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Niagara College hosts Let’s Talk volleyball games for Bell Let’s Talk Day

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Mental health awareness will be served up at Niagara College on January 30.

The NC Let’s Talk volleyball matches will be held in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 30 to honour and promote the nationwide awareness campaign around mental health and fighting stigma. The NC Knights volleyball programs will face off against the Mohawk Mountaineers, with the women’s match beginning at 6 p.m. and men’s at 8 p.m. The games are free for students and $5 for public admission. All ages are welcome.

Beginning at noon, activities for students in support of mental health will be held in the Let’s Talk Lounge at both the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses. The main events – held at the Welland Campus – are co-hosted by NC’s Athletics and Recreation, and Student Administrative Council (SAC). The Let’s Talk Lounge will take place in the lobby outside of The Shack at the Welland Campus. A Let’s Talk Lounge will also be set up at the NOTL Campus in the Glass activity room, N002, hosted by the NC Talks student club.

“Bell Let’s Talk Day is a cause we can all rally behind at Niagara College,” said Michele O’Keefe,
associate director, Athletics and Recreation. “Conversations around support for mental health are at the forefront of our campus, and Athletics and Recreation is excited to work with SAC to create a friendly, barrier-free environment to foster dialogue that includes a volleyball double header in the evening. It will be a great day.”

Decked out in blue and white and sure to be bustling with activity, lobby of The Shack will be turned into the Let’s Talk Lounge with sofas and tables in the lead up to the game, a space for students to engage with campus and community partners on mental health resources. Staff from Counselling Services will be on-hand to meet students in an open, informal and comfortable setting. Free coffee will be served.

“Being responsive and proactive to the mental health needs of our students means ensuring support is visible and accessible to students. Events like these highlight the many resources available to students and encourages open dialogue – both of which help foster a positive learning environment for our students,” said Lianne Gagnon, director of Student Services, Niagara College.

The day’s events at Welland will include a visit from the Therapy Tails, a non-profit dog therapy program sure to boost spirits with their wagging tails and calming presence. In the days leading up to the event, students have been filling out thought bubbles with uplifting messages, words of wisdom, and affirmations for their fellow students. The thought bubbles will make up a large NC display to be showcased in the gym on game day.

“Post secondary institutions like Niagara College have become pillars of advocacy in support of mental health and breaking the stigma, working together to drive important conversations and make change,” said Ryan Huckla, SAC president. “SAC supports mental health campaigns like this because it’s important to our membership and the college community. As an advocate and a community partner, we want to ensure students know they have someone in their corner cheering them on, always.”

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell Canada will donate to mental health initiatives in Canada, by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet (#BellLetsTalk), social media video view and use of their Facebook frame or Snapchat filter. For more information about Bell Let’s Talk Day visit letstalk.bell.ca/en

NC Let’s Talk Lounge, Welland Campus (lobby, The Shack):

12 noon – 4 p.m. Student Health Services staff available to chat with students
12 noon – 2 p.m. Therapy Tails
2 – 4 p.m. – NC TRAC (Niagara College Therapeutic Recreation Activity Centre) self-care cards activity

NC Let’s Talk Lounge, NOTL Campus (Glass activity room, N002):

12 noon – 4 p.m. NC Talks (student club) will have a lounge set up for students to learn about health and wellness services, participate in a survey, hang out with other students and do therapeutic colouring activities.

NC Let’s Talk Game Schedule:

6 p.m. – Women’s match
8 p.m. –  Men’s match

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