Niagara College’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) department, the NC Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), and NC Athletics and Recreation, have teamed up to provide students with a full day of virtual activities on Thursday, January 28 in honour of Bell Let’s Talk Day.
From meditation and yoga to coffee chats and online games, the lineup provides students with opportunities for social connection and sessions that promote mental wellness.
“Participating in Bell Let’s Talk Day provides another opportunity for our team to support students and their mental wellness as they look for ways to reduce stress and find balance in their lives,” said Michelle MacIntosh, a counsellor in NC’s HWAS department who is offering two meditation sessions for students on January 28.
MacIntosh will also join NCSAC president Tom Price for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) Instagram Live event on Wednesday, January 27 at 12:30 p.m. The AMA will spark conversation around mental health and wellness, highlight the services provided by HWAS, and promote the various student activities planned for Bell Let’s Talk Day. Join the conversation on NCSAC’s Instagram @yourncsac.
Bell Let’s Talk Day activities – Thursday, January 28
7:30 a.m. – Meditation with Michelle MacIntosh
This morning meditation session is for anyone interested in an easy way to start their day off mindfully. Michelle MacIntosh from NC’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services will guide students through two short meditations and discuss the benefits of a simple meditation practice. Join the meditation on Instagram Live @yourncsac.
10:00 a.m. – Drumming and Coffee Chats with Wellness Peers
NC Wellness Peer Natalie Blueraven will be singing and drumming songs to uplift and soothe our Spirit, while giving gratitude for Mother Earth. All are welcome to join, with good hearts and minds. Following her drumming session, Natalie will say a few words about NC’s Peer Wellness Program and invite students to join her on Zoom for coffee and/or a chat. Experience the drumming session via Instagram Live @yourncsac. For students interested in joining a coffee chat, a Zoom link is available on the NCSAC events calendar.
12:30 p.m. – Yoga with Amanda from Athletics and Rec
Take a lunch break and participate in a relaxing yoga session with Amanda Gregory from NC Athletics and Recreation. Join the session via Instagram Live @yourncsac.
1:00 p.m. – KORU Meditation with Michelle MacIntosh
Michelle MacIntosh from NC’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services will guide students through a KORU meditation class. The KORU program teaches mindfulness and helps students learn to live with less stress and to manage life more effectively. Join the meditation via Blackboard Collaborate using the following link: ca.bbcollab.com/guest/977e2fecaa52434aad5d998211e497cc
6:00 p.m. – Kahoot with Wellness Peers
Join NC’s Wellness Peers to enjoy a quiz-based game of Kahoot via Zoom. Prizes will also be up for grabs! A Zoom link is available for students on the NCSAC events calendar.
7:00 p.m. – E-Sports Tournament: Among Us
The E-Sports Tournament is a weekly campus-versus-campus online gaming tournament. The Jan. 28 edition of the tournament will run as a Bell Let’s Talk Night. Students can find the registration link on the NCSAC events calendar.
Since 2010, the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign has raised awareness about mental health and funds for mental health initiatives in Canada. This year, Bell will donate more by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view and use of their Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.
On January 28, members of the NC community will turn to social media to share supportive messages in honour of the campaign and to remind all NC Knights that we are #NCTogether. Watch NC’s social channels for messages, photos and videos using #BellLetsTalk.
With many individuals facing additional hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services wants to remind all NC students that they continue to offer supports virtually.
“The HWAS team knows how challenging things have been for our students and we want students to know that we are here to support them,” said MacIntosh.
Mental health and counselling services, resiliency, mindfulness and meditation classes, and a suite of other services are available online to help support the emotional, physical and academic wellbeing of students as they navigate student life and more.
For a full list of services provided by HWAS, visit: niagaracollege.ca/studentlife/hwas/
We are Knights. We are strong, but sometimes we're not. Sometimes we struggle & sometimes we suffer in silence. But now, more than ever, we need to speak up.
On #BellLetsTalk day, let's start a conversation around #mentalhealth. Remember, you are not alone, we are #NCTogether. pic.twitter.com/lo43eEmj6r
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) January 27, 2021
