{"id":63451,"date":"2020-01-22T14:12:12","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T19:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=63451"},"modified":"2020-01-22T14:54:32","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T19:54:32","slug":"brock-on-board-for-bell-lets-talk-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2020\/01\/brock-on-board-for-bell-lets-talk-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock on board for\u00a0Bell Let\u2019s Talk\u00a0Day\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite an increasing awareness of mental health issues, a stigma continues to exist.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Bell Let\u2019s Talk Day approaches on Wednesday, Jan. 29, Brock University is undertaking\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>everal initiatives that will put mental health in the spotlight and engage students, faculty and staff to join the ongoing conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beginning this week in\u00a0<\/span>DeCew<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Lowenberger<\/span>\u00a0residence dining halls, students are encouraged to\u00a0<\/span>colour<\/span>\u00a0murals adorned with mandalas and write\u00a0<\/span>how they destress on\u00a0<\/span>sticky notes. The murals and notes will be used on Bell Let\u2019s Talk Day as part of a larger awareness initiative.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Free breakfast and cupcakes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bell Let\u2019s Talk Day will kick off at 7:30 a.m. <\/span>in Isaac\u2019s Bar and Grill<\/span>\u00a0with a free hot breakfast provided by the Brock University Students\u2019 Union (BUSU). Students who paid the BUSU fee will be treated to eggs, sausage,\u00a0<\/span>pancakes, French\u00a0<\/span>toast\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>home fries until 10 a.m. or when food runs out. BUSU will also be handing out free cupcakes<\/span>\u00a0in Isaac\u2019s<\/span> from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During both giveaways, students will have the opportunity to write positive mental health messages on Bell Let\u2019s Talk speech bubbles and learn more about how BUSU\u2019s contributions improve mental health at Brock.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paws Room\u00a0and massages\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) will be hosting the popular\u00a0<\/span>Paws\u00a0<\/span>Room from 10 a.m. to noon\u00a0<\/span>in Pond Inlet<\/span>. Students, staff and faculty members are welcome to pop in to visit with therapy dogs from\u00a0<\/span>Therapaws<\/span>\u00a0of Canada. Mini massages will also be available in Pond Inlet from 1 to 5 p.m.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balloon frame photo ops, conversation caf\u00e9 and free treats\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Market Hall, representatives from SWAC, Student Life and Community Experience, and Human Resources will be handing out free coffee, tea, snacks and support resources from noon to 3:30 p.m. An oversized blue and white picture frame made of balloons will be set up for photo opportunities<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and passersby will be encouraged to\u00a0<\/span>write positive mental health messages on speech bubbles for display on a nearby wall.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, SWAC will be launching Reach Out, a new campaign\u00a0<\/span>funded by BUSU that educates students about mental health distress signs, conversation starters and listening techniques. A conversation caf\u00e9 will offer an opportunity for people to ask questions about mental health and\u00a0<\/span>learn how\u00a0<\/span>to refer students at risk.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Across campus at the International Centre,\u00a0<\/span>ESL<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Services\u00a0<\/span>will\u00a0<\/span>be hosting an\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>nformation and games booth set up next to Noodles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mug decorating, Instax photo booth and destress stickies\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Department of Residences is hosting a mug decorating event from\u00a0<\/span>2 to 5 p.m. in\u00a0<\/span>DeCew<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Lowenberger<\/span>\u00a0dining halls. Students will be encouraged to write positive quotes and messages on mugs they can keep.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A photo booth display featuring student-<\/span>coloured<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mandala murals<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>balloons and props will also be set up in both residence dining halls from\u00a0<\/span>2 to 5 p.m. Instax cameras, balloons and props will be available for students to take instant film photos of themselves in front of the murals.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students will also be encouraged to take sticky notes with tips from other students on how to de<\/span>–<\/span>stress.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Badgers games and fan giveaways\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brock\u2019s Bell Let\u2019s Talk initiatives continue into the evening at the Brock Badgers basketball games against York University. The women\u2019s team tips off at 6 p.m.\u00a0<\/span>in the Bob Davis Gym<\/span>nasium<\/span>, f<\/span>ollowed by the men<\/span>\u2019s te<\/span>a<\/span>m a<\/span>t 8 p.m.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the games begin, fans can take photos with a large balloon frame and write positive messages on a banner set up at a table in the hallway outside of the gym. During the game, attendees will receive free Bell Let\u2019s Talk inflatable noisemakers and a\u00a0<\/span>have a\u00a0<\/span>chance to win free giveaways, including Bell Let\u2019s Talk winter hats during a toque toss.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Movie night with cookie and cupcake decorating\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Department of Residences will be hosting a movie night beginning at 8 p.m. in Earp Fireplace Lounge. Popcorn and snacks will be provided, a<\/span>s well as cupcakes and cookies for students to decorate.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#BellLetsTalk\u00a0social media initiatives\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Brock community is encouraged to share photos on s<\/span>ocial media with the #<\/span>BellLetsTalk<\/span>\u00a0and #<\/span>BrockU<\/span>\u00a0hashtags. For every tweet sent on Wednesday, Jan. 29 with the #<\/span>BellLetsTalk<\/span>\u00a0hashtag, Bell will donate five cents to mental health initiatives. Bell will also donate five cents every time:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n