McMaster Student Wellness Centre
PGCLL 201/210, 1280 Main Street West L8S 4L8 Hamilton, ON, Canada

The event will take place on December 1st from 7-8 PM! You and your friend have decided to get away from the city and take a road trip up north to your family’s cabin! . The snowstorm has unfortunately trapped you inside after a long night of board games and a little too much wine Will you be able to escape? Come out to test your knowledge on binge-drinking and substance use for a chance to win 1 of 3 Amazon Gift card prizes! SIGN UP LINK (must sign up by Nov 30th @ 11:59PM): https://forms.gle/AsjrCSSow6RAUFJG9

There are still a few spots available for our upcoming Bike Repair Workshop with New Hope Community Bikes November 25, 7-9pm! Don't miss out on this free workshop (deposit refunded upon attendance). https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bike-repair-workshop-mcmaster-s

We want to hear from you! Complete the survey in our bio about how COVID-19 has affected your wellness, and be entered to win 1 of 5 $25 gift cards to Amazon! Your answers will remain anonymous, you will be asked for contact information at the end of the initial survey. http://ow.ly/t9WC50CmZIt Note: if you filled out the survey yesterday and weren't prompted for contact info, please message us and we will enter you into the raffle.

LivingWorks Start is offering a limited number of registrations to McMaster students at no cost! Visit the link below if you are interested in receiving suicide prevention training: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/livingworks-start/

Living with others can be difficult, it's important to know how to navigate difficult conversations and conflict when they arise. Visit the link below to read about addressing conflict between housemates. http://ow.ly/Mf0R50CjULR

Hey McMaster! The Student Wellness Centre would like to wish you their best during this confusing time. Our mental health wellness outreach team is excited to introduce their upcoming initiative: MacSecrets! MacSecrets is an anonymous campaign that allows students to have an outlet to share their emotions, struggles, and advice. The goal of this initiative is to show students that they are not alone and give them a place to safely (and anonymously) share their feelings. ... We welcome you to check out the submission link https://cutt.ly/macsecrets. Submissions to be shared must be submitted by November 19th at 11:59pm. Over the next couple weeks, we will also be showcasing different submissions from members of our team. We hope that this will give you a better understanding of what MacSecrets really is, and what an initiative like this strives to do. So, stay tuned!

McMaster Pen Pals is a new way to make friends and stay connected! The deadline to sign up is November 16th at 5PM! Sign up here: http://ow.ly/EYXJ50Cco8y

Join us in the virtual Wellness Lounge from 2PM-3PM on Tuesday September 22 for an hour of fun, friends, and Scattergories! Register here: https://mcmaster.zoom.us//tJ0pfuyrpzgsGtHwSmz1W9BWWsx6aX4L

The BIPOC Resilience & Peer Support program will begin to run every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 AM, starting this week. This program offers a virtual safe community where black, Indigenous and People of Colour can share their voices and uplift one another. Registration ends tomorrow afternoon-visit our program page for more information. https://wellness.mcmaster.ca//bipoc-resilience-and-peer-s/

In honor of World Suicide Prevention Day The SWC has partnered with LivingWorks; the world leader in suicide prevention training solutions. With funding support from Alumni, were offering 100 free spots to McMaster Students. Youll learn a powerful four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide, and youll have a chance to practice it with impactful simulations. https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/livingworks-start/

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for our first cooking session of the year! The event will run on September 16th from 6:30-8:00 PM. No experience needed! On the menu is a grain salad! If youre interested, check out the link below and register. https://wellness.mcmaster.ca//food-for-thought-cooking-cl/

Our connections to many people in our lives are distanced and virtual these days. Yet, people remain connected through food, as it is vital part of our individual identities, as well as our collective communities. Whether its the joy of prepping ones homegrown veggies and herbs, the pride making a time-honoured family recipe, or the adventurous rush of making a special dish for the first time, food is deeply intwined within our social lives. Whats your food story? Check out his video by the Food Collective Centre! #PantryDiaries #FoodLove

University introduces new commitments, and your well-being can be one of them. The SWC is committed to providing students the support they need during their time at McMaster. This Mental Health Resource booklet is comprised of valuable insight, anecdotes, reflections and resources. Welcome to the new school year, and remember to take care Mac. Heres the link to the full resource: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca//uplo/2020/09/TakeCareMac.pdf

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. Misusing prescribed opioids (painkillers) or taking street opioids can lead to addiction, overdose and even death. Know the risks: ontario.ca/ds97

The Student Wellness Center (SWC) offers a variety of services, support and programing to McMaster Students. Swipe through to learn more about what the SWC offers or visit our website for more information, link our bio. @ McMaster Student Wellness Centre

Four days left to apply!

August is National immunization awareness month. The MSU health insurance plan covers 80% of most vaccines! Check with your medical provider to learn whats recommended for you, such as vaccination for meningitis, HPV or other routine vaccines. #NIAM

The Student Wellness Center will be closed at 2:30 today Wednesday the 19th August due to issues out of our control. If you have an existing appointment and it has not been cancelled, you will still be contacted by your health care provider by phone or webex as organized. Please refer to our crisis and emergency resource page if you are in distress for urgent or emergent medical or mental health care. ... https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/crisis-support/ https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/crisis-support/ See more

Masks are mandatory in all McMaster buildings. During August free masks are being provided to those who do not have a face covering at the following locations, Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m : 1)The COMPASS desk in MUSC (McMaster Student Centre) 2) The lobby of John Hodgins Engineering Building (JHE)... Stay safe and #wearamask !

