Men’s mental health often flies under the radar. This means we need to be aware of what mental health looks like, validate that men (and everyone!) experience concerns with their mental health, and consider how to allow ourselves to experience it without shame or embarrassment.

Join Sheldon Hill (RP.), MindBeacon Psychotherapist, who will discuss some of the things that prevent men from seeking help, signs that you may be experiencing a mental health concern, and how to seek help once you’ve identified you need it.

New Date!: Thursday, April 29 (rescheduled from Monday, April 12)

Time: noon-1pm

Platform: WebEx – register here

More On The Presenter

Sheldon Hill (RP.) is a humanistic-existential, person-centred therapist who is passionate about helping clients alleviate their concerns so they can lead a meaningful, values-driven lives. Sheldon completed a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Western University. At MindBeacon, Sheldon guides clients, including RRC students, as they complete programs based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

More on MindBeacon

Red River College is committed to providing access to a variety of mental health supports that address a wide range of needs.  If you are an RRC student and would like a referral to access MindBeacon’s Therapist Guided Program free of charge, please contact Breanna Sawatzky, Mental Health Coordinator. RRC staff may be able to use their extended health benefits toward MindBeacon services.

More On Men’s Mental Health

HeadsUpGuys is a Movember Foundation funded group based out of the University of British Columbia that is dedicated to supporting men living with depression, as well as their friends and families. They provide practical advice, information about professional services and inspirational stories of recovery.

Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto highlights some of the key topics to consider when exploring men’s mental health.

After months of analyzing, consulting and prioritizing we’re please to share that Red River College’s Senior Leadership has approved and endorsed our new five year strategy. Healthy Minds Healthy College Strategy: A Roadmap for Action 2021-2025 is the blueprint to carry the strategy forward for the years to come. Both our Steering Committee and Advisory Group shaped the strategy’s direction, taking a community-wide and systemic approach to promoting well-being.

In the Roadmap, we’ve built in strategies to promote mental health and well-being amongst all community members. In addition, we’ve identified additional strategies to support those with concerns about coping. Finally, we’ve outlined priorities to support individuals experiencing mental illness or crisis.

To learn more about the Roadmap and our immediate priorities, please join Breanna Sawatzky for: State of Mind: A Community Exchange on April 9, 2021 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm.

This interactive forum will include a short presentation, highlighting key aspects of the Roadmap, followed by discussion.

How are you doing? Many of us are welcoming the milder temperatures and longer daylight hours of spring. At the same time, March and April are particularly stressful times in the academic calendar. As you manage the demands of work and school, you’re invited to find some balance by engaging in art-based creativity.

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.

The Details

Date: Thursday, April 8

Time: 7-9pm

Platform: WebEx

Register here.

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’s ample evidence that taking time to express yourself 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 non profit early learning and child care 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

To start 2021 on a mindful note, dozens of staff and students engaged in a 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge. The Challenge involves participating in short online lessons and practice for, you guessed it, 30 days.

While mindfulness practice can’t take away all of our stressors, it can certainly build up our ability to cope with these in healthy ways. By improving our ability to be in the present moment with openness and non-judgement, we can strengthen our mental resilience.

Everyone who completed was entered in a prize draw and we’re happy to announce the winners.

Grand Prizes

Grand prize winners each receive a $50 gift card to Good Local. Good Local is an online marketplace that makes it easy for Manitobans to buy local. Congratulations to winners Mavis McRae and Tim Reyes.

Second Prizes

Second prize winners each receive a $25 gift card to Good Local. Congratulations to winners Rita Zuba Prokopetz and Jaewook Park.

The Challenge

We asked our winners what they thought of the Challenge and here’s what they had to say.

Prize winner and challenge completer, Mavis McRae.

“The 30 day challenge is perfect for a task oriented person. The quick tips and bite sized info was just enough to remind me to take a second before reacting or switching tasks. Since habits build over time, 30 days is unlikely enough to build new good habits, but at least it is a start.  It was a good wake up call to all the things I do on autopilot.” – Mavis McRae, Director, Prairie Research Kitchen

Remember, the Challenge is available all year round and you can even do it with a buddy to keep you on track. Create your account to get started.

“The Mindwell training took me longer than 30 days because I wanted to ensure I was in the moment during every 5-minute session. We discussed some of the concepts in class, and some students ended up taking the training as well – some have completed it already. We used the learning to discuss self-discoveries, metacognition, etc. in one of our classes.” – Rita Zuba Prokopetz, Instructor

For any questions about the Mindwell resources, please contact Mental Health Coordinator, Breanna Sawatzky.

Did you know that eating balanced meals regularly can reduce anxiety symptoms, increase energy levels, and even improve concentration and memory? Eating habits are critical to overall wellness, yet when we get busy or stressed we often don’t make the best food choices.

So, show yourself some love by cooking a delicious and balanced meal. Learn how to make baked chicken and Asian coleslaw while cooking alongside your instructor, Abby Legaspi! This workshop is part of our Thrive event series, hosted by the RRCSA and Healthy Minds Healthy College.

Date: Wednesday, March 3

Time: 7-9pm

Menu: Baked chicken with Asian coleslaw

Register here. After registering you will receive a Zoom link to join. Seating is limited to 20 participants.

Ingredient kits. If you require a kit with ingredients, be sure to register by February 28 so you can pick up the kit on Monday, March 1. For this event, kits can only be picked up at the Notre Dame Campus. You may also simply purchase the ingredients at your local grocery store.

All students and staff are welcome. For accessibility needs, please contact Breanna Sawatzky.

