Healthy U

Royal Roads has recently developed a health and wellness plan, branded “Healthy U” with a vision to support our employees in all aspects of health, summarized as ‘Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, and Healthy Life’. We will be using this page to communicate some of the things we have been doing so, keep checking back to learn more!

Healthy U is launching October as RRU’s Mental Health Month! 

October 2018 - RRU Mental Health Month

Below is a brief description of all of the events that will be offered to staff and students for Mental Health Month.

Lunch Time Meditation Group: More and more research is being released that supports the health benefits of meditation. As such, an employee inspired meditation group at RRU has formed and due to the popularity, it now meets twice a week! Lead by Linda Nelson, who is working towards her Integrated Mindfulness Certificate through Continuing Studies, lunchtime meditation is open to all skill and experience levels. Email Linda to sign-up for calendar invites or just drop-in every Monday and Wednesday from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm in Castle 121!

Meditation and Gentle Yoga for Resiliency: This 30 minute morning session is designed around building mental wellness through grounding, gratitude, self-care, and self-acceptance. Lead by Riley Webster, one of our own BAPC students, this session will be a guided meditation with a body and mind relaxation focus. A body scan and interceptive techniques will be introduced.  There is no sign-up necessary, drop-in to one or all sessions and bring your matt and a blanket if you wish. The dates and locations are as follows:

October 4 - 7:45 – 8:15 am in Grant 318
October 11 – 7:45 – 8:15 am in the Centre for Dialogue
October 18 - 7:45 – 8:15 am in Grant 318
October 25 - 7:45 – 8:15 am in the Centre for Dialogue

Yoga for Beginners: This is a slow, grounding flow style of yoga where space is created and held for you to feel whatever you need to feel, and move in whichever way best serves your body. Lead by Riley Webster, the class involves healing touch (if you would like) for a calming and healing effect. This class runs every Tuesday from 11:30 – 12:30 pm in the Aerobics Studio in the Rec Centre. It is free to members or just show your staff card to attend at no-charge for the month of October.

United Way Kick-off and Children’s Art Show: The United Way Greater Victoria is committed to helping children grow up healthy and achieve success and to help them in their fundraising efforts, RRU is hosting a Children’s Art Show and Sale in Quarterdeck from 10 am to 4 pm. To find out more, please visit Crossroads.

Light up Purple: Wear your purple in support of World Mental Health Day! You can also stop by the LIC and/or Sherman Jen lounges from 11 am - 1 pm to write a card of appreciation for someone in your life! For more information, visit: http://www.lightuppurple.com/

The Green Prescription: A wellness walk in the gardens lead by Paul Allison. The walk will start at noon at the main garden gate entrance and will take you down through the Japanese Garden to the pond and water wheel. Paul will share his knowledge on the healing power of plants and some of the species that are historically known for their benefits on mental wellbeing. No sign-up necessary!

Mindful Eating:  This is an hour long interactive workshop facilitated by Associate Faculty member, Sarah Kinsley. Stemming from topics of interest as shown in our employee Wellness Survey results, Sarah will be discussing the importance of being mindful with your eating and what health benefits can come of it! The workshop is from 11:30 – 12:30 pm on October 11th in the new Sherman Jen Building room 117. Please email healthyu@royalroads.ca to sign-up!

Managing Stress and Building Resilience: This workshop will offer strategies to increase your personal resilience so you are better prepared to navigate the stress, challenges and set-backs in your personal, academic and work life. Participants will learn skills and strategies to respond to stress, adversity and failure in healthy and effective ways, improve physical and mental health, shift negative thought patterns, and cultivate social supports.This session will take place in the Castle Drawing Room, from 12-1pm. You are welcome to bring your lunch. Click here to register.

De-Stigmatizing Mental Health:  In this workshop we reflect on our attitudes and beliefs about mental health with the hope of raising our awareness and understanding of people living with mental health concerns. Specifically, mood and anxiety disorders are examined, including a review of supportive resources and coping strategies. Basic tools are provided to empower anyone to be a “mental health first responder”. This event has limited seats and is currently full. 

PCS Course – Mental Health First Aid: The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Basic course is a program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. It is designed to give members of the general public the skills required to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis. This is a basic introductory course aimed at increasing mental health literacy, decreasing the stigma associated with this topic and building the confidence of participants to be able to support people with mental health problems. Register today via the Corporate HR Funded Registration process.

PCS Course – Mental Health Awareness: The Mental Health Awareness course is an introductory course with the aim of increasing mental health literacy, decreasing the stigma associated with this topic and building the confidence of participants to help others. Participants will learn a framework for approaching employees to offer help before the situation becomes more serious. Register today via the Corporate HR Funded Registration process.

Mental Health Speaker Kevin Breel: Kevin Breel is a mental health writer, activist, and comedian. Parade Magazine recently named Kevin to their list of “Most Influential Millenials in the World” alongside Mark Zuckerberg. To learn more about Kevin, visit http://kevinbreel.com/. Kevin will be raising mental health awareness by sharing some stories and some laughs with staff and students from 12:30 – 1:30 pm in the SJB room 113. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch.

Past Events 

Visit Crossroads to learn about the Wellness Fair that was held in May 2018:

https://crossroads.royalroads.ca/news/healthy-u-wellness-fair-may-3