Workshops to Support Wellbeing

Wellbeing at Work

Workshops to support wellbeing

Ryerson’s Workplace Wellbeing Services team offers workshops and events to faculty and staff on an ongoing basis, both in support of wellness and to invite conversation about mental health and wellbeing.

Community Perspectives on Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Community Perspectives on Mental Health and Wellbeing event series invites Ryerson faculty, staff and students to engage in noon-hour talks that explore diverse and critical viewpoints on mental health and wellbeing. A light lunch is provided.

Upcoming session: My wellbeing - Who’s responsible?

The path to attaining good health is frequently portrayed as an individual one. We often receive the message that the keys are within each of us, and that we will attain optimal health through individual behaviours like eating healthily, meditating, exercising, etc.

However, research has shown that there are several factors outside of our control that have a significant impact on our wellbeing. According to Health Canada, “...in addition to our individual genetics and lifestyle choices, where we are born, grow, live, work and age also have an important influence on our health”. How do the social determinants of health, such as income and social status, race, gender, social supports and coping skills, among others influence our mental health and wellbeing?

At our next session, learn from a panel of speakers with extensive research and public health and lived experience on how these factors influence our wellbeing, and ways to address it. A light lunch of soup, fruit and dessert will be provided.

Event details

Date: Friday, February 28, 2020
Time: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: CUI-219

Panellists

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Dr. Andrew Boozary
Primary care physician and Executive Director, Health and Social Policy, University Health Network

Dr. Andrew Boozary is a primary care physician and Executive Director, Health and Social Policy at the University Health Network. He holds academic appointments as an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) at the University of Toronto and as an adjunct faculty member at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Dr. Boozary is the founding editor-in-chief of the Harvard Public Health Review and has published in top academic journals including JAMA, BMJ and Health Affairs. Dr. Boozary completed his medical training at the University of Toronto and health policy training at Princeton University (Master in Public Policy) and Harvard University (Master of Science). He has maintained active research as a Visiting Scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is a Senior Fellow at the Wellesley Institute.

Yolanda C. Kosic
Research Assistant (Intern), Women's Health in Women's Hands & Student, School of Social Work, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University

Yolanda Kosic is a 4th year Honours Social Work student with a psychology minor, within the Faculty of Social Services at Ryerson University. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and has over 12 years of professional marketing and branding experience. Yolanda is currently completing her research practicum at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre where she is engaged in research and program interventions for the Centre’s priority population of women from racialized communities. She is also a Residential Support Worker at Regeneration Community Services; a community mental health and addictions organization providing affordable supportive housing and case management services for adults with serious mental health and/or addiction challenges.

In addition to interests in clinical therapeutic practice in the areas of trauma, anxiety and depression, Yolanda is interested in reducing disparities in health and mental health outcomes for Black communities in Canada, with a focus on the determinants of health, and their relation to active legacies of racism, colonialism, and discrimination.

Natalie Roach (moderator)
Mental Health Coordinator, Student Wellbeing & Workplace Wellbeing Services, Ryerson University

Natalie Roach is Ryerson's Mental health coordinator. Working across Student Wellbeing, Workplace Wellbeing Services as well as the Office of the Vice- President, Equity & Community Inclusion, she leads campus-wide initiatives and brings a unique perspective on how to best serve students, staff and faculty from a mental health and wellbeing perspective. Natalie also made a lasting impact at the University of Manitoba where in 2014 she led the implementation of a campus wide mental health strategy.

Natalie holds a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology, as well as an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

Additional dates scheduled for the 2019-20 season

Friday, May 29 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Eco-anxiety: Climate change and our mental health

Note that dates are subject to change. Please check back for updated information.

Ongoing workshops to promote employee wellbeing

As part of supporting employees' whole selves, these workshops are offered to faculty and staff throughout the year to help you support your own wellbeing and that of others.

To sign up, visit the wellbeing category of the Learning Events Calendar.

Learning Events Calendar

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Pick up some simple techniques for dealing with life’s inevitable stressors. Practice presence and self-care with Mindfulness Meditation. This interactive session introduces meditation through talks, discussion and practice.

This is a noon-hour session offered weekly at periodic times throughout the year.

The Notice, Engage, Refer + Debrief workshop was developed by experts in psychology, adult learning and public health, and combines theory and practice to teach participants how to:

notice early signs of distress;
confidently engage with each other in these times; and
understand your role in supporting and referring those who may be experiencing mental health challenges; and
learn the importance of debriefing with your team/support network, as well as self-care, when these instances arise.

This is a two-hour session offered twice per semester and, in certain cases, for groups/departments.

Explore diverse approaches to supporting our mental health and wellbeing with the Refresh lunch and learn workshop series. This series is designed for faculty and staff to learn about various topics related to wellbeing in a relaxed atmosphere. Past sessions have included Reiki, Homesteading, Urban Gardening, Stress Relaxation Techniques, and Keeping Motivated to stay Active. Artisanal cheese and crackers, coffee and tea are provided.

This is a noon-hour session offered monthly, with a break during July and August.

The Writing for Wellness series invites participants to discover their capacity for reflection and insight. Integrating elements of positive psychology, phenomenology of writing, mindfulness, self-compassion, optimism, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and holistic development, participants develop specific ways to replace stress with resilience.

Learn how to use writing to support yourself in times of stress and come away with some practical ways to use writing as a vehicle for wellbeing, flourishing and personal growth. Bring your pen, your journal and an open mind… no sharing required!

This is a noon-hour session offered monthly throughout the year.