Stay in the loop with events, initiatives and updates across Campus Wellness and Support Services.

Healthy living

• The Healthy YOU at CU outreach table is back! Health Promotion Specialist Gaby Szabo will be available weekly around the Sir George Williams campus with health information, answers to questions and free condoms.
• Quit smoking or vaping: The province-wide Quit to Win challenge/Défi J'arrête, j'y gagne begins on February 7, with a chance to win $5000 for quitting smoking for 6-weeks. Concordians also have access to Health Services' smoking/vaping cessation resources and one-on-one appointments.

Stress Reset week

February 21 – 25: The wellness team will be hosting a week of activities for students understand and manage stress and anxiety and to practice releasing tension through creativity and movement. Highlights include:

• Concordia counsellor Dr. Jessica Tutino's workshop about recognizing and managing anxiety.
• Brad Aeon will kick-off his 4-part time management series, which focuses on using our time intentionally and reflecting on our priorities.
• Charles Altman, Gaby Szabo and Dr. Jewel Perlin will continue their Thiving! series of discussions, this time focusing on the importance of healthy relationships.

More stress-reducing activities include beading with Cory Hunlin and sew your own menstrual pad in collaboration with the CSU, and ongoing Zen Dens activities like active listening, mindful study drop-ins, dance classes, and the "Art" of Self-care.

ADHD coaching

The Medipsy-ACSD ADHD Coaching pilot project is currently underway. By the end of Winter 2022, the ACSD hopes to have provided individualized ADHD coaching sessions to 30 ACSD-registered students.

Anecdotally, students have reported sessions to be helpful in managing their stress, emotions, and relationships. The results of the project will be analyzed in the spring.

ACSD updates, outreach and welcome back

• Faculty can join one of two Zoom Q&A sessions on February 9 and 11, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. to connect with the ACSD and ask questions about the ACSD exam service.
• The ACSD hosted a virtual welcome back for registered students, as an opportunity to connect with students and provide an overview of the services and supports offered.
• Advisors continue outreach to Cegep students to connect with potential Concordians and ease their transition to university. After meeting with students from John Abbott, they will visit with Champlain College on February 11.

Accessibility presentations

• The ACSD collaborated with the Equity Office to host Dr. Amanda Kraus, who explored how models of disability are framed within social, political, economic and educational contexts. Dr. Kraus also discussed implications for Universal Design for Learning and the impact of the pandemic on issues related to disability studies.
• Anna Barrafato gave a guest lecture to students who are currently doing internships in the Early Childhood and Elementary Education (ECEE) program, where she presented strategies to implement UDL in elementary schools.