Hello, I’m Breanna Sawatzky, your new Mental Health Coordinator! I’m so thrilled to be tasked with promoting positive mental health for students, staff, and faculty here at RRC. This is just my third week in the position, yet so many people have welcomed me, helping me feel at ease. I’d like to tell you a bit about myself and what I bring to the Mental Health Coordinator role.

I’ve always been interested in factors that contribute to human suffering and human flourishing. These interests led me to major in Psychology at the University of Winnipeg. During my studies I volunteered with Klinic Community Health Centre’s Crisis and Sexual Assault Crisis programs, providing person centered counselling, advocacy, and support based on an empowerment model.

I earned my honours B.A. in Psychology and worked as a Research Assistant in Psychiatry at Health Sciences Centre and the University of Manitoba. There I was privileged to interact with many people who were experiencing severe and persistent Mental Illness, some in recovery and some still grappling with unbearable symptoms.

After my research work, I served as a Mental Health Skills Teaching Specialist with the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s Learning and Leisure Centre. There I facilitated skill development groups, conducted one-on-one coaching sessions, and led therapeutic recreation activities with adults who had experienced mental illness and needed a supportive community to help them in their recovery. I was later the Director of that program and then Manager of Community Outreach at the Y.

I strongly believe in collaboration and have worked with several groups who are committed to mental health promotion and recovery. Some are the MANSO Health Committee; WRHA Mental Health Advisory Council; and Provincial Recovery Champions Committee.

I’m passionate about knowledge translation and participatory decision making, where service users drive service design. I know that a lot of work has gone into the Healthy Minds, Healthy College Charter and strategy up to this point. I’m so excited to start implementing programming to ensure RRC is a health promoting College.

On a personal note, I live in St. James with my husband and two children (6 and 3 years old). We love to spend time at Assiniboine Park throughout all four seasons. An awesome book club and regular yoga practice help me stay well and balanced. My family also volunteers with Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council‘s host matching program. We have been matched with a large Syrian family (they have 8 children!) who arrived in Winnipeg as refugees.

I’m excited to use Mind it! to highlight the many ways we each care for our mental health, cope with challenges, and form supportive communities. I welcome guest blog posts, so please contact me with your insights, experiences, and suggestions. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to this blog!

You can find me in AB05 at NDC and wherever my duties take me.

I thank you for reading this and I hope to see you around campus!

Breanna

To Learn or Not to Learn: By Beverly Wood

I decided to take a Continuing Education course this fall in a new and unfamiliar field of Network Technology. I have used computer applications regularly but I am not aware of how computers interact with each other. One of the instructors teaching this course piqued my interest in this field.

At exam time I always ask WHY I do this to myself. I could be outside enjoying the gorgeous fall weather, hiking, walking the dogs or simply enjoying our backyard. But, I am inside studying/reading/doing assignments. Why? “It is my LOVE of learning,” I tell myself. But why do I love learning despite the knowledge of the hard work involved in order to do well?

Some of the benefits of learning are:

• Prevents boredom with life creeping in (emotional health)
• Makes me happy (physical & emotional health)
• Provides an opportunity to engage with other people and make new friends (social health)
• Keeps my mind active, alert and healthy (intellectual health)
• Good for personal and professional growth
• Gives me a sense of accomplishment and an enhanced quality of life

So, when was the last time you learned something new?

Learning does not have to involve exams and homework. Have you been thinking of trying your hand at something new? Maybe it is a canning class or learning how to fix your own bike or knitting, etc. The world is a fascinating place; there are so many interesting things/topics to learn about. This winter, I encourage you to take the time to learn something new. You may be surprised how good it makes you feel.

While we enjoy the fall season, don’t forget to set aside some time for exercise and fitness. While the days become shorter and more crisp in Winnipeg, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy the outdoors while working being active. There are many outdoor options in the city, from various parks, to green spaces, playgrounds and sport fields. One hidden gem at the Assiniboine Park is the Terry Fox Fitness Trail.

Created over 30 years ago, the Terry Fox Fitness Trails is area where people of all fitness levels can enjoy exercise in the beautiful Assiniboine Park. Re-opened in June of 2016, and located in the South-East corner of the park, the 1km Trail has been extensively renovated and has replaced all 12 pieces of it’s fitness equipment.

