Post-secondary school can be exciting and full of opportunities – but it can also be overwhelming at times. Whether you’re adjusting to a new environment, juggling coursework and finances, or managing your mental health, it’s completely normal to face challenges along the way. The good news? You don’t have to face them alone. That’s where Peer Support comes in.

What is Peer Support?

Peer Support is emotional and social support offered between people who share a common lived experience — whether that’s navigating mental health challenges, coping with stress, or managing difficult life circumstances. It’s built on empathy, understanding, and shared experience — not judgment.

When you connect with a Peer Supporter, you’re talking to someone who gets it. They’ve faced similar struggles, learned ways to cope, and are now trained to listen and support others.

Why Connect with a Peer Supporter?

Talking to a Peer Supporter can:

• Reduce feelings of isolation
• Improve your mental well-being
• Enhance your academic success

When students feel supported, they’re more likely to stay engaged in their studies and reach their goals — including graduation.

Who Are Peer Supporters?

Peer Supporters are RRC Polytech students who have experienced their own mental health challenges or difficult life events, either personally or through a loved one. They’ve come through those experiences with greater resilience and have completed an 18-hour Peer Support training program to help them support others with compassion, understanding, and skill.

They’re not counsellors — they’re peers who listen, encourage, and walk alongside you as you navigate your own path to well-being.

Here’s what one of our Peer Supporters has to say about the program, “…the Peer Support Program offers a unique method of mental health support that is not clinical and provides tremendous opportunities for growth and community. Being a peer supporter allows me to help others in ways I wish I had when I was in crisis or generally struggling. Through training,  I’ve been able to learn many ways to offer support to not only others, but myself as well.”

Shianne Evoy, Early Childhood Education

How does Peer Support work?

• Students can browse the Peer Supporter profiles and choose to book an appointment with a peer they identify with.
• Appointments can take place in person or virtually.
• Peer supporters listen without judgement by using active listening and can help students feel validated.
• With ongoing support, the peer can help the student develop coping and self-advocacy skills and other strategies to navigate personal challenges and academics.

Take the Next Step

If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just need someone to talk to, reach out and make an appointment with a Peer Supporter. Sometimes, a simple conversation with someone who truly understands can make all the difference.

For more information or to book an appointment, click here.

Sources

Mental Health Innovations

CMHA – Campus Peer Support Program

Peer Connections Manitoba

World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10, 2025 is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a global moment to shift our conversations from crisis to compassion. With the national theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is leading this initiative, championing Indigenous life-promoting practices, community healing, and shared hope. Individuals and communities are encouraged to adopt hopeful and compassionate communication to elevate life promotion and decrease stigma around suicide.

How to get involved?

Virtual Event

On September 10, 2025, CASP will host a free virtual event (11:00–12:30 PM CST) titled “Indigenous Knowledge and Life Promotion: Changing Narratives on Suicide.” This powerful session will feature:

• Elder John Rice, a Third-Degree Member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society and Knowledge Holder at Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, who will weave traditional Indigenous teachings into suicide prevention.
• Métis scholar Lindsay DuPré, who will highlight how relationships with knowledge, grounded in Indigenous Science and lived experiences, can foster life promotion and well-being.

The event will close with a Global Candle Vigil—participants are invited to place a candle in their window at 8:00 PM local time to “Light a Flame of Hope” across time zones.

More information about the event and steps to register can be found HERE

In Person Event

Show your support for suicide prevention efforts, celebrate those who have died by suicide and strengthen our community and connections by joining the Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network and community partners on September 10 to honour World Suicide Prevention Day.

This year’s event is about changing the narrative on suicide and hearing stories. Those who have been touched by suicide in their lives, and all those who wish to engage in positive ways to improve their own mental health are encouraged to join us. Everyone is welcome.

Last year, we helped plant the Forest of Hope at Whittier Park. Come out to plant more trees, hear from speakers, be part of the Love Notes Campaign activities, rock painting, and reflection. Light refreshments will be provided.

When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Whittier Park: Forest of Hope, 836 Rue St. Joseph

On Campus Event

Visit the Campus Well-Being table on September 10 at NDC (11 am- 1 p) or September 11 at EDC (11:30 am – 1p) and learn how to start the conversation today. Every chat, no matter how small, builds a more supportive and understanding society. Together, we can make a difference and prioritize suicide prevention, ensuring everyone gets the help they need.

In Crisis or concerned for someone? Call or Text 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Hotline.

RRC Polytech Counselling offers Same Day Crisis Services during business hours.

