After benefiting from St. Michael’s wellness services, Jared Calder Floirendo has found his voice championing mental well-being at St. Michael’s. As a member of the Student Wellness Advisory Group, he adds a student voice to the many wellness initiatives on campus.

“To me, wellness is about self-care; it’s about doing the things you like. I think in life, we often forget to do those things,” he says.

Jared became interested in wellness at St. Michael’s after accessing some of the wellness and academic services when he was struggling during his first year.

“Transitioning from high school to my first year at the University of Toronto was a big transition for me. During my first year I felt I needed someone to talk me through this very stressful period,” he says.

He was able to book a same day appointment with a counselor at the University of Toronto. “I found I just needed to talk to somebody; have a cool, calm presence guide me through this very stressful time,” he says.

Jared is now in his second-year double majoring in critical studies in equity and solidarity and diaspora and transnational studies. The decision to declare a major caused him a lot of anxiety. In his first year, he was excited by the diverse array of courses available at the University of Toronto, but then felt pulled in too many directions. After reaching out to the St. Mike’s Registrar’s Office, he met with one of the advisors, Carolyn Ibana, and from there was able to make an informed decision about his major and move to part-time.

“I give a lot of my credit to where I am now to these resources that are offered at St. Mike’s,” he says.

As a part-time student, he’s now focused on taking care of himself and doing what inspires him. This led him to get more involved with St. Mike’s wellness programs. He joined the newly launched Student Wellness Advisory Group, which meets twice a term to brainstorm ideas; evaluate the ideas using current research methods; and provide student feedback to raise awareness, educate, propose or coordinate wellness and mental health-based initiatives, programs and events.

When he met Emily VanBerkum-Farahat, St. Mike’s Manager of Community Wellness, he found someone who’s equally committed to mental health well-being. He shared his wellness journey with her, and they’ve discussed how his experiences could be adapted into possible initiatives at St. Mike’s that were presented at the most recent Advisory Group meeting.

“It’s very energizing to think about all the possibilities that can come from my ideas. The Student Wellness Advisory Group is a unique opportunity for St. Mike’s students to really be a part of the decision making,” he says.

“When I got to St. Mike’s and learned about wellness, I realized I’ve been doing this my whole life.” Jared came to U of T with what he now realizes is a wealth of wellness experience.

His wellness journey began in high school when he visited the guidance office for academic advising, and he became fascinated with the guidance counsellors’ work in providing mental health counselling. “I wanted to learn more about what they do and how they’re able to just sit and talk with people.”

In high school, he co-founded a group called the Student Empowerment Alliance that put a spotlight on students’ mental health. “We wanted students to be empowered to advocate for themselves,” he says.

In his final years of high school, he was a youth worker at Applegrove Community Complex in Toronto. In this role he led workshops on how to navigate the job market, offered help with writing resumes and cover letters and provided mental health supports.

“Personally, I was focused on the mental health aspect. I talked a lot with the youth who used the centre about their experiences as adolescents. I, being a young person as well, was able to relate with them, and that relatability was key to being able to talk with the kids and have them open up,” he says.

Jared’s aim is to continue to advocate for mental well-being by becoming a social worker. “My involvement with the Student Wellness Advisory Group has become a gentle reminder to myself that I need to prioritize my own mental health. If I am to share and teach others about mental well-being, I need to show others what that can look like in my own life,” he says. “If we want a culture where we can openly talk about mental health struggles, I believe we need to hear from young people and amplify what they’re saying.”

St. Michael’s coming Wellness Week aims to put mental health on everyone’s mind. St. Mike’s many wellness services and resources will be showcased through various events hosted on campus from October 21-25. Shining a spotlight on wellness at St. Michael’s will help empower students to seek help when needed.

Student well-being has always been at the forefront of St. Mike’s services, whether it’s the academic advising provided by the Registrar’s Office, writing help offered through the Writing and Research Help Centre or peer support offered though peer mentorship. To be more intentional about wellness, St. Mike’s expanded its wellness program by hiring Emily VanBerkum-Farahat as its inaugural Manager of Community Wellness in May 2023.

