Thank you to everyone who shared a glimpse of their well-being through the Frame of Mind Photography Contest!

From the warmth of a puppy’s gaze and the hum of a bumblebee, to sunrise light spilling over the horizon, fall trail walks, peaceful canoe trips, and the awe of the northern lights and Milky Way — your photos beautifully captured the many ways wellness shines through our daily lives. Each image reminded us that well-being isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s personal, creative, and ever-evolving.

We’re excited to announce the 10 randomly selected winners of this year’s contest! While the prizes were drawn by chance, every submission was a meaningful reflection of what it means to care for ourselves and one another.

Wellness can’t be judged or ranked — and that’s exactly what makes this collection so special. Together, these images form a vibrant collage of our RRC Polytech community’s shared commitment to thriving, supporting one another, and noticing the beauty around us.

Keep your cameras (and your eyes) open — wellness is everywhere. Continue capturing those mindful moments, and let’s keep building a community that celebrates connection, creativity, and care every day.

Congratulations to our 10 Winners!

(Winners selected by random draw)

• Tara Thomson
• Dalia Hornada
• Ediwa Abdallah Mansour
• Marc LeBrun
• Kenna Hannah
• Arafat Adewusi
• Katie Allen
• Sukhjit Singh Dhaliwal
• Scott Lao
• Michael Whalen

Each of these participants will receive a gift card — and all 16 featured photos below highlight the incredible creativity and wellness perspectives shared across our campuses.

Photo Gallery

Enjoy this inspiring visual collection — snapshots of calm, colour, movement, and meaning from across our RRC Polytech community. NOTE: Some captions have been altered for length.

Let’s be real: money can be one of the biggest sources of stress in life. It often feels complicated or overwhelming.

That’s why in November, MindWell is focusing on Financial Health, but not the way you might think. MindWell is moving past traditional budgeting and looking at how to build a stronger, calmer mindset around money and spending.

Learn more about these programs using your free MindWell account.

Building a Robust Money Management System

Learn how to create a simple, effective system for saving and spending that helps you feel in control and get ahead financially. This session focuses on building habits and structure that support your goals, not just your bills.

One-time 45-minute session Tuesday, November 4th at 1:30pm CST

Sign up here

From Achievement to Fulfillment

Explore the distinction between “being,” “doing,” and “having,” and the difference between achievement and fulfillment.

Learn how to align your financial pursuits with your core values to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and lasting well-being. Wednesdays at 11 am CST. Sign up here.

Pilates and the Economy of Movement

Just as mindful financial habits help us manage money wisely, mindful movement supports us to conserve energy and use our bodies more efficiently.

Discover how to “budget” your effort, release unnecessary tension, and cultivate movement that is both effective and sustainable. Thursdays at 11 am CST. Sign up here.

The Power of Breath in Conscious Spending

Explore the connection between mindful awareness and financial behavior. This session helps you reflect on values-based choices, reduce stress around money, and build a more grounded relationship with financial decisions.

Fridays at 11 am CST. Sign up here.

What is stress?

Stress is your body and mind’s response to external pressures or challenges. These stressors can be anything from looming assignments, deadlines, exams, or balancing tuition and living costs. When you experience these external pressures, your system responds physically, mentally and emotionally.

There are two broad types of stress:

• Short-term (acute) stress: This is the kind we feel during a test, a deadline, or a presentation. While uncomfortable, it isn’t always bad. In fact, short bursts of stress can sharpen focus, motivate us to act, and help us grow by pushing our limits.
• Chronic stress: This is the kind that doesn’t go away easily — constant financial worries, family issues, ongoing care obligations, or persistent academic pressure. Over time, chronic stress can wear you down, impacting both mental and physical health.

It’s helpful to think of stress on a spectrum: a little bit can be energizing, but too much, for too long, becomes harmful.

Why am I feeling more stressed out these days?

Post secondary students are navigating a unique set of pressures. Here are a few reasons you might feel more stressed than usual:

Increased independence and responsibilities such as finances, schedules, housing are in your hands.

Higher academic expectations. The workload, depth, and stakes of assignments and exams tend to increase.

Uncertainty about the future. Decisions about careers, internships, or further education weigh heavily.

Social and emotional change. New environments, relationships, and possibly distance from your support system all add layers of adjustment.

Compounding stressors. A financial worry today, a familial issue tomorrow, and an academic deadline next week can build, and when multiple stressors collide, they feel overwhelming.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

What can I do to manage my stress?

