Mental Health Month raises awareness

With a new school year comes the usual host of class-related pressures (“assignments on syllabi are closer than they appear,” anyone?). With this, many students may be faced with the additional pressure of mental health issues. October is named Mental Health Month by the World Health Organization, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH), who have also designated October 2nd to 8th Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Different events are held in October which are all aimed at exploring, explaining, and caring for one’s mental health. The most notable is MindFest: a day-long event at Hart House that offers a packed schedule of programming on October 5th. A keynote speaker is Toronto-based author Camilla Gibb, whose segment is titled “This is Happy.” Gibb’s autobiography of the same name explores her experience with both her own mental illness and that of her close family members.

Other noted speakers include: Scarborough Hospital CEO Robert Biron and educator and youth advocate Emily Wright, both of whom will be sharing their personal experiences with mental illness. A wide variety of interactive workshops are also offered—ranging from the active to the artistic: tai chi, yoga, improv, writing, painting, and Suminagashi (Japanese paper marbling). An hour-long mindfulness walk and finale celebration are followed by a film screening to conclude the day.

With programming from 9 AM and stretching into the late evening, the schedule is similar to a mentally beneficial Orientation Week event. Fest-goers can attend as little or as much as they would like.

Second-year Victoria College student Maia Kachan comments, “There seems to be a lot of events going on at the same time—it seems overwhelming,” and adds that many of the events appear to be targeted at a more mature audience than university students. Still, she says, “Having programming specifically concerning mental health and wellness and self care is really important.”

This positive attitude is echoed by Yasmine Hassen, VUSAC’s Equity Commissioner, who gave the following statement: “I think it’s sad that in today’s day and age, there is still such a large negative stigma in regards to mental health. I know that in a country like Canada, we have a lot of cultures and many of those cultures do not acknowledge mental illness even though it is a very prevalent issue that affects everyone… Going to a school like UofT, it’s not uncommon to come across severe stress and I think it’s very important to try and recognize in yourself how you deal with that stress and anxiety and talk to someone about it. Mental health is just as important as physical health and I think it’s about time that everyone starts treating it that way.” Vic’s annual mental health conference, “Minding Our Minds,” has historically occurred in October, as well.

The Victoria College Commuter Dons plan the majority of their events with student mental well-being in mind. Wellness Wednesdays, for example, offer weekly programming aimed at student success. Events such as the Art Café, which occurred on September 30, and an upcoming Poetry Fest on October 5th, are designed to give students opportunities to frequently engage in their creative sides as a way to relax and have a good time.

The UofT Health and Wellness Centre holds regular Mindful Moments Meditation sessions at the Athletic Centre Dance Studio, for those who would like to learn a structured method of achieving focus and relaxation. The Health and Wellness Centre also organizes Healthy Habit Mondays, where you can discuss healthy eating with a professional nutritionist, who will have a students’ lifestyle in mind.

There’s no shortage of events throughout October, and the rest of the year, aimed at promoting good mental health. Different types of events will have varying levels of successes with different individuals, as mental health is unique to the person.