The beauty of the park is that you can create a workout that fits you on that day, the only limit being your imagination. Along the running trail, each piece of equipment has signage explaining each exercise with diagrams. The trail is open year round, 24 hours a day.

Click Here for a Global News video touring the updated Terry Fox Trail

Click Here for the Assiniboine Park Map

Winter is fast approaching and being prepared for the season is important. Consider preparing a winter driving kit including the following items:[1]

• Warm clothing (gloves, toque, boots)
• Blanket
• Sand
• Small shovel
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Nonperishable snacks
• Extra windshield washer fluid
• First aid kit
• Paper copy of a local map
• Flashlight with batteries
• Flares
• Waterproof matches
• Battery jumper cables

Additionally, be sure to properly maintain your vehicle. Your tire condition and pressure and fluid levels should be checked regularly. If you don’t already use winter tires it may be a good idea to consider purchasing some. Manitoba Public Insurance currently offers a Winter Tire Program with financing at a low interest rate for up to $2,000 per vehicle.[2]

You are eligible for the Winter Tire Program if:

• You are an individual (not corporate) Manitoba Public Insurance Customer
• You purchase qualifying winter tires for a passenger vehicle or light truck registered under your name. This symbol will be displayed on qualifying tires:
• You have no financing restrictions or outstanding arrears with Manitoba Public Insurance

For more information on the Manitoba Public Insurance Winter Tire Program and complete eligibility requirements, vist their website here.

Avoid Shoveling Injuries[3]

Shoveling is a common cause of back injuries in the winter, but you can avoid injury by following some of these tips:

• Use an ergonomic, light weight shovel
• Warm up your muscles with a short, full body activity and stretching
• Bend at your hips and your knees, not at your lower back
• Lift with your leg muscles
• Shovel small amounts of snow at a time or layer by layer
• Walk to where you want to pile the snow instead of throwing or reaching
• Take a break if you feel overworked and take this time to stretch your arms, shoulders and back
• Wear good winter boots with treads to avoid slipping
• If you have a snow blower use it instead, but be sure to keep your back straight and use your leg muscles to push through the snow

Supporting Your Wellness

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

It’s a busy time of year, and managing overload and flexibility can be overwhelming. LifeWorks has the resources to help you balance all of life’s demands. Check out this months’ recommended podcast:

• Tips on Making Flexibility Work

[1] Tips to Prepare for Winter Road Conditions. CAA. http://www.caa.ca/tips-to-prepare-for-winter-road-conditions/. November 5, 2012.

[2] Winter Tire Program, Manitoba Public Insurance, http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/rd-safety/winter-tires/Pages/winter-tire-program-overview.aspx. 2016.

[3] Snow Shoveling Techniques to Prevent Low Back Injuries. Peter J. Schubbe, DC. Spine-health™. http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/snow-shoveling-techniques-prevent-low-back-injuries. December 16, 2013.

The RRC Wellness Initiative is a movement at the College that’s partly formal, and partly organic. Formal: The wellness committee, the wellness steering group, and RRC departments. Organic: The many informal groups and individual students and staff who participate in wellness conversations and actions each day.

These actions, both strategic and grassroots, are moving the needle on wellness programming, resources and supports for students and staff.

Two years ago, the wellness committee created a definition of wellness.

In part, we call it “a positive state of well-being, driven by a lifelong, dynamic process of change and growth within oneself, with others and with our environment. It is distinct from the concept of “absence of illness”. Our concept of wellness is holistic – it involves multiple dimensions, including emotional, social, spiritual, physical, intellectual /career, environmental and financial. These dimensions interact continuously, influencing and being influenced by one another individually and collectively. Do you find that this description resonates with you?

Interestingly, some leading research refers to wellness as a skill, not just a state. I’m interested in that concept – the idea that we can develop the ability to cultivate and maintain stronger wellness over time is a powerful one.

Many people find that when we speak of wellness in terms of dimensions, it’s easier to look at the areas that seem less in balance and to gain perspective on why and what to do about it (if anything!) For example, I’m not going to train for a triathlon this year because my husband just started a new business. I want to help him with his set up because emotional and financial wellness is more important to me and my family right now than completing the big race. So, that’s okay with me. Seeing this choice in the context of wellness dimensions, I  I feel less likely to put on the self-guilt about not tackling the triathlon.

Meanwhile, I’ve also noticed how much spiritual wellness has been a huge focus for me in the last year, and I can see how that’s filled a gap in my life compared to previous years, so it reinforces for me that this dimension is really feeling healthy right now and I want to keep that up.