Sources:

International Association for Suicide Prevention

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

As a new academic year begins, many students focus on setting goals, organizing schedules, and keeping up with coursework. While these are all important steps, there’s one area that often gets overlooked—mental health.

Prioritizing your mental health can help set you up for success not just in the classroom, but in every area of your life. Mental health isn’t only about the absence of stress or struggle—it’s about your ability to respond to challenges, bounce back when setbacks happen, and stay on course with your goals.

Tips for making mental health a priority:

1. Embrace a positive mindset by focusing on your strengths, celebrating your strengths and practicing self-compassion when times are tough.
2. Familiarize yourself with campus resources; know where to find academic support, mental health services and other resources that will help you succeed. Campus Well Being resources can be found HERE.
3. Take care of your physical health by being active, eating nutritious food when possible, and prioritize sleep.
4. Connecting with your instructors will help you better understand course expectations and ask for help when needed.
5. Plan your time effectively and be proactive with your classwork.

Returning to college is both a fresh start and an emotional balancing act. Let your mental health be part of your strategy, not an afterthought. Build routines around sleep, movement, and meaningful connections. Be kind to yourself, use campus resources, and focus on growth—not perfection. Your mental well-being is your secret superpower for a fulfilling—and successful—semester.

Photo Credit: istockphoto.com

This is a guest post from Rong (Angela) Ge, a current student at the Language Training Center, she is currently completing her practicum with the Campus Well-Being Unit at RRC Polytech. Angela graduated from Nanjing University with major in Psychology. She worked in an education service centre for the past three years and has helped hundreds of international students settle down in Winnipeg. For now, Angela is moving forward to study in the Health Care field and is focusing on the individual mental wellness in the community.

How Do we improve our mental wellness as International Student?

Studying abroad is a challenge for each and every international student. If you are an international student, do you have a moment like this? Not feeling well but can not tell your parents thousands of miles away, or feeling so lonely and overwhelmed at night?

The main cause of mental health barriers among the international students is that they are taking too much pressure. Therefore, it requires special attention on their mental wellness.

Academic Stress

Generally, most of the parents have high expectations. They hope their children can adapt quickly to a non-native language environment and achieve excellent scores. In fact, the students need more time to get used to the new environment, since they just arrived in a different country, meeting different people, having a different life style. However, when the international students are unable to achieve the desired goals, they are considered not working hard enough.

Economic pressure

Most international students, therefore, depend on their family savings to fund the tuition and living expenses. Compared with the local students, their tuition fees are much higher, and they need to live on a budget to keep life balanced.

Emotional and social stress

This barrier is particularly acute among international students. Initially, their parents who used to take care of them are far away, and the old friends who used to listen to them are not around. Lacking friends and social activities make international students feel even more lonely.

What can we do?

In this special period, all of us are gripping for a way out, but we should pay more attention to the international students, especially their psychological construction. Every international student is brave and excellent. It is worth praising that they can go abroad to live and study alone. However, since there are some misapprehensive voices in the society, many international students are afraid to seek help when they encounter psychological issues, for fear of being looked down upon.

Hopefully, every international student can be safe and healthy.

Here are some tips for improving mental wellness.

• Develop a good habit

Good Habits are essential to our health. They can make the chances of achieving and maintaining our lifestyle goals such as exercising regularly and managing learning time, along with increasing quality of life.

• Self-regulation

Take a break when we are facing with a tough situation. Take the time to think things through, make a plan, wait patiently before acting.

• Get enough sleep

Sleep is an essential function that allows our body and mind to recharge. Healthy sleep helps us reduce stress and improve our mood, think more clearly and do better in school, and get along better with people.

• Go outside and in the sun

Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping us feel calm and focused.

• Live in the moment

Abraham Maslow once said, “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” Only in the present can help us achieve true happiness, peace, and joy.

• Seek help in the community

By the time reading this blog, there is no doubt that you are a member of this community. To support students and staff to stay well in spirit and mind, RRC Polytech is committed to providing excellent counselling service and support.

Click here to learn more about counselling here

Keep in mind, you are not alone. Growing and learning are important, but you need to allow yourself to pause, take a break, and then move forward.