Campus Well-Being provides some great opportunities for students to de-stress and engage in self-care (read our previous self-care post here!)

Engaging in activities that allow you to move your body, connect with the campus community, and learn new skills are great ways to manage stress. Check out what Campus Well-Being has to offer!

• Sports and Fitness – Intramurals, gym membership, fitness classes.
• Recreation and Wellness – Yoga, dance, paint nights, board games, crafting, nature hikes.
• Mental Well-Being – Therapy Dogs, Cat Cafe, Peer Support, MindWell.

Thrive Week is another great opportunity to try out some different activities and learn new ways to de-stress. You can find the Thrive Week schedule here.

Sources

National Institute of Mental Health

American Psychological Association

The Side Body Stretch is a gentle, uplifting movement that benefits everyone—from students in classrooms to staff in the workplace. It’s perfect for relieving tension in the shoulders and sides, lengthening the spine, and improving posture. This energizing stretch also helps you reset after long hours of sitting or standing.

How to do it

Start in a tall stance:
Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart, grounding firmly through both feet. Keep your posture tall and shoulders relaxed

Lift your arms overhead:
Interlace your fingers and extend your arms straight upward, turning your palms to face the ceiling. Keep your arms close to your ears.

Lean to the side:
Slowly bend your upper body to the right without twisting or leaning forward. Feel the stretch along the entire left side of your body from your hip up through your ribs and into your fingertips.

Hold and breathe:
Stay here for 15–20 seconds, breathing deeply. With each inhale, imagine lengthening your spine; with each exhale, soften deeper into the stretch.

Switch sides:
Return to center, then bend to the left side, holding for another 15–20 seconds. Repeat 2–3 times on each side.

Modify as needed:
If overhead stretching feels uncomfortable, simply place your hands on your hips and lean side to side. You can also try this stretch while seated in a chair.

Benefits of this stretch

Stretches the Sides of the Body:
Opens and lengthens the muscles along the ribs, waist, and hips.

Improves Posture:
Encourages upright alignment and counters the effects of slouching.

Relieves Tension:
Releases tightness in the shoulders, spine, and torso from long periods of sitting.

Boosts Energy and Focus:
Encourages blood flow and helps you feel more awake and refreshed during the day.

Simple and Accessible:
Safe, simple, and effective this stretch can be done anywhere, anytime, with or without modifications

Try it today!

Whether you’re looking for a quick break between classes, a reset during a workday, or a gentle warm-up before activity, the Side Body Stretch is an easy way to refresh your body and mind. Just a few mindful bends can leave you feeling taller, looser, and ready to take on the rest of your day.

Sources

1. Body By Yoga – Simple Standing Side Stretch Guide For Beginners
   Explains step-by-step instructions, posture cues, and benefits such as spinal flexibility, core strength, b alance, and posture improvement.
   🔗 Read here
2. Yoga Journal – The Anatomy of a Satisfying Side Stretch
   Provides an in-depth look at the muscles involved (like obliques and intercostals), and explains how side stretches improve breathing, posture, and spinal health.
   🔗 Read here
3. BODi – Feel Your Best With Standing Side Bend Pose
   Outlines form, benefits, and variations, highlighting how it opens the ribcage, improves posture, and strengthens the core.
   🔗 Read here
4. https://youtu.be/gTEBlnqcJ2c?si=-mHsjqkNFu22Q5ox

As the leaves turn and October unfolds, nature offers a vibrant reminder of colour’s power to move us. Yellow and orange blaze through treetops, vibrant reds ripple through fallen leaves and deep blues and purples linger in twilight skies. These autumn hues signal a change of season but can also stir our feelings and memories.

Through nature, art, or daily choices like the food we eat and clothing we wear, we can support our own well-being. Without saying a word, colour speaks directly to our emotions, influencing mood and energy. Intentionally choosing the colours around us can inspire well-being, creativity and connection.

Everyone experiences colors in unique ways. While one person may find blue calming and peaceful, another might feel energized and alert by the same shade. Exploring and experimenting with colors offers a powerful way to tailor our environments. Using colour, we might craft cozy spaces for relaxation or vibrant areas that boost focus and productivity for work or study. Other ways color can enhance well-being are by stimulating creativity, encouraging mindfulness and even supporting emotional healing, making it a simple yet powerful tool to enrich daily life.