What dimensions feel more in balance for you right now, and less in balance? Do you have a sense of why and does it make sense for you right now? If not, consider taking steps to work on that dimension of wellness this year. This might include using resources and supports available here at RRC, or it might involve things external to the College. Or both!

RRC uses the visual of a “wellness wheel” to get our definition across in an approachable way. Have you seen the wellness wheel around campus? It’s on event posters, on display banners and posters, and has been incorporated into various guide books and communications. Keep an eye out for it – it highlights events and programs that tie into the initiative.

Speaking of events, the Wellness Committee has done a ton of work over the past two years to deliver events and programming for the benefit of students and staff. This year, we expanded on our partnership with the Students’ Association to deliver Thrive Week from October 3 to 7 – a mental health awareness week for staff and students (previously just for students). Highlights we heard across the board were the therapy dogs and the featured speaker Nova Browning Rutherford. Our next signature event will be the 2nd annual Get Movin’ Challenge throughout February. We look forward to distributing pedometers, signing people up, giving away prizes, and reducing sedentary behavior during the coldest month of the year! We also have other key goals for the year, including the development of some personal wellness self-assessment tools, adding new wellness activities to our next RED Forum, and better targeting our newest employees to get them plugged into RRC wellness.

Lastly, I mentioned earlier that wellness at RRC includes grassroots individual conversations. I invite you to read an amazingly candid and heartfelt story from an RRC student named Cassandra Cardy who has initiated a conversation about her mental health with her readers via a blog post. It’s up on the Mind It! site and it’s profoundly moving. I urge you to check it out.

Republished with permission from Cassandra Cardy, a student in Red River College Creative Communications program.

I dipped low this summer. I have dipped before in my life and usually justified the feelings of sadness and guilt with hormones or growing up.

I got up, left the house without saying goodbye to anyone like I was doing every day, and I got into my car.

I didn’t know where I was going but I had a phone number my friend gave me a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t live with myself another day. I don’t like saying “myself” because from February-August I was not myself. In fact, what I was experiencing was a deep longing for my old self. I missed her. I missed her like I missed a dead person, like she was never coming back. I don’t know how, when or why she left.

I drove down the highway toward town with nowhere to go. No desires. No wants. No purpose. Nothing was making me want to do this again tomorrow. There was no point to any of this.

I pulled into the truck stop I drive by every day for 20 years and parked in the foreign parking lot with semis and road-trippers using the bathroom.

I call the number for a mental health nurse my friend gave me. It rang and it rang and her friendly voice came on at the end and said to leave a message. I rested my head on the steering wheel.

Forty-five minutes later I was in Brandon putting a Toonie in a parking meter. I stepped around the smeared tent caterpillars on the sidewalk while walking to the downtown clinic.

I walked passed the brochures on suicide and abortion. I walked passed the pile of sticky Home Sense Magazine on the coffee table waiting room. A lady’s head stuck out from behind the admin counter and when she looked at me from over her glasses I began to sob.

“I need help.”

Read More →

As part of Red River College’s group benefits, Employees in Flex Options 1, 2, 4 or 5 may have coverage for a variety of dental benefits. Your coverage is based on your Flex Option choice.

Preventive and Basic Services

• Recall exams, twice per calendar year* provided within the same year)
• (only once where a complete oral exam is also
• Bitewing x-rays, twice per calendar year*
• Complete series of x-rays, one per 24 months
• Panoramic x-rays, one per 36 months
• Complete oral examinations, one per calendar year
• (initial examination with a new dentist)
• Polishing, scaling and fluoride, twice per calendar year*
• Minor restorative services (fillings, posts, prefabricated
• crowns for primary teeth)
• Periodontal and Endodontic services
• Oral surgery

*must be separated by an interval of at least 5 months

Major Services

• Crowns, Onlays, Inlays and Veneer Restorations
• Dentures, maintenance and repairs
• Bridgework

Orthodontics

• Coverage for dependent children under child’s 18^th birthday)
• the age of 19 (treatment must start before the
• Diagnostic services and treatments

For detailed dental coverage information refer to your benefits booklet.

The above is a summary of the provisions of the group plan. In the event of a discrepancy between this summary and the group contract, the terms of the group contract will apply.

