Mental Health Week dedicated to creating positive atmosphere

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Students can face a lot of pressure and stress in their academic and personal lives as they try to balance numerous stressors including deadlines, loneliness, tuition costs, exams, anxiety and more.

Current studies indicate the three most common factors affecting academic performance are stress, sleep difficulties and anxiety. The Students’ Association wants to help change that for Red Deer College students so it will be hosting a number of Mental Health related events throughout the coming months.

The upcoming Mental Health Week, a week dedicated to stress reduction and creating a positive atmosphere in which mental health can be explored and enhanced, is the first of these events. Mental Health Week activities will be taking place November 23 to 27.

Mental Health Week is full of diverse activities designed to raise awareness and to give students a break from the hectic end-of-term rush.

Activities include:
• Monday, November 23
– Pledge to Fight Stigma: Sign the pledge and stand up to stigma surrounding mental wellness and mental illness.
– Stick Stigma activity
• Tuesday, November 24
– Tea Talk: Sit, relax, have some tea and make some new friends.
– Craft Table: Take a break and unwind while creating something.
• Wednesday, November 25
– Oxygen Bar & Music in the Forum: Take a deep breath and revitalize with music.
– Free lunch in the Forum: Two words – comfort food.
• Thursday, November 26
– I Respect campaign: What do you respect? Take time to express it.
– Craft Table: Let your creative side free.
• Friday, November 27
– Free continental-style breakfast in the Far Side.        – Masquerade Party: Unmask stigma and celebrate mental health in the Far Side. Admission is $5 at the door  (free with a food bank donation)

The initiative
In 2013-2014, the Students’ Association introduced a Mental Health Initiative aimed at promoting a positive atmosphere at Red Deer College in which mental health can be explored and enhanced. The initiative will bring mental health information to the forefront for students, with the objective of helping the campus community identify the role of mental health in an individual’s well-being.

The initiative is supported by funding from the Alberta Campus Mental Health Initiative Fund (ACMHI).