Taking time to notice which colors naturally draw our attention can open a window into our emotions, needs and energy. Here are a few simple and enjoyable ways to explore our personal relationship with color and how it influences our well-being.

1. Color Journaling: Keep a daily or weekly journal noting which colors draw your attention in the environment, clothing or food. Reflect on how each color influences feelings in the moment.

2. Mindful Observation: Spend a few minutes each day observing a single color in nature like a leaf, the sky or a flower. Notice any shifts in mood or focus while engaging fully with that colour.

3. Wardrobe Check: Look through your clothes closet and identify which colors predominantly show up. Ask internally if those colors reflect the feelings wanted or if trying new colors might shift your energy.

4. Color Meditation: With eyes closed, visualize a color that feels soothing or energizing. Breathe deeply while focusing on that color, absorbing its qualities.

5. Color Walk: Take a walk through the neighborhood or visit a park, noticing and mentally gathering colors that catch your eye. Afterwards, consider what made those colors stand out.

Each colour speaks its own language. When we notice the colours we wear, choose, and surround ourselves with, we learn more about what we seek like joy, peace, strength, and renewal. Colour can light a path towards balance, resilience and inspiration.

May we all tune into the colors that resonate the most to gain insight into our emotional needs. Remember, we can intentionally shape environments to support relaxation, focus and healing. Embracing colour can turn ordinary moments into opportunities for renewal and joy.

Sources:

The Very Well Mind – Colour Psychology

The Very Well Mind – Colour Therapy

CanPaint

Thrive Week is your chance to pause, recharge and have fun with free events that spark creativity, connection and calm. Join in to find simple, everyday ways to care for your mental health, stay balanced and feel your best at school, work and beyond.

For All Campuses, Students and Staff

Participate in one of our events: Feast and Friends, DIY fidget making, The Amazing Race, Mini Massages, Cat Café, Mini Golf, Games and Popcorn Lunch, Library Puzzles/Colouring stations and a FortWhyte Alive Wellness Walk. Check out the calendar and listings below for details and registration links.

Door prizes are available at some of our events – register and participate to win!

Hosted by Campus Well-Being and the Students’ Association. For questions or accessibility needs, please contact Kristi Dorian. 

Ongoing All Week

Bookmark Making, Puzzles and Colouring Stations (EDC and NDC)

Take a break from reading, PowerPoints, and hybrid classes with puzzles and colouring pages provided for your relaxation. Create an inspirational bookmark with the provided supplies.

Drop-in to the Notre Dame Campus and Exchange District Campus libraries anytime.

Monday

From Wood to Wellness: DIY Fidget Workshop (NDC)

Connect. Create. Relax. Active – Thrive.

Need a break from the college grind? Join us for a hands-on, stress-busting workshop where creativity meets self-care. In this fun and beginner-friendly session, you’ll learn basic woodworking techniques and craft your own custom wooden fidget – a simple tool that helps with focus, stress relief, and mindfulness.

This workshop offers a chance to:

• Unplug and unwind through creativity
• Build something useful and personal
• Connect with others in a relaxed, supportive space
• Leave with a unique item that supports your mental wellness

No experience needed – we provide all the tools, materials, and guidance. Just bring yourself and a willingness to try something new. Open to all students, faculty and staff.

Sign up early to secure your place! Drop-ins welcome if space available.

REGISTER – Monday, November 3, 2025, Notre Dame Campus in B1-24 Annex.

Please pick only ONE of two possible sessions:

• Session one – from 11:15 to 12pm
• Session two – from 12pm to 12:45pm

Please wear runners or boots (closed-toed footwear) and long pants. All other materials supplied.

Métis Style Beading Workshop with Lucy Lindell (EDC)

The word for bead in Indigenous languages translates to “spirit” and “spirit berry.” In this workshop, beading techniques will be shared along with spirit relations. Through beading and acknowledgement, we can take steps to grow and repair our spirit relations in a good way. One bead at a time, we can bead ourselves back into Creation. 

REGISTER – Monday, Nov 3, 2025, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, Exchange District Campus, Roundhouse Room E240

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Lucy Lindell (she/her) is a Métis free-hand beadwork artist and instructor from the Turtle Clan, raised in Eriksdale, Manitoba. She began to bead in 2019 with Lawrie Barkwell and moved between beading free-hand and with designs that were shared with the Louis Riel Institute.