She serves as an on-campus social worker and offers one-on-one wellness advising appointments, helps students access a range of mental health resources and services offered by the University of Toronto (and wider community) and supports the creation of personalized wellness action plans.

“Our St. Mike’s students are incredibly special. They are thoughtful, resilient, and curious; asking life’s big questions; and striving to find their place in the world. Transformative education involves care for the whole person. I believe that attention to how our campus nurtures holistic wellbeing enhances the student experience,” she says.

The Wellness Office has hosted several wellness events, including art and animal therapy sessions, workshops to promote mental health literacy and stress-relieving activities. Some of the events are held in collaboration with various student groups, including the Wellness Council, which supports student well-being by offering events and resources.

“The Wellness Council has always been a space where I can de-stress, re-energize, and connect with my peers. Given the pressures of academic life, especially during midterms and finals, this club has provided me with an outlet to prioritize my well-being. I’ve seen firsthand how our events and initiatives positively impact both our members and attendees, creating a sense of community and support,” says Aaliya Bhamla, a fourth-year student double majoring in Health & Disease and Cell & Molecular Biology, with a minor in Psychology, who is the president of the Wellness Council. “In this role, I have the unique opportunity to drive meaningful change, facilitate open conversations about mental health, and advocate for accessible support systems, building a campus culture rooted in inclusivity and well-being.”

With the launch of the Student Wellness Advisory Group, students can have their say in wellness at St. Mike’s. The Advisory Group is a team of students of all years of study and programs who come together twice a term to brainstorm ideas, use current research/program evaluation tools and student feedback to raise awareness, educate, propose or coordinate wellness and mental health-based initiatives, programs and events.
Jared Calder Floirendo, a second-year student, joined after benefiting from some of the wellness resources and witnessing the breadth of wellness activity on campus.

“I joined the Advisory Group last year when it was brand new. Wellness has always been important to me, and I love to get involved in all things mental health-related. It’s very energizing to think about all the possibilities that can come from student voices,” he says.

New to campus this year is Maila Robinson, a practicum student in her second year at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. She will lead students through stress reduction techniques and facilitate regular mindful activities in the Wellness Studio. Join her on Thursday afternoons for the Relaxation Zone, which will transform the Wellness Studio into an oasis of calm and space for self-care.

“The Studio is a special space on campus for students to explore different domains of well-being, which include mind, body, and spirit, and cultivate their own wellness practice as part of a community of care,” says Emily.

Yoga, Taijutsu, Tai Chi, boxing, and Kudoki Kung Fu classes are also offered in the Wellness Studio on a weekly basis. Students are invited to drop in and try out something new. Click here to view the Student Life Calendar, which includes classes offered in the Wellness Studio.

The greatest asset to wellness at St. Mike’s has always been its community. “Community engagement enhances the academic experience, builds skills and resiliency, and strengthens a sense of belonging and purpose,” says Emily.

Get involved and be sure to check out the wellness activities scheduled for Wellness Week:

October 21: Get Crafty @ SMC (Pen Pals Letter Writing): students can write or decorate a card. National and international postage will be provided. This is a great way to keep in touch and nurture relationships and support systems beyond the school environment.

October 22: Therapy dogs visit St. Mike’s

October 23 – Relaxation Station: Fr. Madden Hall transforms into a drop-in space for quiet reflection, guided meditation, learning self-massage, actual massages with an RMT, light refreshments, aromatherapy, etc.

Oct. 24- Navigating life post-graduation: A values-based decision-making workshop with complimentary dinner – an opportunity to reflect on life’s big questions and the post-graduation journey.

Oct. 25- Campus Clean Up with SMCSU

Today, on World Mental Health Day, guest columnist Malia Robinson highlights events taking place today and suggests ongoing ways we can take better care of our mental health.

Robinson completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, where she majored in Women & Gender Studies and minored in Contemporary Asian Studies and Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health. Within these disciplines, she explored the social, emotional, and physiological impacts of trauma and developed a keen interest in different healing practices. This exploration led her to pursue a Master of Social Work degree at U of T’s Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, where she is specializing in Mental Health & Health and completing her second-year practicum at St. Michael’s, supervised by Emily VanBerkum-Farahat as Manager of Community Wellness.

