In recognition of Mental Health Week, Brock University is hosting a series of free events for employees next week.

Staff, faculty and librarians are invited to participate in a variety of virtual experiences organized by Brock’s Health Management team from Monday, May 2 to Friday, May 6.

The week kicks off with a virtual yoga session, followed by one seminar each day that focuses on topics such as emotional intelligence, self-compassion, humour and relaxation.

Martina Ciglenecki, Brock’s Health Management Consultant, describes mental health as a state of well-being that includes emotions, thoughts, feelings and how people manage life’s highs and lows.

She says Mental Health Week is a great opportunity for employees to add resources to their mental health tool kit and learn about mental health and illness.

“Much like physical health, everyone has mental health and it’s important to practise activities that will help improve our mental health, such as relaxation techniques and coping and resiliency strategies,” Ciglenecki says. “While everyone will experience challenges regarding their mental well-being, not everyone will experience a mental illness — disorders that complicate one’s mental health by affecting the way a person thinks, feels, acts or experiences with world.”

Brock’s Schmon Tower will be illuminated in green next week in support of mental health awareness. Employees are asked to wear green on Friday, May 8 and post a photo to the Employee Wellness Yammer group.

Brock employees are also encouraged to send notes of appreciation, acknowledgement or encouragement to their colleagues throughout the week via the Be Mindful online platform.

Mental health resources for Brock employees are available on the Health, Safety and Wellness Toolbox on SharePoint. The site includes information on LifeWorks, Brock’s employee and family assistance program provider, such as resources available through Brock’s benefit plans and LifeWorks wellness newsletters.

Additional resources will be available beginning Monday, May 2, when LifeWorks launches a new microsite about the ambiguous side of mental health.

Brock students seeking mental health and personal counselling support can access professional licensed counsellors 24-7 through the ‘My Student Support Program (My SPP)’ mobile app. Free and confidential real-time text chat and telephone support is available in five languages. More information is available on the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre website.

To learn more about the Mental Health Week events available for Brock employees, view the Mental Health Week calendar. Registration is required via ExperienceBU.

Questions can be emailed to employeehealth@brocku.ca