Student News: February 2023 Wellness Programming

Posted: February 07, 2023

Message from Trinity College Wellness Team

Hi Trinity College students,

Happy February! We hope you are well. In this messaged (emailed to students) we have outlined some of the upcoming events that the Wellness Team is hosting! We have also listed some on-campus resources that we encourage you to be aware of, and open to connecting with, if you need support! Don’t forget to enter the February Wellness Care Package Giveaway and join the community for the Black History Thought Cafe on March 3.

The Wellness Team

If you don’t know us already—hello! Trinity has three staff – Ramata, Carae (Rae), and Missy – available to connect and help students with their mental health, wellness, and overall wellbeing. Students can book an appointment for any issue – big or small, academic or non-academic! Students can connect with Ramata, Rae or Missy by email or phone to book a meeting.

Ramata Tarawally (she/her) – Director, Community Wellness

Rae (she/her/they/them) and Missy (she/her) – Community Wellness Coordinators (CWC)

Abbott Room  – Trinity’s Wellness Space

We encourage you to come by, say hello, and stay awhile! Below you can find the times and days the Abbott Room (which is St. Hilda’s) is open.

Winter Abbott Room Schedule:

  • Monday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday: 10:00 am – 12: 00 pm
  • Friday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Activities and Events

A great way to connect with others to learn more about mental health and wellness in participate in our awesome and engaging activities! Keep reading to learn more about our upcoming programs.

Mindful Moments

Would you like to be more calm, confident, and connected? Join free weekly drop-in sessions, here at Trinity College, to practice secular mindful meditation techniques that increase your relaxation and focus.

  • Time: Tuesdays from 4:10 – 5:00 pm
  • Location: Abbott Room, St. Hilda’s Residence

@ForTrinStudents 

Stay connected with our teams! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook – @ForTrinStudents – to stay up to date on programs and events at Trinity College and U of T. Both platforms are curated by our student staff!

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. We encourage you to join Trinity College, the University of Toronto, and the Toronto community to explore and celebrate the heritage, traditions, and culture of Black Canadians. Below is a list of offerings at U of T and the City of Toronto. The Trinity Wellness team will also be hosting some events that will take place across the month. Additionally, on the @ForTrinStudents Instagram we will be highlighting Black History Month events throughout the month.

Upcoming Programs

The Wellness team is here for you and wants to make sure you are well supported. Feel free to stop by our offices at any time if you have questions or want to connect! We hope to see you out at our events!

  • February 8, 12:00 – 2:00 PM: Black History Month Bingo – Join us to test your knowledge of Black heritage and learn more with friends! We will be serving snacks and making matcha together in this BINGO cafe event (Abbott Room)
  • February 10, 11:15 – 1:00 PM: Wheel of Fortune – Wellness Edition! – Come by the Abbott Room for a chance to play a game of the wheel of fortune! Lucky winners may win some fancy goodies (Abbott Room)
  • February 10, 3:00 – 5:00 PM: Self Care Vision Board Making – Join us in the Abbott Room to set some self care goals for your year! Along with the Wellness Student Life PAs, put your goals down on paper to carry the message of self-love far beyond Valentine’s Day! (Abbott Room)
  • February 10, 5:00 – 7:00 PM: Jar of Wishes & Affirmations – Join the Mental Health Peer Advisors for a Night of Decorating a Jar and adding a collection of positive affirmations and well-wishes for your-self for the rest of the semester (Abbott Room)
  • February 13, 3:00 – 5:00 PM: Fondue of You – We will be making Valentine’s cards, crafts and chocolate covered strawberries as gifts to share with your loved ones! (Abbott Room)
  • February 15, 5:00 – 7:00 PM: Embroidery Night & Winter Reading Week Wellness Plan – Join the Mental Health Peer Advisors, creating a beautiful embroidery keep-sake and creating a Wellness Plan for the up-coming Reading Week (Abbott Room)
  • February 20-24, All-Day: The MHPAs Take-Over Instagram – Keep an eye out on Instagram! Each day the MHPAs will be sharing about special locations on campus that you should know about! Follow along during Reading Week! (@ForTrinStudents Instagram)
  • March 3, 3:30 – 5:00 PM: Black Wellness Thought Cafe – Join us for a conversation centred on supporting Black students’ wellness year-round! How can we come together as a community to reflect on Black heritage and uplift Black student success beyond February each year? (see below)