Pre-Determination of Dentalcare Benefits

Before incurring any large dental expenses ($500 or more), or beginning any orthodontic treatment, ask your dental service provider to complete a treatment plan and submit it to Great-West Life. The benefits payable for the proposed treatment will be calculated, so you know if the expenses are eligible and the approximate portion of the cost you will have to pay.

Are you prepared for Flu Season?

With the fluctuating temperatures and more time spent indoors, the flu season can sneak up on us. Health Canada suggests the flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself against the flu. Flu vaccines are free and are available at a variety of venues such as doctor’s offices, nursing stations and pharmacies.[1]

In addition to getting vaccinated each year, consider following these tips to prevent the flu this season:[2]

• Wash your hands frequently
• Use the bend of your arm when coughing and sneezing instead of your hands
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces at work and at home often
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat healthy foods and exercise
• Get lots of rest

Check out the Government of Canada website for more information here.

Fall Cooking

Try this Spiced Up Butternut Squash Soup recipe to keep you warm this fall:[3]

• 1 butternut squash
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp mild curry powder or paste
• 3 cups sodium reduced vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup 0% fat plain Greek yogurt (optional)

1. Peel squash and cut into quarters. Remove seeds and further cut into cubes.
2. In a soup pot, heat oil over medium heat and add onion, garlic and curry powder. Cook while stirring for about 2 minutes or until onion starts to soften. Add squash, broth and cilantro or parsley, if using. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for about 25 minutes or until squash is tender.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth. Stir in pepper.

Supporting Your Wellness

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

It’s that busy time of year again, whether you’re moving or adjusting to a transition, LifeWorks can support you with resources to help you adapt to change. Check out this months’ recommended podcast:

• Coping with Loss

[1] Because it’s about them too. Get Vaccinated. Don’t Spread the Flu. Manitoba Health. 2016. http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu/index.html

[2] Prevention of flu (influenza). Government of Canada. 2015. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/diseases-conditions-maladies-affections/disease-maladie/flu-grippe/prevention-eng.php

[3] Spiced Up Butternut Squash Soup. Government of Canada. 2014. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating-saine-alimentation/tips-conseils/recipes-recettes/butternut-squash-soup-soupe-courge-butternut-eng.php

Don’t forget to reconfirm Student Status!

To ensure your dependent children, age 22 to 25, continue to receive uninterrupted Health and Dental coverage for the duration of their formal education, be sure to update their student status with Great-West Life each year.

Is your Dependent Child eligible?

If you have unmarried, natural, adopted or step children, under the age of 22 and not working more than 30 hours a week, unless they are full-time students, they are eligible for coverage through your group benefits plan with Great-West Life. If your child is age 22 or over, they must be a full-time student to maintain coverage until age 25.

Is your Dependent Child considered a fill-time student?

A child is considered a full-time student if they have registered in an educational institution for 15 hours a week or more; sometime in the last 6 months. Your child is no longer deemed a dependent if they are being paid to attend an educational institution.

Does my dependent child have coverage while out-of-country?

If your child is considered an eligible dependent, they will be covered for unexpected emergency medical situation while out-of-country. An emergency is defined as a sudden, unexpected injury or an acute episode of disease. If your dependent child has a medical issue, the condition must be stable and controlled for 3 months prior to their departure from Canada in order to be eligible for coverage. Check with your doctor and Great-West Life if you are unsure. For a dependent who is not a student, no benefits will be paid for expenses incurred more than 90 days after the date of departure from Canada in the event of a medical emergency.

Is your child covered while studying abroad?

Your dependent child will remain on your Health and Dental plan for the duration of their education, or until they reach age 25 as long as approval is given by the student’s provincial health plan. For more information on your provincial health plan, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/index.html.

Keep in mind, any routine or non-emergency services or expenses such as chiropractic care or prescription drugs incurred out-of-country will be reimbursed at the reasonable and customary amount charged in your home province of residence.

If you feel your dependent’s coverage is inadequate and require additional individual coverage, plans purchased in Canada for students abroad can be significantly less expensive than plans available through post-secondary institutions. Red River College Employees have access to HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting Individual Health Dental and Travel service which provides information and assistance in obtaining individual coverage. Contact HUB STRATA at 1-866-756-3281 or e-mail emerge@hubinternational.com for more information.

