something new! Baking cookies is one example of a self-care activity that helps you get creative, learn something new, and work with your hands
  • Learn about the services that you can access for support, including the Mental Health Coordinator and Student Support Services department

Above all, Villafranca notes: “We want the students to know that staff and faculty are here for them, and we want to support them.”

To learn more about wellness initiatives at RRC Polytech, the Healthy Minds Healthy College Blog. 

You can also try out Kerri’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup white sugar 1 tsp baking soda
1 cup margarine or butter 2 tsp hot water
1 1/2 cups brown sugar 2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
3 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips

Baking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Mix white sugar, margarine or butter and brown sugar together
  3. Combine baking soda and hot water in separate dish
  4. Add baking soda/water, eggs, vanilla, salt, and flour to sugar mixture and stir
  5. Stir in chocolate chips
  6. Form dough into small balls and place on cookie sheet
  7. Bake at 350F for 9 -11 minutes
  8. Remove cookies from cookie sheet and let cool
  9. Enjoy your delicious cookies

And feel free to reach out and let us know what you think!

2022 Mental Health Events- Create a Vision Board!

December 14, 2021

Join RRC alumni, Amanda Le Rougetel for a night of Vision Board fun!

What is a Vision Board?

Also known as dream boards, a vision board is a visualization tool which refers to a board of any sort used to build a collage of words and pictures that represent your goals and dreams. These inspirational collages serve as your image of the future – a tangible example, idea or representation of where you are going. By putting a vision board somewhere you can see it every day, you will prompt yourself to visualize your ideal life on a regular basis.

What supplies do you need?

All you need is: a pair of scissors, glue, stock paper/poster board, and magazines!

Don’t have any magazines, but still want to participate? Register below, and check ‘yes‘ to needing supplies.

Magazines must be picked up at the Notre Dame or Exchange District campus. Pick-up times will be directly e-mailed to you.

Don’t forget – you can also participate virtually with absolutely no supplies with the help of Canva!

REGISTER HERE

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn more ›