With darker days, colder weather and busy Winter Term schedules, Brock’s Health Management and Wellness team is reminding employees that it’s important to connect with support networks and well-being resources.

“Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, feel and behave,” says Brock Health Management and Wellness (HSW) Manager Martina Ciglenecki. “A concern may be present when changes in thinking, feeling or behaving cause distress or disrupt a person’s ability to function. By getting to know your colleagues, friends and family, you will be able to recognize signs of change or distress.”

While diagnosis and treatment are reserved for medical professionals only, Ciglenecki says, support systems can play an important role in an individual seeking care.

“We encourage you to know your own baseline, and that of your colleagues, and make ‘checking in’ part of our culture,” she says.

Brock faculty and staff have access to a range of employee and community well-being resources.

Employees with Telus Health eligibility through a Brock benefits plan are invited to take part in one of two online public orientations to learn more about the platform. A session for employees will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25 and a session for managers will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1

Employees who have long-term disability coverage with Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan can access the FeelingBetterNow Program and are encouraged to review an instructional video for information on how to access the service.

Additional or more specific resources can be discussed with the HNW team at employeehealth@brocku.ca

For in-person support, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Niagara offers drop-in counselling options. Visit the CMHA Niagara website for details.

Brock also offers a variety of wellness and mental health supports for students.