Greetings, staff and faculty at St. Michael’s. My name is Malia Robinson. I am a Master of Social Work student, specializing in Mental Health & Health, currently completing my second-year practicum supporting St. Mike’s Community Wellness portfolio.

Did you know that Thursday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day? This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of improving mental health in the workplace. There is lots taking place on campus to nurture our personal and communal wellbeing and show our support for the destigmatization of mental health and help seeking. If you are able, please check out one or all of the activities below:

• Check out the book collection Kelly Library curated for World Mental Health Day!

It will be available at the circulation desk all month long.

• Check out the “Be Kind to Your Mind” event, which will feature several mindful activity stations for you to explore in the COOP on October 10 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Check out the play “Every Brilliant Thing” (a powerfully uplifting play about depression) hosted by the SMC Troubadours, which will run in the Senior Common Room on Oct. 17 from 7:30-9:00 p.m., Oct. 18 from 7:30-9:00 p.m., Oct. 19 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. and 7:30-9:00 p.m.
• And check out the “Relaxation Station,” which will host a variety of stress-relieving activities (including an upper body massage by a registered massage therapist, a guide to learning self-massage techniques, guided meditation, and healthy refreshments) in Fr. Madden Hall on October 23 from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

As the academic year takes off, an awareness of our struggles, curiosity towards new self-care activities, and willingness to reach out for additional help if needed is critical. Not only does self-care prevent burnout and help us balance our physical, mental, and emotional needs, etc., it can be regarded as a “strategy for success” where even the smallest changes can accumulate and yield meaningful long-lasting results!

Understanding this, SMC Wellness integrated this holistic approach into all Wellness Week activities and events. As part of my practicum experience, I want to support programs and initiatives that cultivate an environment where students, staff, and faculty feel comfortable talking about mental health, feel encouraged to engage in meaningful community-building activities that boost their health and wellbeing, and are aware of all the opportunities to practice self-care on campus.

On a weekly basis, students are encouraged to take a break from their busy schedules at the Wellness Studio’s “Relaxation Zone,” where they can practise mindful meditation, engage in gentle stretching, practice breathing exercises, draw, journal, and connect with their peers. Throughout the school year, students can also participate in a variety of events that offer a range of therapeutic benefits. These events include a “Farm-Friends Visit” where students experienced the joys of animal-assisted therapy, and a “Picnic & Play” event where participants enjoyed the stress-relieving benefits of light exercise on a beautiful sunny day.

While staff and faculty may not have the same access to resources as students, there are many things we can do on campus that address our health and wellness and boost our resilience to life’s stressors. If you are interested in getting started on your self-care journey, here are some quick and easy activities which can be done at your desk, on campus during your lunch break, or before/after work. You can:

• Do some gentle stretches at your desk.
• Explore Kelly Library’s Rare Book Collection.
• Check out the events happening at Hart House.
• Utilize the light therapy lamps at Robarts library.
• Listen to guided mindfulness meditations or breathing exercises.
• Enjoy the meditation/prayer/quiet rooms at the Multi-Faith Centre.
• Check out the beautiful green spaces around St. Mike’,  U of T, and Queen’s Park.
• Apply your staff and faculty discount toward a Sport & Rec membership which gives you access to gym and strength-training facilities, women-only drop-ins, drop-in sports and lane swimming, a steam room, and family programs where children get-in for free!

When trying these new activities, it is important to remember that different types of practices address different areas of our lives; what works for one person might not work for you, and self-care activities are most effective when done consistently. With this in mind, try a broad range of activities that support your mental and physical wellbeing, be honest about your likes and dislikes, and give yourself time to notice the cumulative effects of daily self-care! I want to wish everyone a happy World Mental Health Day. I hope that everyone is able to check out the events happening on campus and discover self-care activities that support your mental and physical wellbeing, boost your resilience, and help you move closer toward your personal health and wellness goals!

Experience what the St. Mike’s Wellness Studio has to offer! 

During Wellness Week, the Wellness Studio will be brought to you so that staff and faculty can avail themselves of two regularly scheduled studio classes that showcase the expertise and dedication of our amazing instructors- including SMC’s very own Professor Jean-Olivier Richard. 