Beading became a way for Lucy to reconnect with her body and identity, helping her find hope and healing through every bead. Lucy enjoys sharing her culture and ways of knowing. She serves as a helper at the sweat lodge and Sundance. As well, Lucy is completing her Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies with a memoir and auto-ethnography-based thesis titled Beaded and Braided Stories: The Need for Reflection on Everyday Peace and Conflict.

Hatha Yoga (EDC)

Hatha yoga for all! In this class students practice traditional standing, seated and laying down postures. We will move at a medium pace with a focus on mind, body and breath with instructor Philip Rosario.

In Person Only. No experience is necessary. Suitable for all levels and mats are provided. Registration required.

REGISTER – For Thrive Week Monday, Nov 3, 2025, Exchange District Campus, E155, 12:10 to 12:50pm

Tuesday

K-Pop Dance Class (EDC)

Step into the spotlight and feel the energy of K-Pop! This class grooves with high-energy choreography inspired by your favorite idols and music videos, blending rhythm and expression.

No experience needed – just bring your curiosity, comfy clothes and love for music.

Sydney Swan, our instructor, breaks down moves step by step, making complex routines easy to learn and fun to perform.

Expect an upbeat playlist, dynamic teamwork and plenty of chances to show off your style. K-Pop dance fuels your fitness, sparks creativity, and connects you with a community that celebrates joy through movement.

REGISTER – Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 from 12 to 1pm, Exchange District Campus, P107. 

Mini Golf Scavenger Hunt (NDC)

This year mini-golf meets campus-wide scavenger hunt! Explore the Notre Dame campus scouting out the different mini-golf holes hosted by a variety of RRC Polytech’s departments.

Start your tour in the Library Hallway, get your scorecard and complete the first hole! When you’ve completed the course, return to the Library Hallway with your filled-out scorecard to enter the prize draw.

Never played before? You’ll still have loads of fun and maybe score a hole-in-one!

Drop-in: Come as a group or on your own. Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm, start in the Library Hallway.

Feast and Friends – A Buffet of Connections and Conversations (NDC)

Feast and Friends invites you to share a warm bowl of stew while sparking fresh connections. Gather around the table, join in lighthearted icebreakers and discover new conversations that flow with ease. Laughter, good food and relaxed activities create a welcoming space where friendships grow and community strengthens. 

Enjoying a meal with others creates more than just full plates, it builds resilience, strengthens mental health and reminds students that support and friendship grow stronger when shared.

Every bowl of stew comes with a side of connection, and Bannock!

REGISTER – Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 from 4pm to 6pm, Notre Dame Campus, The Cave

Wednesday

Pop-Up Cat Café (NDC)

Thrive Week, in collaboration with Tails of Freedom Inc., invites you to come and take a break! Indulge in a Paw-sitively Purrrfect experience and relax and unwind with some cuddly companions.

Donations are encouraged! Sign up now as spots fill up fast! No walk-in availability.

REGISTER Now!

Date: November 5, 2025
Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm (sign up here for a 30-minute slot) 
Location: NDC – E108

Mini Massages (EDC)

Take ten minutes to pause and let stress melt away.

Enjoy a relaxing chair massage right on campus, delivered by Licensed Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) who ease tension, calm your mind and restore focus. A quick reset lifts your energy, supports mental well-being and helps you return to your studies feeling clear and ready for what’s next.

REGISTER for one spot only – Exchange District Campus in P107 from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Games and Popcorn Lunch (EDC)

Drop in, grab some popcorn and jump into play! Challenge friends with giant games, share laughs over lunch and let your mind reset while you enjoy a well-deserved break.

Playful moments lift stress, boost mood and create connections that strengthen your sense of balance during a busy week. Take this time to recharge, refresh and return to class with new energy.

The Coca-Cola Hug Machine will be onsite again this year. You hug it, it returns the favour with a Coke. Because vending machines have feelings too.

DROP-IN – Exchange District Campus, Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 11:30am to 1:30pm, in the Dining Hall near Tim Hortons.

Gentle Flow Yoga (NDC and Virtual)

Take some time to unwind and reconnect with your body with yoga instructor Jaimie Bristow. A class for all levels focusing on slow rhythmic movements and long gentle stretching to explore opening all areas of the body. Class begins and ends with varying forms of pranayama (breathwork), and/or mindfulness based stress reduction techniques.

Suitable for all levels, mats are provided for in-person sessions.