关注国际留学生心理健康问题

作者简介：葛蓉(Angela Ge)，现就读于红河理工学院语言中心，毕业于南京大学社会心理学专业。 在过去的三年，Angela曾就职于一家教育服务中心，协助和陪伴数百位国际留学生在温尼伯展开留学生活。如今，Angela计划学习医疗领域的相关课程，并且持续关注社区中个人心理健康问题。

对每一位国际留学生而言，海外求学永远是一项挑战。如果你是一名国际留学生，你是否有过如下的时刻？伤心失落却不能告知千里之外的父母，亦或者是某一个深夜，孤独和无措相伴？

造成国际留学生心理健康问题的最主要因素，是他们承担了太多的压力。因此，这需要我们更多的关注。

学业压力

一般来说，大部分的家长给予了过高的期待。他们希望自己的孩子能快速的适应非母语环境且取得完美的分数。可实际上，学生们需要更多的时间来习惯新的环境，因为他们目前正处于一个新的国家，会遇见不同的人，拥有不一样的生活方式。然而，当留学生们没有办法达到预期的目标时，他们就会被认为是努力不够。

经济压力

大多数留学生是需要家庭的支持才能支付学费和生活费的。相较于本地学生，他们的学费会高很多，所以需要省吃俭用来平衡学业和生活。

情绪和社交压力

这个问题存在于大多数的留学生当中。照顾我们的家人远在海外，愿意倾听的挚友不在身边。缺乏朋友和社交活动，使得留学生们越发觉得孤独。

我们可以做什么？

在这个特殊的时期，每个人都在寻求出路，留学生们需要我们更多的关注，尤其是他们的心理健康。每一位留学生都是勇敢和出色的，他们在海外求学和生活的行为值得我们称颂。但是，因为有一些不理解的声音存在，有些留学生在面临心理问题时，不敢寻求帮助，怕被别人瞧不起。

真心的希望，在求学的道路上，留学生们能安全和健康。这里有些小贴士可以帮助大家提高身心健康。

• 养成良好的生活习惯

好的生活习惯对健康尤其重要。它们可以让我们有机会实现和维持我们的生活目标，比如定期锻炼和管理学习时间，同时提高生活质量。

• 自我调整

在我们遇到困难的时候，让自己休息一下。在做出下一步行动之前，好好的考虑，做一个计划，或者静静的等待。

• 保有充足的睡眠

睡眠可以让我们的身体和头脑在夜间充电。健康的睡眠可以减少压力和改善绪，考虑事情更清晰，在学校表现的更好，以及和他人友好相处。

• 出门晒晒太阳

研究表明，曝露在阳光下，可以使大脑释放一种叫血清素的荷尔蒙。血清素与改善情绪、帮助我们感到平静和专注有关。

• 活在当下

马斯洛（著名的心理学家）曾经说过:“活在当下的能力是心理健康的一个重要组成部分。”只有活在当下才能帮助我们获得真正的幸福、安宁和欢乐。

• 在社区中寻求帮助

当你读这篇文章的时候，毫无疑问你已经是我们的一员。为了支持学生和教职员保持良好的精神和思想，红河理工学院致力于提供优秀的心理辅导服务和支持。

点击这里了解更多:    https://www.rrc.ca/counselling

记住，你不是一个人。成长和学习虽很重要，但是你需要允许自己停下来，休息一下，然后继续前行。

Andrea Schroder, from the Creative Dream Incubator, will lead participants through a 60-minute in-person workshop. Join Andrea to relax, get in touch with yourself, and explore the concept of self-care.

We recognize that the last two years have been hard, and the last thing we need right now is to be hard on ourselves. Therefore, this workshop will focus on JOY as a remedy for stress and look for simple and joyful ways to increase self-care.

The workshop is an experiential workshop where you will be guided through different types of meditation and visualization to relax your body and mind deeply. We will go back and forth between meditation and journaling to process your thoughts and feelings and develop new ideas for simple ways to reduce stress and increase joy in your life.

Bring a journal/notebook and something to write with.

About Andrea

Andrea is a life coach, spiritual counselor, artist and avid journaler. She has a degree in fashion design and is an accredited spiritual teacher. Andrea created the Creative Dream Incubator in 2011. Andrea has over 25 years’ experience teaching and studying the intersection of creativity and spirituality.

You can find more information about Andrea on her website here

Event will be held in person at the Notre Dame Campus in the eTV Immersion room. Masks are required. To register contact Pamela Villafranca. Registration is limited so contact Pamela quick!

The Details

Date: March 29th 2022

Time: 12:00pm -1:00pm

Location: eTV Immersion Room

In person: Masks required

For questions or accessibility need, please contact Pamela.

