With mental health top of mind, Brock University is planning a week filled with employee activities that promote relaxation and resilience.

Brock’s Health Management and Wellness team, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), invites employees to participate in Mental Health Week from Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 5.

“The planned activities include both in-person and virtual offerings,” says Martina Ciglenecki, Manager, Health Management and Wellness. “The past three years were comprised exclusively of virtual offerings. We are very excited to offer a hybrid model of activities for our eighth annual Mental Health Week.”

The weeklong schedule of lunchtime events is intended to promote relaxation and resilience while also working to eliminate the stigma of mental illness in a workplace setting.

Mental Health Week kicks off with the return of the PAWS Room by Therapeutic Paws of Canada. Employees can reduce stress by interacting with therapy dog teams on Monday, May 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Pond Inlet.

A virtual Resiliency at Work seminar on Tuesday, May 2 will provide participants with an understanding of the different components that contribute to resiliency and show them how they can thrive under pressure. The instructor-led training session with TELUS Health takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Participants are asked to register in advance through ExperienceBU.

This year’s event includes the return of the barbecue luncheon on Wednesday, May 3 at noon in Jubilee Court. Hosted by Aramark, a portion of the proceeds of each $13-ticket sold will be donated to the CMHA – Niagara branch. Employees must RSVP through ExperienceBU before 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, and payment will be made in cash at the event.

The Brock community is also encouraged to wear green Wednesday, May 3 in recognition of Mental Health Week and Brock’s Schmon Tower will be illuminated in green the same evening in support of mental health awareness.

On Thursday, May 4, John Dick, Brock’s Manager, Grounds Services, is leading a lunchtime walk to explore lesser-known plants found on campus for aspiring and avid gardeners. Participants will receive the meeting location after registering on ExperienceBU.

The week wraps up with virtual training from The Working Mind on Friday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The education-based program is designed to address and promote mental health and reduce the stigma of mental illness in a workplace setting. Those who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

In addition to attending events throughout the week, employees are encouraged to share random acts of kindness notes on the chalkboard wall across from the Brock Card office in Thistle Complex.

“The theme of this year’s CMHA Mental Health week is ‘My Story,’” says Ciglenecki. “We all have stories of what we’ve experienced and those we have helped. One way we are encouraging the Brock community to participate in ‘My Story’ is by posting random acts of kindness notes onto the Thistle Chalkboard to generate further discussion and continue to foster a culture rooted in kindness, empathy and care.”

To register for a Mental Health Week activity or to stay up to date on all employee Health, Safety and Wellness events, visit ExperienceBU.