Showcasing dedication and commitment to the health and wellness of faculty and staff, Trent University has become the first university in Ontario and one of only three in Canada to participate in the Not Myself Today mental health campaign.

"Mental health challenges have become a global public health concern that is treatable and often preventable,” says Stewart Engelberg, director of the Student Wellness Centre, Health, Counselling and Accessibility Services at Trent University. “Our goal is to promote an awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma and increase the likelihood of help-seeking behaviour."  

The Not Myself Today campaign was launched in May of 2013 by Partners for Mental Health, an independent registered charity. The campaign supports the creation of mentally healthy workplaces by providing tools and resources to engage employers and employees around the issues of workplace mental health.

Trent University Human Resources and the Student Wellness Centre has planned a half-day event open to all faculty and staff on Wednesday, October 23, to build on the awareness-raising features of the Not Myself Today campaign, which include posters, buttons and an e-mail campaign. Participants may attend either the morning of the afternoon session.

Dr. Neil Emery, vice president of Research and International, Deb DeBruijn, University secretary and Stephanie Williams, associate vice president, Human Resources, will welcome the participants. There will be a keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Lund, an accessibility advisor at Trent who has worked in the field of mental health and disability for 15 years. The event also offers nine optional sessions including: stress management, expressive arts coaching, a walk on the drumlin, mindful meditation, reframing stress, yoga, and a session for managers on the national standard for health and safety in the workplace. The Canadian Mental Health Association and the Trent Athletics Centre will also be present at the event with information booths.

“The Not Myself Today Campaign opens up a space to discuss mental health in the workplace in order to reduce stigma,” said Lindy Garneau, organizer of the event. “The staff and faculty event Trent has organized is designed to provide strategies to enhance wellness and self-care.  This is an opportunity for staff and faculty to come together on an important workplace issue.”

Trent is also extending the Not Myself Today campaign to students. The Student Wellness Centre will conduct a similar poster campaign, as well as a social media campaign, to raise awareness of mental health among students. The student group, Trent Active Minds, will also participate in Not Myself Today events.

Spaces are still available for the October 23 event. All Trent staff and faculty are encouraged to attend. For more information, and to register, visit the website. http://www.trentu.ca/humanresources/services/wellness.php