While war and strife are not new or rare occurrences, Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has evoked a great deal of concern in our community. Perhaps due to Manitoba’s deep connection to Ukrainian culture or the blatant disparity in power between these nations, many are feeling distressed, angry or generally troubled. This is understandable, given the situation. So, how do we take care of ourselves and our communities during such tragic times, when violence and war are so clearly on our minds? Here are some ideas:

1. Be a good friend. It would be good to check in with your friends, classmates, and coworkers who have connections to Ukraine. Let them know that you’re thinking of them. Offer practical support and help. Let them know you stand in solidarity and speak out against the invasion.
2. Take media breaks. Sometimes, in our efforts to remain informed, we become glued to news, radio, and social media updates. While it’s important to know what’s going on, taking breaks from media is key to maintaining our well-being. Select certain times of the day when you will be media free. If images of war keep you up at night, get your news from radio to reduce that impact.
3. Practice self-care. When times are hard it’s even more important to practice good habits like getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals regularly, and being active. Find a bit of time to do something to nurture yourself. It can be as simple as chatting with a friend, sipping a cup of tea, or playing your favorite game. Self-care may feel selfish when horrible things are happening, but we need to care for ourselves so that we can maintain our strength, stay well, and support others.
4. Act in solidarity. When things happen that remind us of the bad or negative in the world, we can act in ways that support peace and good. Attending a rally or gathering of others can be helpful. Donating money or time to organizations assisting people impacted can help ease the suffering of those individuals, while also increasing our own feelings of well-being. Consider attending the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ rally at the Manitoba Legislature on Sunday, March 6. Or, you may wish to contribute to a registered charity that is assisting affected people.
5. Limit ruminating thoughts. If you find thoughts about the war are keeping you from sleeping or concentrating on other tasks, take a few moments to write your thoughts down and then put the piece of paper away. Alternatively, you could imagine the thoughts being placed inside a balloon and floating away. Limiting your ruminating thoughts doesn’t mean you don’t care, it simply means you’re protecting your own mental state and are saving your energy for other ways to show you care.
6. Reach out for help. Tragedies and uncertain times affect us all differently, depending on our personal circumstances, relation to the tragedy, and our coping skills at the moment. If you could use some support in coping, reach out.
   • Staff can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
   • Students can access Student Counselling Services.

In addition, members of the RRC Polytech community are invited to attend a live Connection Session to mutually support one another.

• A Student Connection Session will take place Wednesday, March 9 from noon-1pm.
• A Staff Connection Session will take place Wednesday, March 9 from 2-3pm.

Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow

Gender and sexual identity play a significant role in mental wellness across the globe. International Women’s Day (IWD) brings awareness and challenges the stereotypical discourses surrounding gender identity. The goal of IWD 2022 is to promote access to affordable mental health programming, adequate medical services, and create a world that is free from gender discrimination.   

 Explicitly and implicitly, gender bias influences behavior and attitudes, leading to discrimination that reinforces the experience of inequity and oppression against women. Since the mind and body are connected, to be well we not only have to take care of ourselves, but also critically analyze the systems we interact with. On IWD we can discuss and deconstruct the stereotypes that affect women’s experiences and work to find ways to honor our wellness while challenging the status quo. This might include assessing your boundaries, practicing self-care without guilt, asking for what you need, rejecting diet culture, and identifying the values that ground you.  

Below is a list of FREE virtual events, organized by individuals across the world in celebration of International Women’s Day

•  Celebrating IWD: Proactive Mental Health & Performance for Women 
• Recentering What It Means to be a Womxn 
• Nurturing Spiritual Health- Crones of Consciousness 
• Celebrating Women who Redefine the Future of Business  
• IWD Truth and Reconciliation: Paddles Up – Getting Ready 

Find out more about IWD 2022 and the theme #BreakTheBias here. 

MindWell has some incredible trainings and programs coming up for you this month:

• Mindful Cooking: Healthy Meals Made Simple – Part 4
• Performance Management from the Inside Out: Mental Health for Leaders
• Building Fitness Habits
• Improve Your Sleep

These programs are included as part of your MindWell account. All MindWell Events and Workshops are FREE of Charge for students, faculty and staff at RRC Polytech. Be sure to spread the word to your classmates and colleagues about these events, and make a plan to attend together! Working on our wellness can be a group activity!

Mindful Cooking Thursdays at 1pm ET / 10am PT | Begins Thursday, March 3rd

In Mindful Cooking Part 4, Chef Kristin will show you how to take the stress out of health eating through easy-to-prepare recipes that will keep you full and fueled throughout the day.

Register Here 

Performance Management from the Inside Out: Mental Health for Leaders Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 | 1pm ET / 10amPT

We continue to face new challenges and stressors inside and outside of the workplace as the pandemic continues. As leaders, supporting our own mental health is critical for clear decision-making, effective communication, achieving goals and supporting the success of our teams.

Register Here

Studio Be Build Fitness Habits- Every Monday in March

Lasting habits begin small.

