Let’s create real change. That’s the theme of the 2024 nationwide Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign, which has brought awareness to the stigma around mental illness since 2010.
On January 24 and every day throughout the year, Bell Let’s Talk encourages Canadians to take meaningful action in mental health. The campaign asks everyone to play a role and provides practical examples of ways to create change in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
Starting on Jan. 24 and continuing through February, Niagara College is hosting opportunities for students to talk about their mental health and participate in activities that focus on their overall wellbeing. The College is also reminding both students and employee of the supports and services available to them through Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (students) and Homewood Health (employees).
Knights volleyball games – Bell Let’s Talk and seniors night
The NC Knights volleyball games on Jan. 24 will be held in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day to honour and promote the awareness campaign around mental health and fighting stigma.
The Knights will face off against the Redeemer Royals, with the women’s match beginning at 6 p.m. and men’s at 8 p.m. at the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre (Welland Campus). The games are free for students and $5 for public admission. All ages are welcome. The evening will also celebrate NC’s graduating student athletes.
“We are always excited to support Bell Let’s Talk Day,” said Michele O’Keefe, Director, Athletics and Student Engagement. “We know how important mental health services are and to remove the stigma. Athletics and activity are the best medicine.”
Videos featuring student-athletes talking about their mental health will be played at the games, while Bell Let’s Talk speech bubbles will be available for fans in attendance to write messages on and post on the gym wall. Swag from the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign will also be given out that night.
A big night ahead as our volleyball teams host the Redeemer Royals for Senior Night and Bell Let’s Talk Day! #goknights 🏐 pic.twitter.com/iWdz6xexQU
— Niagara College Knights (@NC_Knights) January 24, 2024
HWAS Conversation Café
NC’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) will be hosting a Conversation Café on Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Applied Health (AH) Lobby.
The Café will provide a space for students to chat with HWAS nurses and counsellors, who will highlight resources and offer activities to start important dialogues about mental health. Complimentary treats and hot chocolate, and Bell Let’s Talk swag will be available for students who pop by.
“We encourage students to come by the Conversation Café on Bell Let’s Talk Day to talk about their mental health with our staff,” said Christine Philbrick, College Nurse, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services. “Engaging in these conversations in a welcoming and safe space is an important opportunity for students to think about their mental health and overall wellbeing.”
Wellbeing Month kicks off January 29
Students can also look forward to NC’s Wellbeing Month, an initiative led by HWAS in collaboration with multiple college areas including, Athletics and Student Engagement, School of Culinary Arts, Enrolment Services (Financial Aid), Indigenous Education, International, NCSAC and more.
With three weeks of programming from January 29 to February 16, Wellbeing Month will include a variety of events and workshops at both NC campuses. Using a wholistic approach, each week will feature a different theme, to help students learn how to support their overall wellbeing.
Week of Jan. 29: Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health
Week of Feb. 5: Family and Financial Health
Week of Feb. 12: Physical and Social Health
Visit the Wellbeing Month calendar of events and stay tuned for further details on InsideNC.
Supports for students
NC’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services offers a range of student support services, including confidential and free counselling sessions. To book an appointment, students can:
- Visit W102 (Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake) or AH125 (Welland Campus)
- Call 905-735-2211 ext. 7778 (Welland Campus) or 905-641-2252 ext. 4409 (Daniel J. Patterson Campus)
- Email [email protected]
All NC students (international and domestic) can access guard.me’s Keep.meSAFE program. Keep.meSAFE is a multilingual, culturally sensitive and gender inclusive, mental wellness student support program offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Download the free TELUS Health Student Support app (formerly known as the My SSP app) to chat or call
- Call 1.844.451.9700 (or 001.416.380.6578 from outside North America)
- Visit keepmesafe.org to chat
Good2Talk is a mental health line for students in college/university. It is a free, province-wide service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, that provides professional counselling, mental health information and connections to local resources. Students who are concerned about student life, health or mental well-being can call Good2Talk.
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: good2talk.ca
- Phone: 1-866-925-5454
- Text: Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
Additional community mental health resources are listed on the HWAS website here.
Support for employees
Over their careers, we recognize that many NC employees will juggle their work with challenges and stressful events in their personal lives. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is available when you need support. EFAP is available for immediate family members of NC employees as well.
Through Homewood Health, the EFAP is a professional, confidential, and proactive service to support you with a wide range of personal, family, and work-related concerns. Services are completely confidential and offered face-to-face, over the phone, through video or online.
The program can help you navigate personal challenges such as relationship concerns, family or parenting issues, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, coping with health issues, or work-related challenges.
Crisis support is available 24 hours, seven days a week at 1-800-663-1142.
Homeweb offers interactive tools, health and wellness assessments, child and elder care resource locators, and a library of health, life balance, and workplace articles.
To sign in to Homeweb for curated information and online bookings, follow the sign up prompts, enter company name as Niagara College, and enter invitation code NC4321.
Visit the HR website to learn more: www.niagaracollege.ca/humanresources/employees/efap/
Libraries and Learning Commons
NC’s Libraries and Learning Commons has curated a mental health subject guide available to students, faculty and staff. Access the guide below:
Mental Health Awareness – Campus Mental Health Resources