Black History Thought Cafe: March 3, 3:30 pm to 5 pm

Each year, Black History Month offers us time to collectively reflect on Black heritage past, present and future. As a community, it is essential for us to keep thinking about the ways that we can support Black students’ wellbeing beyond February. More importantly, it is important to find ways to translate these thoughts into action. Join us on Friday, March 3 at 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the Rigby Room (St. Hilda’s College) to gather as a community to reflect on Black wellbeing within Trinity, the broader university and the Toronto community!

This will be an open-community event, facilitated by Black-identifying U of T community members. Come ready to reflect, share, and learn – we grow as a community when we come together! As a thought café, light refreshments will be provided throughout the event.

The Wellness team will have a few cool contests this month. Access the Trinity Life Quercus page every day from Feb 6 – 10th to answer a fun quiz. Quizzes open at 9:00 AM and close at 11:59 PM daily. Every right answer on the quizzes, counts for 1 entry into the prize draw! Follow us on Instagram (@ForTrinStudents) and check out the Trinity Life Quercus to learn more!

February Wellness Care Package Giveaway

Win a Trinity Wellness package that will be shipped to you directly! February can be a difficult month. We recognize the pandemic may feel never ending and school is busy with term work and exams. We hope you are taking care of yourself and have designed this initiative to encourage you to reflect on your overall wellness and to engage in self-care this semester!

  • What? Wellness Package Giveaway
  • How to participate? We want to hear some of the ways you have been taking care of your self this semester. Or if you have been having trouble prioritizing your wellbeing, how you plan to do so moving forward. Complete Wellness Package Giveaway Form sharing how you prioritize wellness on or off campus for a chance to win a Wellness Package.
  • When to participate? The Wellness Package Giveaway Form will be live from Monday, February 13 to Friday, February 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm.
  • What is the Prize? We have 30 packages to gift to Trinity students. The Wellness Packages have been assembled by Logan and Finley an eco-friendly general store in Toronto. If you win a Wellness Packages, it will be mailed directly to you!
On-campus Resources

We know it might be difficult to figure out what resources are the right fit for you and what you’re experiencing. We’ve provided with a list of on-campus resources that you can access. If you need support in connect with these resources, or if you have any questions about them, please connect with Ramata, Rae, or Missy!

Health and Wellness – health and mental health support

You can call Health and Wellness and book an appointment for health or mental health care at any time. To make an appointment for health or mental health support follow this link – book an appointment with Health and Wellness. This link directs you to their booking page and has further information on how to book an appointment.

Trinity’s On-site Counsellor

Trinity has an On-site Counsellor – Paula – who is available to connect with Trinity students requiring short term counselling. To book an appointment with Paula, call Health and Wellness – link to book an appointment – and ask for an appointment with Trinity’s On-site Counsellor.

24/7 Phone Counselling Lines

You can also explore counselling over the phone! Here are some numbers and resources:

  • My SSP: This is a phone/chat program that is available 24/7. They provide culturally-competent mental health and counseling services in 146 languages for all U of T students.
  • Good2Talk: Another 24/7 professional counseling, information and referrals helpline for mental health, addictions and students’ well-being. You can call them at 1-866-925-5454.

Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre helps and support students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who have been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment. The Centre can assist folks to understand, access and navigate supports such as counselling, medical services, academic or workplace accommodations, financial aid and legal aid. The Centre also works to end sexual violence on campus through training and education. We encourage you to reach out to the Centre if you have questions or need support.

Anti Racism and Cultural Diversity Office

The Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) provides services to support University members in their efforts to foster environments that are intentionally racially diverse and inclusive through the advancement of equitable practices, education and training and the provision of complaints resolution supports on matters of race, faith and intersecting identities as guided by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this message! We wish you the best of luck during the final half of the semester. We encourage you to take care of yourself and reach out to the Wellness team if you need help or support.

Ramata, Rae and Missy

Ramata Tarawally, RN, MN (she/her)
Director, Community Wellness
Dean of Students’ Office

 

Categories: Student News