This March, join Lucia’s fitness class every Monday to build the foundation of movement with a focus on the core and explore how a small but consistent commitment to showing up can shift your mindset around lifelong exercise.

Register Here

 Improve Your Sleep – Every Friday in March

For the month of March, join Ross each Friday in our Studio Be class, ‘Experience Mindfulness’ to learn how to tackle restlessness and get a better nights’ sleep.

Register Here

Sign up for a MindWell Account to access all training and workshops for Free! Click here to sign up. 

In January, we asked staff, students, and faculty to share the art they created at our January Paint Night- Below are the wonderful creations!

Art can be used to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels in our brain and releases endorphins that help us manage the experiences of anxiety. Creating art is a fantastic stress reliever! Paint night can mean taking care of yourself in a different way than what we usually do for ourselves. Keep an eye open in the staff news/student news for our next paint night updates.

Painting is just one way that creativity can promote stress management, but if painting is not for you that’s okay! We curated a list of accessible and beginner friendly crafts, take a look at the list below.

Creative Projects

• DIY Copper Pipe Lamp
• Daisy Chain Bracelet Tutorial
• DIY Copper Coffee Maker
• Clay Coasters
• Origami paper milk box – YouTube
• 100 DIY HOME DECOR IDEAS + HACKS

February Paint Night

With a Cold and Dreary winter, we may be searching for hobbies or ways to help promote our own self-care. We will be holding another paint night for folks to join in and tune in to their creative side. Practicing art and embracing our creativity can help us to feel grounded, assist with managing stress, and an opportunity to focus on creating with our hands. Please join us for a free Paint Night to tune in to that part ourselves as we approach spring.

The Details

Date: February 17^th, 2022

Time: 6-8pm

Platform: WebEx

Register Here

About the Artist

Kisa MacIsaac, RRC grad and owner of Power of Painting, will (virtually) lead you through an evening of self-care as you create your very own painting.

THRIVE events encourage balance and self-care that in turn supports good mental health. All THRIVE events are offered at no charge to participants and are open to staff, students, and faculty.

Need Supplies?

For this virtual paint night, you’re welcome to use your own supplies or sign up to borrow a supply pack. Supply packs will include the canvas, paint, and brushes and can be requested when you register. Brushes and unused paint must be returned to your campus so they can be reused.

We have a limited number of supply packs, so be sure to register early.

There is abundant evidence that taking time to express ourselves through creativity in a social group improves mental health and overall well-being. Don’t miss this chance to make yourself a priority.

More on the Instructor

Kisa MacIsaac (she/her) is Métis, a mother, artist, educator, and a RRC graduate (ECE diploma 2005). She works in a nonprofit early learning and

childcare program in Winnipeg’s inner city and leads wellness painting events as well as creating custom artworks. Making art is medicine –

it has the power reduce stress and anxiety, it is relaxing. Everyone can make art, it’s all about letting go of fear and just creating and going with the flow!
Check out: Power of Painting – Workshops and Art by Kisa
Facebook.com/powerofpainting
IG: @powerofpainting204

The Campus Well-Being team is here to support your physical and mental health. Until we can welcome you to our facilities in person, we invite students and staff to join our live, virtual classes.

To join, simply register and show up ready to move. Your camera and microphone will be turned off, but you will be able to communicate with your instructor using the chat box. Our goal is to help you refresh and rejuvenate before you get back to your school or work day.

Full Body Strength and Conditioning with Evelyn Carriere

• Mondays and Wednesdays 12:15-12:45pm
• Body weight only, equipment is optional for additional challenge
• Modifications for all fitness levels

Register for each class that works for you:

• Wednesday, February 2
• Monday, February 7
• Wednesday, February 9
• Monday, February 14
• Wednesday, February 16
• Wednesday, February 23
• Monday, February 28

Functional Moving with Mario De Negri

• Thursdays 12:15-12:45pm
• Functional movement and restoring
• Rubber exercise bands, body weight and light weights are used
• Modifications for all fitness levels

Register for each class that works for you:

• Thursday, February 3
• Thursday, February 10
• Thursday, February 17
• Thursday, February 24

Yoga with Holly Pluchinski

• Tuesdays 4-4:30pm
• Fridays at noon-12:30pm
• Yoga for all levels

Register for each class that works for you:

• Tuesday, February 1
• Friday, February 4
• Tuesday, February 8
• Friday, February 11
• Tuesday, February 15
• Friday, February 18
• Tuesday, February 22
• Friday, February 25

For any questions or accessibility needs, please contact recreation@rrc.ca.

To further support your wellness, check out our virtual paint night, cooking night and our free fitness and lifestyle consultations.