Wellness Week
January 18 - 22, 2021
In partnership with the UVSS and over 15 campus partners, The Office of Student Life presents UVic's 7th annual Wellness Week. This year, with many of us isolating and disconnected from our normal support systems, building community and supporting wellness is more important than ever.
Our theme for 2021 is ‘Pathways to Wellness’. From January 18-22 we will explore five different ways to support individual and community wellbeing through virtual, passive and active workshops, activities, events and discussions.
Wellness Week Events
Monday, January 18 - Community Wellness
| Time | Event | How to access |
| 11 a.m.- 12.30 p.m. |
Indigenous Approaches to Holistic Wellness Learn from a team of compassionate, caring and skilled leaders in the field of Indigenous wellness. Best practices and insights will be shared, learned through the extensive work with Residential School Survivors before, during and after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s ground-breaking national healing work. Joining the discussion will be Yvonne Rigsby Jones, Brenda Reynolds, and Survivor Elder Dr. Barney Williams. Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation Ry Moran will moderate this conversation. Presented by UVic Libraries More info about Indigenous Approaches to Holistic Wellness here |
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| 2-3:30 p.m. |
Referrals and Supports Workshop Learn tools and techniques that are effective in supporting your peers in this challenging time. Identify resources at UVic that may be appropriate to refer students to who may be navigating challenging situations. Presented by the Office of Student Life and UVSS |
Register for Referrals and Supports Workshop |
| 6-7 p.m. |
Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training The opioid overdose crisis continues to escalate and claim lives in our community. What can you do to help? Get Naloxone training! Naloxone is a medication that counters the effects of an opioid overdose. We need more community members to be prepared to support someone experiencing an overdose. Join us for an online Naloxone training workshop on Monday, January 18th from 6-7 pm via Google Meet. Closed captions are available! Please email campaigns@uvss.ca if you have questions about using Google Meet, or if you have other accessibility requests! Presented by UVSS and Health Services |
Register for Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training |
| 6-8 p.m. |
CommYOUnity Workshop We all want to feel included and find a sense of belonging in our community, but the how of building community can sometimes feel challenging. Join us for CommYOUnity, an interactive workshop to learn about the role each of us can play in community. Bring your open heart and a curious mind to what will sure to be an excellent dialogue about building community and finding a sense of belonging! Presented by International Student Services |
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| 6 p.m. |
Zoom Movie Night: The Breakfast Club Grab some popcorn and put on your favorite pair of pajamas! Join us on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 6 PM PST on Zoom for an online movie night to de-stress and meet like-minded people, while watching the Breakfast Club! The Breakfast club is a classic mental health film about seeing past stereotypes to recognize that we all have struggles and mental health challenges that we deal with everyday, and that we are more alike than different. Student Life Mental Health Leaders
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Tuesday, January 19 - Emotional Wellness
| Time | Event | How to access |
| 12:30- 1:30 p.m. |
Heart to Heart Talks Need direction for your day-to-day challenges? Take some time out of your busy schedule for yourself and discuss what ‘s important to you. We will discuss topics such as: How can I stop doubting myself? / How can I get people to like me? / Finding light in our darkest moments. / Healing after a breakup / Who am I? Presented by Multifaith |
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| 2-3:30 p.m. |
Talking Circle Elder Victor Underwood will lead folks through 4 rounds of sharing, support and community building. This event is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. As these conversations can be quite personal, registration is required and the confidentiality of the circle is respected. Presented by First People’s House. All welcome. |
Registration for Talking Circle |
| 5-6:30 p.m. |
Campus Conversations: Protecting Against Burnout & Technology Fatigue Join faculty, staff, students, and volunteers as we discuss how to protect against burnout, prevent technology fatigue, connect virtually with other students, and practice self-care. Presented by Peer Support Center |
Zoom link for Campus Conversations |
| 5 -6 p.m. |
Craft Connect Join our Mental Health Students Leaders to connect and support our own mental health while participating in some fun crafts! Meet other students in a casual, fun setting. Presented by Mental Health Student Leaders |
Register for Craft Connect |
| 5-6:30 p.m. |
Supporting a Survivor Receiving a disclosure can feel intimidating if you don’t know how best to respond, which is why we've designed this workshop to address how we can all support the survivors of sexualized violence in our lives. We'll discuss the very important differences between support, disclosure and reporting and cover some foundational support skills including: active listening, believing survivors, busting myths, showing empathy and making referrals. Presented by the Anti Violence Project |
Register for Supporting s Survivor |
| 6:30- 8 p.m. |
Global Community Student Social Drop-In Join this weekly session to meet and hang out with other students in a casual online Drop-in Social! This will be a great opportunity to meet your peers, make new connections, and socialize. Each week, Isaac, Sophia and Bipasa, ISS Student-Staff will plan fun activities that encourage connection and getting to know new friends from around the world! And please invite your friends; the more the merrier and everyone is welcome! Presented by the UVic Global Community |
Zoom link for Global Community Student Social Drop-In
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Wednesday, January 20 - Spiritual Wellness
| Time | Event | How to access |
| 12:15-12:50 p.m. |
Introduction to Meditation We practice a simple mantra meditation to: still the mind & reduce stress, nurture inner awareness, foster mindfulness and open ourselves to peace and well being. We start with a basic meditation instruction at 12:15pm followed by a 20 minute breath meditation at 12:25pm. We are done by 12:50pm. Presented by Multifaith |
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| 4-5:30 p.m. |
We Rise Together: Mindfulness for Radical Change Justin Michael Williams Join in on this highly interactive live event where Justin Michael Williams will guide you through visioning, manifesting and thinking about how to shed toxic thoughts, people and behaviours from your life. Justin links self-care, meditation, anti-oppression and social justice together to help guide us on a new path to wellness. Presented by the Office of Student Life Keep an eye out for an interview with Justin Michael Williams by our very own Chancellor Shelagh Rogers, where they discuss social justice, wellness and Beyoncé!