• Wednesdays In-Person – REGISTER – 12:10 to 12:50pm, Notre Dame Campus, Immersion Room (GM33), near North Gym.
• Wednesdays Virtual and Recording Access – REGISTER – 12:10 to 12:50pm *Access to recording for one week post-class.

Thursday

Jig’n Time with Dean Davis (NDC)

Jigging has brought Métis people together for generations — it’s more than just dance, it’s a celebration of identity, community, and resilience.

Join us at the Indigenous Support Centre for Jig’n Time, an energetic midday session of jigging and square dancing led by renowned instructor Dean Davis. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned stepper, come connect through rhythm, laughter and tradition as part of our Thrive Week celebrations.

So grab your dancing shoes — let’s keep the tradition alive, one step at a time!

REGISTER – Thursday, November 6, 2025 in F205 from 12 to 1pm, Notre Dame Campus

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Dean Davis – Métis Dance Instructor and Performer – For over two decades, dance has been a central part of Dean Davis’s life. Over the past ten years, he has dedicated himself to training dancers of all ages and skill levels in the vibrant traditions of Métis jigging and square dancing, sharing both technique and cultural knowledge with communities across Canada and the northern United States.

Dean’s performance career includes more than 400 shows with renowned groups such as the Asham Stompers and the Métis Club Traditional Dancers. His dancing has taken him across Manitoba and to stages in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, where he has helped bring Métis culture to life through movement and storytelling.

Remarkably, Dean began his own dance journey at the age of 40 at the Métis Club of Winnipeg. There, he first learned to jig and soon joined the Asham Stompers—a celebrated dance troupe known for showcasing the Métis jig on international stages. His late start and rapid rise as a performer and instructor speak to his passion, discipline, and deep respect for the cultural heritage he now helps preserve and pass on to the next generation of Métis jiggers.

Mini Golf Scavenger Hunt (EDC)

New this year, mini-golf meets campus-wide scavenger hunt downtown too! Explore the Exchange District Campus scouting out the different mini-golf holes hosted by a variety of RRC Polytech’s departments.

Start your tour in the Roblin Centre Atrium, get your scorecard and complete the first hole! When you’ve completed the course, return to the Atrium with your filled-out scorecard to enter the prize draw.

Never played before? You’ll still have loads of fun and maybe score a hole-in-one!

Drop-in: Come as a group or on your own. Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm, start at Roblin Centre Atrium.

Mini Massages (NDC)

Take ten minutes to pause and let stress melt away.

Enjoy a relaxing chair massage right on campus, delivered by Licensed Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) who ease tension, calm your mind and restore focus. A quick reset lifts your energy, supports mental well-being and helps you return to your studies feeling clear and ready for what’s next.

REGISTER for one spot only – Notre Dame Campus in The Cave, DM30, from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Feast and Friends – A Buffet of Connections and Conversations (EDC)

Feast and Friends invites you to share a warm bowl of stew while sparking fresh connections. Gather around the table, join in lighthearted icebreakers and discover new conversations that flow with ease. Laughter, good food and relaxed activities create a welcoming space where friendships grow and community strengthens. 

Enjoying a meal with others creates more than just full plates, it builds resilience, strengthens mental health and reminds students that support and friendship grow stronger when shared.

Every bowl of stew comes with a side of connection, and Bannock!

REGISTER – Thursday, Nov 6, 2025 from 4pm to 6pm, Exchange District Campus, Skyfold Classrooms, E235 & E236

Amazing Race – Mini Game Competition: Get Ready for Sports, Fun, and Friends! (NDC)

Calling all students! Join us for an exciting Mini-Game Competition where fun meets fitness. This event is designed for teams of three, but you can register as an individual, duo, or trio—it’s up to you! You’ll compete in six fun-filled mini-games, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and more.

At each station, teams will earn puzzle pieces after completing a challenge. Collect all the pieces, complete your puzzle, and race to the finish line at the South Gym stage! The first team to finish wins a $20 Tim Hortons gift card each.

Ready to have fun, make friends, and compete? See you in the library hallway for the start of this unforgettable event!

REGISTER Today!

When: Nov 6, 2025, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Where: Start at the Library Hallway, Finish at the South Gym Stage
Prizes: Tim Hortons gift cards, and more!

Friday

Pop-Up Cat Café (EDC)

Thrive Week, in collaboration with Tails of Freedom Inc., invites you to come and take a break! Indulge in a Paw-sitively Purrrfect experience and relax and unwind with some cuddly companions.

