Give your brain a break this week
This week is Mental Health and
Wellness Week at Fanshawe,
which means there are tons of
activities to help staff and students
relax, take a break and recharge
during this busy time of year.
On October 21, We Got Game will be taking over Forwell Hall, setting up a variety of video games available for free play from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tournaments from 6 to 9 p.m. According to VP Internal Ola Akinsara, who is helping to organize the events, “Video games are a great stress reliever,” so this is the perfect way to kick off a stress-reducing week.
On October 22, the Yellow Wall will be set up in Forwell Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We're going to stop students to ask them what made them happy today, what made them smile today,” Akinsara said. “It gives students a positive thought — ‘Out of all the bad things that happened to me, this made me smile, this made me laugh.'” The goal is to fill up the long black wall in Forwell with positive Post-It notes to spread smiles around Fanshawe.
On October 23, Andrew Johnston will give a hilarious anti-bullying presentation called It Gets The Best in Forwell Hall at noon. “He's a comedian who was bullied as a child...he grew up as the lone gay guy in his hometown,” said Kevin Masterson, supervisor of the Biz Booth, who organized this event. “It's an awesome presentation that has an anti-bullying message with a comedic flair.” You may recognize Johnston from MuchMusic's Video On Trial, Yuk Yuk's, or even Fanshawe's own Forwell Hall, where he has performed stand-up comedy several times.
On October 24, a Wellness Fair will be set up in F hallway and Forwell Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is the result of the Fanshawe Student Union, Fanshawe College and the Occupational Health and Safety department working together. Dozens of organizations will have tables set up in F hallway, including mental health website iCopeU, eating disorder support and resource centre Hope's Garden, the local YMCA, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre and the Middlesex London Health Unit. There will be prizes and plenty of swag given out.
“The Fair is aimed at promoting health and wellness and providing an opportunity for the students to learn about the different on-campus and community resources available to help them,” said campus life facilitator Jennifer Gillespie, an organizer of the event. “It's about promoting a healthy lifestyle.” The Fair will also include a Farmers Market outside in the SUB Courtyard, where local farmers will sell fresh fruits, vegetables and other good-for-you goodies.
That same day, there will also be a free Zumba class taught by an instructor from Fitness 101 held in Gym 1 from 12 to 1 p.m. Zumba is a fitness program that involves dancing and aerobics. “What better way to end a mental health awareness week than having a big zumba class? Everybody can get all happy and healthy,” said Akinsara.
“Mental health is an issue that a lot of students overlook ... it can be one of those things you put on the back burner,” Akinsara said. “It's definitely a good idea to bring awareness and get people learning more about mental health, and getting them positive and happy.”
On October 21, We Got Game will be taking over Forwell Hall, setting up a variety of video games available for free play from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tournaments from 6 to 9 p.m. According to VP Internal Ola Akinsara, who is helping to organize the events, “Video games are a great stress reliever,” so this is the perfect way to kick off a stress-reducing week.
On October 22, the Yellow Wall will be set up in Forwell Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We're going to stop students to ask them what made them happy today, what made them smile today,” Akinsara said. “It gives students a positive thought — ‘Out of all the bad things that happened to me, this made me smile, this made me laugh.'” The goal is to fill up the long black wall in Forwell with positive Post-It notes to spread smiles around Fanshawe.
On October 23, Andrew Johnston will give a hilarious anti-bullying presentation called It Gets The Best in Forwell Hall at noon. “He's a comedian who was bullied as a child...he grew up as the lone gay guy in his hometown,” said Kevin Masterson, supervisor of the Biz Booth, who organized this event. “It's an awesome presentation that has an anti-bullying message with a comedic flair.” You may recognize Johnston from MuchMusic's Video On Trial, Yuk Yuk's, or even Fanshawe's own Forwell Hall, where he has performed stand-up comedy several times.
On October 24, a Wellness Fair will be set up in F hallway and Forwell Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is the result of the Fanshawe Student Union, Fanshawe College and the Occupational Health and Safety department working together. Dozens of organizations will have tables set up in F hallway, including mental health website iCopeU, eating disorder support and resource centre Hope's Garden, the local YMCA, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre and the Middlesex London Health Unit. There will be prizes and plenty of swag given out.
“The Fair is aimed at promoting health and wellness and providing an opportunity for the students to learn about the different on-campus and community resources available to help them,” said campus life facilitator Jennifer Gillespie, an organizer of the event. “It's about promoting a healthy lifestyle.” The Fair will also include a Farmers Market outside in the SUB Courtyard, where local farmers will sell fresh fruits, vegetables and other good-for-you goodies.
That same day, there will also be a free Zumba class taught by an instructor from Fitness 101 held in Gym 1 from 12 to 1 p.m. Zumba is a fitness program that involves dancing and aerobics. “What better way to end a mental health awareness week than having a big zumba class? Everybody can get all happy and healthy,” said Akinsara.
“Mental health is an issue that a lot of students overlook ... it can be one of those things you put on the back burner,” Akinsara said. “It's definitely a good idea to bring awareness and get people learning more about mental health, and getting them positive and happy.”