Staff, faculty, and community members are most welcome to attend these two (free!) drop-in classes to see and experience the quality of wellness classes offered on a weekly basis…right here on our campus!

Mindful Moments Yoga with Veronika Vernassa  

Wednesday, January 24

4:00-5:00pm

Charbonnel Lounge

Instructor Veronika Vernassa will lead participants in an evening meditative yoga practice, incorporating gentle stretching, breath awareness, and mindfulness. This is a drop-in class, no previous experience is provided. A yoga mat will be supplied. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a reusable water bottle.

Tai Chi with Jean-OlivierRichard

Thursday, January 25

5:30-6:30pm

Charbonnel Lounge 

Tai Chi and Da Cheng Chuan are Chinese Martial Arts that incorporates standing postures and full body movements. Come try out something new, move your body, and learn a new way of de-stressing. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your own reusable water bottle. 

#OnMyMind

On Wednesday, January 24, let’s talk about what’s on your mind. Come out to engage in important conversation, enjoy snacks, and help destigmatize mental health and help seeking together in community. Drop by between 12:30-2pm in the Desanti lobby.  

(Originally published in St. Michael’s Fall 2022 Alumni magazine)

St. Mike’s has always placed concern for students’ physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing at the heart of each and every decision. But the months and years of COVID have presented our students with unprecedented challenges as they have coped with the upheaval, uncertainty, and isolation caused by the pandemic, a sudden reality that has only added to the stress many students feel today.

Over the past several years, the number of university and college students in Canada with identified mental health issues has more than doubled. The number of students reporting anxiety, depression and suicide attempts have risen dramatically. A focus on the health and wellbeing of young people is central to realizing their potential. That’s why St. Mike’s views student wellbeing through a broad lens. Students at St. Mike’s have access to the full mental health supports at the University of Toronto, which includes U of T’s commitment to same-day counselling services supports students’ acute needs during crisis and is delivered virtually—the location of these supports has become irrelevant.

St. Mike’s recognizes the tremendous value of the crisis support provided by U of T, and we also remain committed to continuing our approach of providing person-alized support and a robust suite of activities that support students through critical moments while developing coping skills that will last a lifetime. Among our supports we offer:

A Wellness Counsellor provides clinical support and/or counselling services to students who are experiencing personal, social and/or educational distress;

The First-Year Check-in Program pairs incoming students with a professor to demystify the relationship and enhance connections within the St. Mike’s community;

The St. Mike’s Mentorship Program pairs trained, upper-year students who model positive qualities with first-year students to foster personalized relationships;

Commuter Dons and Residence Dons connect students to the larger St. Mike’s community;

Safetalk training is provided to all student leaders and Dons, and on request to other members of the St. Mike’s community, to empower everyone to play a role in suicide prevention by recognizing the signs that someone is in distress;

St. Mike’s Wellness Council, a student initiative, is dedicated to providing students access to wellness-based events;

The Student Wellness Studio supports wellness programming such as mindfulness, yoga, and physical activities;

Spiritual support is delivered through St. Mike’s Campus Ministry, St. Basil’s, and connections to multi-faith and Indigenous groups at U of T Academic Support and Advising comes via relation-ships built with professors, mentors and peers, as well as a range of services such as the Writing Centre; and Emergency bursaries offer financial support.

Being Well at St. Mike’s: Should you wish to learn more about how you can help, please contact the Advancement Team at 416-926-1300, email smc.annualfund@utoronto.ca or visit the U of T Giving Day page.

As vaccination rates go up and the possibility of in-campus classes increases, students, staff and faculty are thinking about what a transition back to campus may entail – including the mental health challenges that may accompany finding new routines for in-person learning and events.

It’s with this transition in mind that Joshua De Jesus, President of St. Mike’s Wellness Council, has worked with the club to introduce a new annual convention focused on mental health and wellness. “Dignity of the Student: Reimagining Student Leadership” begins today and will run through Sunday, July 11, with each day dedicated to a tenet of dialogue: listening, discussing, and action. The central theme of the convention is the integration of wellness into student leadership.