Cooking for Wellness workshop instructor Abby Legaspi

About the instructor: Abby Legaspi is a Nutrition graduate from U of M with 10 years’ experience running cooking programs for different non-profit and grass roots organizations. She now works at NorWest Co-op Community Food Centre and is passionate about almost everything related to food, from gardening to cooking. Abby sees food as a means to connect people while recognizing that food insecurity can be experienced by many. As an advocate for good food, it is Abby’s hope that one day, everyone will be food secure.

As the stresses of the term pile up, it’s even more important to be smart with your time and carve out a couple of hours to refresh your mind and spirit. A virtual paint night is the perfect opportunity to take this much needed break.

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.

The Details

Date: Thursday, February 25

Time: 7-9pm

Platform: WebEx

Register here.

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’s ample evidence that taking time to express yourself 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 non profit early learning and child care 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

February is Psychology Month; a time when psychologists make a special effort to educate the public on how psychology can help people live healthy and happy lives.

To celebrate Psychology Month, the Manitoba Psychological Society has organized a variety of educational seminars for the public on a wide array of psychology-related topics. RRC is fortunate to be hosting two of these events.

Anxiety Solutions

While anxiety is a natural and healthy human emotion, excessive anxiety can interfere with life, work, and studies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many students and staff are experiencing more intense or prolonged forms of anxiety, from nervousness and worry to fear and dread.

You’re invited to attend a live virtual Q&A session where anxiety experts present solutions to common anxiety-related issues. There are two separate sessions scheduled in order to accommodate a variety of schedules.

When: Tuesday February 9, noon-1pm with Dr. Jason Ediger OR Thursday, February 18, 1-2pm with Dr. Elizabeth Hebert

Where: WebEx. Register here for February 9 OR register here for February 18.

All students and staff are welcome. Please contact Breanna Sawatzky for accessibility needs.

More About the Presenters

Dr. Jason Ediger, C. Psych.

Dr. Ediger has a special interest in blending cognitive behaviour therapy with mindfulness based approaches to change and coping. His practice focuses on anxiety, mood difficulties, chronic pain and health concerns in adults and adolescents.

Dr. Elizabeth Hebert, C. Psych.

Dr. Elizabeth Hebert provides psychological treatment services for anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and other mental health concerns. Her main research interest is the development and evaluation of psychological treatments for anxiety disorders and the cognitive-behavioural mechanisms underlying these disorders.

How’s your sleep? If you’re finding it hard to get enough good sleep, you’re not alone.

Sleep is a key part of overall health and wellness so when it’s difficult or disrupted, your whole life can suffer. Join Dr. Elizabeth Hebert, licensed clinical psychologist and sleep expert, to find effective sleep solutions.

Date: Thursday, January 28

Time: 1-2pm

Platform: WebEx (register here)

Improving your sleep will help you do well in your studies, at work, and in life. Don’t miss this session and be sure to bring your questions for Dr. Hebert. All staff and students are welcome.

If you can’t attend at the scheduled time, watch staff and student news for a recording.

Questions or accessibility needs can be directed to Breanna Sawatzky.

Music is an excellent wellness tool. Whether you put on some music to shift your mood, express yourself by making music, or learn a new musical skill – the emotional and spiritual power of music can’t be denied. While we stay home as much as possible these days, it’s still important to take meaningful breaks from work and academics, giving our bodies and minds a chance to recharge.

Music Workshop Series

For these reasons we’re happy to invite staff and students to a series of Thrive events centred around music and delivered by the Manitoba Conservatory for Music and Arts.

Registration for each workshop opens two weeks in advance. After registering, you will recieve a Zoom link to join the event. All workshops run 7-8pm on a Wednesday. There is no cost to attend and you do not require your own instrument.

January 27: Improvisation

Music improvisation uses music patterns and concepts to create free form and stylistic new arrangements. Learn how to take your music knowledge and add your personal expressions to create a new arrangement.

February 17: Songwriting Collaboration

Participate in the creation of brand new music! Tune in to observe, provide your creative input toward lyrics and melodies, help improvise or vote on song ideas. We will use Garage Band to create a new music composition on the spot.

March 24: Song Sharing

What are some of your most loved songs and why? Bring a favourite song to this “round table” session and we will listen, discuss the artist, structure and meaning. You are welcome and encouraged to play your song using an instrument, or find a recorded version (whatever your preference). Let’s talk about what makes this music great!

April 21: Feel the Beat

Tap your feet, clap your hands and break out the pots and pans as you learn how to tell an exciting story through percussion soundscapes. Register here.

As we begin a new year amid ever present challenges, it’s a good idea to take time to develop a healthy mindset, along with stress management skills. With this in mind, you’re invited to join dozens of other RRC students and staff in a 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge.

Can you receive difficult messages with openness? Can you reverse the stress response and calm your nervous system? Are you able to step back from your thoughts and watch them come and go? All of these skills are key to building good mental health and all are part of the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge curriculum.

The Challenge takes just five minutes a day, anytime, anywhere and on any device, yet there is evidence that it lowers stress, increases resilience, improves teamwork, and strengthens leadership skills.

The Challenge teaches ‘mindfulness-in-action’ so people don’t need to stop what they are doing to become calm, present and focused.

Learn more about the Challenge and other mindfulness resources here.

Registration

All RRC students and staff can register for the challenge here. You can even register a buddy to keep you motivated. You can register any time, but your challenge will officially begin on the Tuesday after you register.

Prize draw

Complete all 30 days of the Challenge and you unlock a certificate that will get you entered into a draw for prizes, including one of two $50 gift cards to Good Local. Simply send your certificate to blsawatzky@rrc.ca before February 28 and you will be entered to win.

Please contact Breanna Sawatzky with any questions.