Donations are encouraged! Sign up now as spots fill up fast! No walk-in availability.

Date: November 7, 2025
Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm (sign up here for a 30-minute slot) 
Location: EDC – P107

Games and Popcorn Lunch (NDC)

Drop in, grab some popcorn and jump into play! Challenge friends with giant games, share laughs over lunch and let your mind reset while you enjoy a well-deserved break.

Playful moments lift stress, boost mood and create connections that strengthen your sense of balance during a busy week. Take this time to recharge, refresh and return to class with new energy.

The Coca-Cola Hug Machine will be onsite again this year. You hug it, it returns the favour with a Coke. Because vending machines have feelings too.

Notre Dame Campus, Friday, November 7, 2025, 11:30am to 1:30pm, The Cave, DM30

Saturday

FortWhyte Alive Wellness Walk

Step off campus and step into autumn’s beauty. Join fellow students and staff for a guided walk through FortWhyte Alive’s trails. As we stroll through forests, wetlands and prairie edges, we’ll pause to listen, look and breathe.

Along the walk, we’ll:

• Watch for birds in the marshes and forests (FortWhyte has recorded over 160 bird species).
• Learn about the resident plains bison herd, one of North America’s largest urban herds.
• Reflect on how time in nature supports mental well-being by reducing stress, boosting mood and grounding you in the present.

Immerse yourself in the changing leaves, the sound of wings, and the gentle rhythms of nature. It’s a peaceful yet powerful way to reconnect — with the land, with others, and with yourself.

REGISTER for your spot on the bus!

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Session Details:
Saturday, Nov 8, 2025: Chartered Bus (Limited Seating).

Roundtrip Chartered Bus – 9:45am to 2pm

Round trip bus transportation to FortWhyte Alive is provided free of charge.

First Bus Pick Up: Please be ready outside the Manitou a bi Bii daziigae front doors, 319 Elgin, for pick up at 9:45am sharp.

Second Bus Pick Up: The bus will also stop at the Notre Dame Campus, in the front bus loop after EDC, around 10’ish depending on traffic.

We will drop off in reverse order, NDC then EDC.

Dress appropriately for the weather. The walk will be cancelled in the event of heavy winds, rain or hail. Students will be asked to sign a waiver.

October 5 – 11, 2025

Mental Illness Awareness Week is here! This year’s theme is Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together. The purpose of MIAW is to educate the public about mental illness, address misconceptions, and reduce the stigma associated with it. This in turn promotes acceptance, respect and equitable treatment for those living with mental illness all while reducing stigma.

As we move through the chapters of our life, our mental health is always changing. This is especially true for post-secondary students. According to the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, 75% of post secondary students struggle with their mental health and 61% developed new mental health challenges in the past year. National surveys indicate a significant percentage of Canadian post secondary students experience depression and anxiety disorders.

What can you do? One of the most helpful ways to reduce stigma around mental illness is to educate yourself about mental health, specifically in how you talk about mental health and mental illness. Mental health awareness and literacy can help to empower you to understand and manage your own well-being and help to support others.

How to get involved?

Join in one or more of the RRC Campus Well-Being Mental Illness Awareness Week Events.

SJA Therapy Dogs

11:30 am to 1 pm

October 7 at EDC, October 9 @ NDC

Community Mental Health Fair

11 am to 1 pm

October 7 @ EDC, October 8 @NDC

The Better Brain Diet MindWell Webinar

October 7 at 12 pm.

Love Notes Workshop

11:30 am to 12:30 pm

October 8 @ NDC Prairie Lights.

Sources

Mental Health Commission of Canada – Language Matters Cheat Sheet

Universities Canada

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations

What’s on your plate could be shaping your mood, focus, and energy.

Mental health is about the small, daily choices we make to care for ourselves; and food is a vital part of that.

As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day, MindWell is bringing you a special webinar on one powerful (and often overlooked) choice: what we eat.

Join renowned Canadian mental health pioneer Dr. Bonnie Kaplan for The Better Brain Diet: Eating for Mental Health & Peak Performance webinar. Learn how the food you eat can help reduce stress, sharpen focus, and boost resilience, and walk away with simple, practical tips you can use right away.

As part of Mental Health Month, join us on Tuesday, October 7th to explore how nutrition impacts your mind and learn practical strategies to support mental clarity, reduce stress, and boost performance at work and beyond.