Did you know 75% of young adults will contract HPV in their lifetime, increasing their risk to cancer despite having an available vaccine to reduce risk! We encourage you to watch through the HPV webinar and complete the pre and post-surveys. Click the link below!

Despite things re-opening, its important to continue practicing good hygiene. Wash & sanitize your hands, clean frequently touched areas in your house like door knobs and avoid touching your face! #staysafe #washyourhands #covd19 graphic by @unitednations

The SWC will be closed on Monday, August 3rd for the Civic Holiday. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, August 4th. Enjoy the long weekend!

It feels like we have been living in the wake of COVID-19 forever! Dont lose hope, Hamilton has entered phase 3 of re-opening which means gyms, theatres and dine-in restaurants are now available to the public, with limited capacity. Use this mantra today to motivate yourself to do the best you can do today, and carry that into tomorrow. #staysafe #phase3 #motivationmonday graphic: @unitednations

Letters of Support A call for letters to promote a sense of connection and solidarity among McMaster students with shared experience Visit https://svpro.m...cmaster.ca/lea/campaigns/letters-of-support/ to learn more about sharing your own letter. This is a collaborative initiative with the MSU peer support services: MSU Maccess MSU Pride Community Centre - PCC MSU Student Health Education Centre - SHEC MSU Women and Gender Equity Network - WGEN.

Check out the Mad Pride Tea Party happening this Saturday, July 18th hosted by Maccess. Grab your wackiest hat, brew a fresh pot of tea, and join for an afternoon of casual conversation about madness, mental health, neurodiversity, accessibility, Mad Pride, the Mad Movement, and more!

A new webinar is live on our website! This webinar is designed to give students and student-aged young people knowledge about what HPV is and how the vaccine can prevent at least six types of cancers from forming. To learn more visit the link below: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/did-you-know-hpv/

A long overdue garden update Our community garden on campus has been flourishing with last weeks heat wave, ready to be abundant in fruits and veggies in the next coming weeks. Limited food shares will be available this week (with a small assortment of items) for pick up between 9:30 - 10am on Friday. Email [email protected] if you would like a share this week and are available to pick up the items at that time! We will send you an email confirmation! @ McMaster University

RSPV to this upcoming Panel & chat hosted by NYAC all about masculinity, mental health and coping!

New event! Its important to talk about Mental illness. This is what the upcoming TAMI online lectures are striving to do. Check out the 4 speakers who are joining CMHA Hamilton and sharing stories about hope and healing during COVID-19. Swipe to learn about the guest speakers!

Learn more about how to navigate online appointments and and our COVID-19 protocol in our new FAQ! Feel free to reach out with more questions! https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/navigating-virtual-appointmen/

The SWC is offering a new program beginning on Friday, July 10th from 11:30-12:20 PM! This program offers a (virtual) safe space reserved for BIPOC students to participate through facilitated discussion and peer support. This program will be offered weekly on a drop-in basis, but pre-registration is required to obtain a link. For more information visit our website ,or to register email Aklima Sarkar at [email protected] https://wellness.mcmaster.ca//bipoc-resilience-and-peer-s/

Appointments during the afternoon of June 29, 2020 are cancelled due to an unplanned power outage at McMaster as all services are down.

The Student Wellness Center will be closed for the Canada Day Holiday from July 1st- July 3rd. Enjoy your holiday and stay safe Marauders!

Between June 29 and July 9, 2020, the City of Hamilton is hosting five virtual public engagement sessions for the Hate Mitigation & Prevention initiative general public, racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+ and faith leaders. To learn more about the online survey or to register for a session, visit hamilton.ca/hatemitigation

On Saturday, June 13, from 2:00-3:00pm, Student open circle is hosting a panel of young people sharing personal experiences in Ghana, Germany, Pakistan, Taiwan, and more during COVID-19 and how they have remained resilient during this time. You will also hear about how Student Open Circles is meeting needs of McMaster students, adults with disabilities, at-risk youth, and isolated seniors during the pandemic and have a chance to interact with current students and board members. To register for this event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/covid19-perspectives-from-aroun

The Equity and Inclusion office is providing an online space to listen, share thoughts and be present with one another. Conversation will explore self care, advocacy and the impact of our anti-Black experiences. *Open only to Black-identified students. To register or for more information, please email: Tolulope Ojo at [email protected] from your McMaster e-mail address and include: Black Student Virtual Check-In [First name, Last name] in the subject line.

Black lives matter. We are listening and always here to support you. #blackouttuesday

Dr. Nathan Cooper is hosting this weeks Walk in Nature session. This weeks meeting takes place on Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 with the theme of flowers. Go on a walk and observe any flowers you may see, and then join our zoom meeting for a de-brief and conversation surrounding nature and mindfulness. For more information check out the Walk in Nature sessions on our website.

Our food shares that went out this week, so heres a simple recipe that uses all of the ingredients. Stay tuned throughout the next couple of weeks for more cooking videos! If you make the recipe, send us a photo and share your creation!