Supporting Your Wellness

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

Resources are available to help you resolve conflict and build strong relationships. This month the recommended Podcast is:

• Workplace Manners

STRATA Select Travel Discount Program

Through our affiliation with HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting, we are able to offer our employees products and services at discounted or preferred rates through the Voluntary STRATA Select Program.

One of these products provides access to below-market hotel and car rental discounts while you travel. Hotel discounts are available for over 120,000 hotel properties worldwide with car rental discounts for over 800 car rental suppliers across 175 countries. For more information on these discounts or the Voluntary STRATA Select Program, please visit your STRATA Select website.

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Through the voluntary STRATA Select Program, you are eligible for discounts on a variety of products and services such as an Individual Life & Living Benefits consultation. Whether you are looking to supplement or replace group life and living benefits, or reviewing options for a loved one, a consultation with an independent insurance agent is your best choice.

With access to multiple insurance companies without bias, an independent agent will serve as your consultant and trusted advisor. With your best interests in mind, a consultant will analyze the full array of available products to recommend the best fit for you.

An individual life and living benefits consultation will include:

• A Comprehensive Needs Assessment – before recommending your best combination of coverage, service and value, your consultation will assess:
  • Budget
  • Coverage Duration
  • Family Medical History
  • Outstanding Debt Concerns
• Administrative Support – application process and completion of all required administration within applicable timeframes.
• Prompt and Personal Service – ongoing assistance with any questions, policy adjustments and claims as they arise.

Log on to your STRATA Select website for contact information and more information on other STRATA Select discounts.

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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.

LifeWorks contains the resources for managing stress, depression, addiction, and many other mental health issues that may be affecting your health and well-being. Check out this month’s recommended Podcast:

• Getting Help for Depression

Summer Sun Protection

It’s that time of year. Time to head outside and enjoy all of the fun summer activities. It is very important to take protective measures against heat-related illness and sun exposure while enjoying the outdoors. Here is some information and tips to help you stay safe in the sun this summer.

The Facts about Ultraviolet (UV) Light and Skin Damage: [1]

• Sunlight is strong and can cause skin cancer, premature aging of your skin and can be harmful to your eyes
• The two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be harmful to you are UVA and UVB rays
• UV rays can get through clouds, fog and haze, and can be reflected by water, sand, concrete and snow

UV Index

The UV index is a useful tool that tells you the strength of the sun’s UV rays. Check the UV Index daily before going outside. When the UV Index reaches 3 or higher it is a good idea to protect your skin. The sun’s rays are the highest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Tips for Avoiding Skin Damage:[2]

• Choose to sit under a tree or an awning to avoid the sun. If you can see the sky from your shady spot, you may still need to use other methods to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
• Wear UV-protective clothing and a hat with a wide brim
• Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection that wrap around your face, completely protecting your eyes
• Use SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Try to plan activities in the shade[3]
• Some medications may negatively react with sun exposure. Be sure to read the label and information leaflet carefully to find out if there may be side effects.

Heat related Illness

It is important to keep cool and drink plenty of fluids when spending time outdoors during the summer months. Heat related illnesses can affect you quickly, so prepare for the heat and educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses. Visit the Health Canada website for more information on how to protect yourself from extreme heat.

Supporting Your Wellness

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

LifeWorks contains the resources to guide you in making healthy choices every day. Check out this months’ recommended Podcast:

• Becoming a Better Listener

Did You Know?

Through the voluntary STRATA Select Program, you are eligible for hotel discounts. STRATA Select has teamed up with Choice Hotels® to make travelling more enjoyable and convenient with a 15% discount. Choice Hotels® group of hotels includes Comfort™, Quality®, Clarion® and many more. With over 6,300 Choice Hotels® locations worldwide and 325 locations spanning across all provinces, you will be sure to find a conveniently located Choice Hotel for your stay.

Log on to your STRATA Select website for more information.

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[1] Sun and UV. Canadian Cancer Society. 2016. http://www.cancer.ca/en/prevention-and-screening/live-well/sun-and-uv/?region=qc

[2] Being safe in the sun. Canadian Cancer Society. 2016. http://www.cancer.ca/en/prevention-and-screening/live-well/sun-and-uv/being-safe-in-the-sun/?region=qc

[3] Protecting Your Family. Canadian Dermatology Association. 2016. http://www.dermatology.ca/programs-resources/resources/sun-safety/#!/programs-resources/resources/sun-safety/protecting-your-family/