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Watch the recording of We Rise Together with Justin Michael Williams |
| 5-5:45 p.m. |
UVic Inclusive Christians Inclusive Christians at UVic is a club that supports a progressive and inclusive voice. Members can identify as Christian, Spiritual but not Religious, or are simply curious to learn more about the Christian tradition. We welcome Christians of all denominations into our membership. We also overtly welcome people who identify as LGBTQ2IA+, women, people of colour, indigenous people, refugees, people with disabilities, people regardless of socioeconomic status, and people representing other marginalized groups. Presented by Multifaith |
Register for UVic Inclusive Christians |
Thursday, January 21 - Physical Wellness
| Time | Event | How to access |
| 11 a.m.-noon |
Vikes Fitness Class (In person) Are you on or around campus and looking for something to do? Join us for an outdoor fitness class. This class will be suitable for all participants! It will be completely equipment free, so participants will just need to show up in fitness attire (warm layers encouraged for outdoors) and be ready to have fun! All COVID-19 precautions and provincial health orders will be followed. Space is limited to 25 people so register early! Vikes Athletics and Recreation, Residence Services and OSL |
Register for Vikes Fitness Class |
| noon-1 p.m. |
Healthy Grocery Shopping Join Vikes Athletics & Recreation and the UVic EPHE department for a collaborative workshop on Healthy Grocery Shopping! In this workshop, Dr. Lynneth Stuart-Hill, will educate students on how to select nutritious and delicious options on a student-friendly weekly grocery budget. With the right plan, you can get the most bang for your buck, while staying health-conscious! Presented by Vikes and EPHE |
Zoom link for Healthy Grocery Shopping |
| 2-3 p.m. |
Fit Connect Did you know that physical activity can be a helpful tool to manage anxiety and depression? FitConnect is a partnership between the Student Wellness Centre and CARSA aimed to promote student mental health through physical activity and peer connection. Join us for an interactive session to learn more about how the FitConnect program supports students on and off campus. For questions and accessibility requests please email wellnesspromotion@uvic.ca We will begin with a rundown of what the program offers to both referred participants and student volunteers, followed by a mindful, low intensity stretch/yoga fusion activity and Q&A session. Presented by the Student Wellness Centre and CARSA |
Zoom link for Fit Connect |
| 4:30- 5:15 p.m. |
Yoga for Meditation A gentle yoga and meditation class Presented by Multifaith |
Registration for Yoga for Meditation |
Friday, January 22 - Academic Wellness
| Time | Event | How to access |
| 11 a.m.- noon |
Stress Management Workshop Join this workshop to learn about some approaches to reducing stress and challenging ideas around perfectionism. Presented by the Office of Student Life |
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| 1-2 p.m. |
UVic Bounce Podcast Launch UVic Bounce promotes students’ psychological health and well-being through alumni and faculty stories that emphasize common struggles and resilience. Through a video series and a weekly podcast, UVic Bounce shares with students examples of how to meet and overcome challenges; deepens connection and feelings of belonging among students, faculty and alumni; models resilience, compassion, and mutual support; and prompts reflection on being successful, finding meaning, discovering your path, and forging your values. Presented by UVic Bounce |
UVic Bounce Podcast launching live on the UVic Instagram |
| 3:30- 4:30 p.m. |
Global Community Book Club Do you love reading? Do you want to share your love for reading with others? Come join the UVic Global Community in discussing your favorite books, interesting articles, and inspiring stories. With an open agenda we look forward to connecting with you and bonding over your latest reading material. Please feel open to join even if you don’t have a book on the go! Presented by the UVic Global Community |
Register for Global Community Book Club |
As part of Wellness Week we'd like to hear from you! Take part in this 5 minute survey on UVic's wellness services and programs and be entered to win a $200 Wellness Prize Pack.
Take the UVic Wellness Services Survey
Justin Michael Williams: Live at UVic
WE RISE TOGETHER: Mindfulness for Radical Change
Wednesday, January 20 4-5:30 p.m.
From growing up with gunshot holes outside of his bedroom window, to sharing the stage with Deepak Chopra, Justin Michael Williams knows the power of healing to overcome. He is an author, top 20 recording artist, and transformational speaker who is using music and meditation to wake up the world.
When he was younger, Justin always wanted to be a singer, but a lifetime of being bullied, teased, and abused, made him give up his dream. Then after a seminal moment with his dying grandmother, Justin woke up—and his debut album premiered in the top 20 of the iTunes charts next to Britney Spears and Taylor Swift.
With over a decade of teaching experience, Justin has become a pioneering voice of color for the new healing movement—between his podcast, keynotes, and motivational online platforms, Justin’s teachings have now spread to more than 40 countries around the globe.
Justin is dedicated to using his voice to serve. To being a beacon of hope for those who are lost, and to making sure all people, of all backgrounds, have access to the information they need to change their lives.
Watch the recording for Justin Michael Williams: Live at UVic
Watch an interview with Justin Michael Williams by our very own Chancellor Shelagh Rogers, where they discuss social justice, wellness and Beyoncé!
Wellness Resources and Supports
There is a wide variety of resources available on-campus and in our community to support mental health and well-being.
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental health support service for UVic students. Get connected with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches anytime, anywhere. Available 24/7 by phone and online.
Questions
If you have any questions about Wellness Week, please contact Liam Green at oslprogram@uvic.ca.