“Students have always had the challenge of balancing academics with their extracurriculars, but with all of this year’s extra concerns – international students concerned about flying over, students in residence thinking about how to approach living on campus, and so forth – I think we might find student leaders struggling with their own wellness,” De Jesus says. “That’s why we’re making an effort with this convention to empower student leadership and figure out how student leaders can both advocate for wellness while taking care of their own wellness.”

The convention will begin with a Day One program dedicated to “listening,” with remarks from six speakers, including St. Michael’s President David Sylvester; UofT Vice Dean, Undergraduate and former St. Michael’s Principal Randy Boyagoda; and St. Mike’s Wellness Counsellor Nicole LeBlanc. “We deliberately chose speakers representing a range of experiences and styles of leadership and engagement,” De Jesus says, in order to create a diverse context for discussion.

That discussion is the central focus for Day Two, when club members will have opportunities to reflect on the presentations while bringing forward wellness initiatives they would like to pursue in the coming academic year. Five-minute presentations will lead into conversations in which all members will be able to offer feedback and potentially their own help in carrying out the initiatives during the year.

The student-driven approach to both programming and roles within St. Mike’s Wellness Council is the product of a recent “remodeling” of the three-year-old club. Formal titles and roles were reduced to bare essentials, and students are now able to join and define their own roles and initiatives, which De Jesus sees as a means of encouraging students to bring forward their own passions and interests into their work.

“There are no ‘sitting duck’ roles,” De Jesus says. “No club member is there for a title, but each one is associated with an initiative or wellness option.” After the remodel, the club was reduced to three roles. There are now 15 students involved.

On the third day of the convention, those students will bring forward the full agreed-upon slate of initiatives for the club, announcing the actions resulting from the dialogue of the preceding days and setting a plan for the unique year ahead. De Jesus hopes that the event will become an annual occurrence, and a regular check-in on how mental health and wellness are being incorporated into the life of the college.

“Dignity of the Student: Reimagining Student Leadership” will take place from July 9 to 11.

Committed to cultivating a healthy, welcoming, and supportive community, the University of St. Michael’s College works with the University of Toronto to provide a variety of resources to help students in the areas of mental health and wellness. A list of these resources can be found on the Health and Wellness Resources page. 

Any student, regardless of where they are in the world, can get immediate assistance through U of T My SSP, a confidential and secure number where counsellors are available to text or speak over the phone. Good2Talk is another helpline resource available 24/7 to post-secondary students in Canada; a text-to-chat version is also available. Other phone services are available for any student who is themselves in distress or who knows someone who is.  

Because of how many resources and support services are available at U of T, it can take a bit of guidance to navigate them all. The University’s mental health services site, U of T Student Life’s Health & Wellness Centre, and NAVI, a new mental health wayfinder, each helps students find services that fit their unique needs. Several topical resources provide students with targeted help in a variety of circumstances ranging from a desire to quit smoking to finding support for international students or connecting with a spiritual community.  

St. Michael’s students also benefit from a variety of support services offered through the College. Wellness Counsellor Nicole LeBlanc welcomes St. Mike’s students and residents to set up a half-hour online appointment with her through email. She draws from psychodynamic, EMDR, person-centred, CBT and solution-focused therapeutic frameworks, and services are offered with complete confidentiality according to the Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA). Learn more about Nicole’s practice.  

The Office of the Dean of Students makes peer-to-peer support available through the Mentorship Program, which pairs incoming students with upper-year students who can connect them to academic and wellness-focused resources, and the Commuter Don and Residence Don teams, which connect students in their constituencies to the larger St. Michael’s community. The St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) has recently voted to elect two new positions for the 2021-22 academic year: a Vice President of Mental Health and Accessibility, and a Vice President of International Community Outreach. SMCSU also provides funding for student-led groups such as St. Mike’s Wellness Council and SMC Inclusive. 

The Office of the Registrar and Student Services makes available academic success learning strategists, accessibility advisors, and career educators to every St. Michael’s student. The office’s ask.smc@utoronto.ca email address provides a single point of access to these and other services through the office. For students who need help with writing papers for their classes, the John M. Kelly Library offers one-on-one appointments through the Writing Centre. More focused research assistance is also available.