Dr. Kaplan will cover:

• The essential brain nutrients and their profound impact on your mental state.
• How to fuel your body’s energy production (mitochondria) through diet to combat inflammation and fatigue.
• The surprising link between your gut and your brain, and how to nourish both for better mental health.
• Overview of public policy initiatives & implications for workplace mental health strategies
• A clear, actionable roadmap for improving your mental well-being with simple, evidence-based nutrition strategies

60 Minute Webinar. Tuesday October 7 at 12 pm CST. Register Here.

And that’s not all! In October, you can also join:

Taming the Wandering Mind

A restless mind can impact everything, from your focus at work to how you manage stress in daily life.

This month, Dr. Ellen Choi explores the link between working memory and mental distraction. You’ll learn science-backed tools and mindfulness strategies to sharpen your attention, enhance productivity, and stay grounded in the present moment.

Wednesdays at 11 am CST. Register Here.

Posture & Mental Health: Standing Tall for a Calmer Mind

Slouching can increase stress, drain energy, and affect focus, while standing tall can boost mood, confidence, and clarity.

In this session, Stott Pilates–certified instructor Julie Anderton will guide you through simple Pilates-based movements to release tension, improve alignment, and support both your body and your mind.

Thursdays at 11 am CST. Register Here.

Mind Reset for Focus and Clarity

Learn breathwork exercises to manage mental fatigue and overthinking. Through mindful breathing strategies, this session will guide you in resetting your mind for greater clarity and concentration. Feel Your Best, Perform Your Best!

Fridays at 11 am CST. Register Here.

Walking lunges are a dynamic lower-body exercise that strengthens your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. They challenge balance, coordination, and stability, making it a versatile move that fits perfectly into home or gym workouts. Whether you’re working on strength, endurance, or simply want to add variety to your routine, walking lunges are a staple move with big benefits.

How to do them

Starting Position:

• Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and core engaged.
• Keep shoulders back and chest lifted.

Step & Lower:

• Step forward with your right leg and slowly lower your body until both knees are bent at about 90 degrees.
• Your back knee should hover just above the ground.

Push & Step Through:

• Press through your front heel to stand tall and bring your back leg forward into the next step.
• Continue alternating legs as you “walk” forward.

Repeat:

Aim for 8–12 steps per leg for 2–4 sets, depending on your strength and goals.

Variations

Bodyweight Walking Lunges
Perfect for beginners—no equipment needed. Focus on form, balance, and control.

Weighted Walking Lunges
Hold dumbbells at your sides or a barbell across your shoulders for added resistance. This increases strength, power, and muscle growth.

Benefits of Walking Lunges

Strengthens Glutes, Quads & Hamstrings – Builds a powerful and balanced lower body.
Improves Balance & Coordination – Challenges stability while moving.
Core Engagement – Strengthens your midsection for better posture and control.
Enhances Athletic Performance – Supports running, jumping, and lifting with more power.
Scalable for All Levels – Easy to modify or progress with weights, reps, or tempo.

Try It This Month!

Walking lunges are an effective, full-body move you can take anywhere—no fancy equipment required. Add them to your lower-body days, sprinkle them into a circuit, or try them as a warm-up for bigger lifts.

Want to see walking lunges in action? Head over to our Instagram for a video tutorial!

Sources

Walking Lunges: How-To, Variations, Benefits, Safety, and More

How to Do Walking Lunges: Techniques, Benefits, Variations

How to Do Walking Lunges for Stronger Legs and Better Balance

Peer Support, one of RRC Polytech’s wellness programs for students, is a confidential, volunteer-based, non-clinical support program that leverages the wisdom gained from lived experience. Social and emotional support from a fellow student can inspire hope and empower others who are in similar situations.

RRC Polytech is looking for students who are interested in helping others with mental health challenges. For example:

• Have you been through a difficult time or situation that caused you to take deliberate steps towards recovery? (This may be through personal experience with a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health issue, or experience with supporting a loved one through their own challenge.)

• Do you have a compassionate approach to life, and a desire to help others along their own path towards recovery?

• Would you like to help champion positive mental health in RRC Polytech by taking on the role of volunteer peer supporter?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, please reach out to Kelly Giddings, Campus Mental Health Specialist for the Peer Support Volunteer Information Package or with any questions.

Please note: Peer Support Volunteers must attend six MANDATORY virtual peer support training sessions on Oct. 22 & 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26 from 6-9 pm.