We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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UOIT knows mental health: removing barriers

January 25, 2016

There are a number of ways you can help end stigma and support those who struggle with mental health conditions.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day - Wednesday, January 27 – the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) highlights the importance of openly talking about mental illness as a way of eliminating stigma and supporting those who struggle with mental health conditions.

Several researchers at the university are engaged in projects related to mental health matters. Most recently, Dr. Victoria Smye, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of the university’s Nursing program, played a key role in addressing the issue of stigma in the health care system by authoring an online curriculum for nurses and other health care workers. The curriculum, entitled De-Stigmatizing Practices and Mental Illness: Nurses Working Together to Support Mental Health and Well-Being, was developed with support from the Bell Let’s Talk awareness campaign and the Mental Health Commission of Canada. It was formally released on January 15 by the Canadian Nurses Association and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada.

Other researchers working on mental health-related projects include:

The university also offers a number of mental health-related resources for students. Student Mental Health Services, part of the Office of Student Life, has established the Student Mental Health Advisory Committee (SMHAC), which includes 11 student-members. The SMHAC focuses on developing mental health awareness, promoting ways to manage stress and build resiliency, and developing a comprehensive mental health peer support resources for students.

“Good mental health helps you cope well with the challenges of life – it is just as important as physical health and should not be ignored,” said Sara Stephen, third-year Communication and Digital Media Studies student and SMHAC member. “For young adults, the university years can be a time of stress, brought on by transitions such as being away from home, experiencing academic pressure and feeling intimidated by the idea of preparing for the future. The Student Mental Health Committee is working on a number of initiatives to help students manage these stresses, and bring the university community together to be more accepting and understanding of mental health.”

The university’s President Tim McTiernan, PhD, has also shared his thoughts on mental health in the workplace.

To learn more, visit:

Student Mental Health Services website, blog and Facebook page
Mental health awareness resources for faculty and staff

Media contact:

Patricia Pickett
UOIT Communications and Marketing
905.721.8668 ext. 6710
patricia.pickett@uoit.ca

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