Past events:
2019-2020
Ryan Dowd Mental Health/Homelessness Webinar Workshop
Thursday, March 12, 4-7pm
Bissell 7th floor Student Lounge
MISC’s iStudents for Mental Health Committee is excited to host Ryan Dowd, author of “The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness,” for a private 3-hour workshop for iSchool students. This interactive webinar/training session with Ryan Dowd (www.homelesslibrary.com/about.html) will give you practical tools for resolving problems and deescalating conflict. After this training, you will have more confidence with homeless patrons. This training is based on the American Library Association book, “The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness.” Refreshments provided.
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iColour
Thursday, February 27, 4-6pm
BL 705A (Student Lounge)
Colour is an integral part of our mental perceptions and experiences in the world. iColour is a drop-in colouring and painting workshop that provides a mindful space for iSchool students to meditate, destress, and explore the mind with colours. Art supplies provided. Any iSchool community members are welcome to attend.
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iShare Series
Introducing iShare, a monthly event where you can connect with iSchool students, faculty, and staff to discuss mental health. Each session will have a theme. iMH will provide healthy snacks and fun gift bags for attendees!
Please note that neither the GradCRC nor iMH are mental health care providers, and iShare is not a counseling session but a space for dialog. For urgent mental health concerns, please visit http://safety.utoronto.ca or dial the Good 2 Talk free post-secondary helpline (1-866-925-5454). In an emergency dial 911 or Campus Police at 416-978-2222.
iShare #1: Communication Strategies for Group Work
February 13, 12-1pm
BL 728
Group work is a significant part of life here at the iSchool, and learning to navigate its challenges is essential to success in university and beyond. The Graduate Conflict Resolution Centre will facilitate this session of iShare, with the aim of building helpful strategies to ensure positive and productive work. Any iSchool community members are welcome to attend, but this session is geared towards students.
iShare #2: Mental Health at the iSchool: Barriers & Resources
Thursday, March 5, 12-1pm
BL 728
This iShare session is for all iSchool students, faculty, and staff. It will be facilitated by Lena Zhao and Val Masters, co-chairs of iStudents for Mental Health. The aim is to open up the conversation around mental health and identify barriers to mental health and wellness for different segments of the community (e.g. part-time students, commuters, international, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and more).
iShare #3: Mental Health in the Workplace (CANCELED)
In Partnership with Liam O’Leary, Graduate Programming Coordinator
Thursday, March 26, 12-1pm
BL 307 (Former Interaction and Usability Lab)
The final iShare session of the semester is intended to open up conversations around mental health beyond graduate school. This session will be most useful for second-year students and others entering the workforce, but would greatly benefit from the input of students, faculty, and staff with experience navigating this issue.
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iMH Members Meeting
Wednesday, January 29th, 12-1pm
BL 538
A general iMH meeting to get members oriented to our efforts for the year. We will discuss the Mental Health Task Force report and ask for members who would be interested in getting involved with the committee. Needed roles include instagram/facebook manager, website updater, and event food procurer.
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2018-2019
Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2019
iMH Presentation featuring Kathleen Scheaffer
Student Mental Health: Promotion, Advocacy, & Education
Date: Friday February 1 @ 2pm – 2:40pm
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 203CD
The goal of this session is to describe the work that iStudents for Mental Health (University of Toronto) have been doing by promoting student mental health and wellness, advocating for campus-wide student mental health supports, and pursuing education opportunities in Mental Health First Aid for our colleagues.
Attendees will learn the value that student leadership brings to these activities, with special attention paid to the skill set and perspective of iSchool and Library School students.
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Safe TALK Workshop iSkills
Date: Saturday January⋅19 @1pm – 4pm
Location: Bissell Building, Inforum
This workshop is focused on connecting those with thoughts of suicide to helpers who are prepared to provide first-aid interventions.
The workshop is facilitated by UofT staff as is part of a University-wide suicide prevention strategy. Through examples in video, small group discussion and scenario practice, participants will learn practical steps to help activate a suicide alert that connects people having thoughts of suicide with more specialized intervention care and relevant resources.
All participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the whole training. If you arrive late to the session, or leave early, you will not receive the safeTALK certificate.
The safeTALK workshop was designed by Living Works, international leaders in suicide prevention programs.
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2017-2018
Study Music Listening & Studying Session
Date: Friday Nov 23 @ 5pm – 7pm
Location: Room 728
Working on an assignment? Yup, probably !
Join fellow Information students working on projects at the Study Music Listening & Study session this Friday November 23rd, 5pm – 7pm, Room 728.
Soft Jazz and music requests. Fruit, tea, and pizza
See you there!
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Mental Health Activism Strategy Session, and Study Music Listening & Study Session
Date: Friday Nov 2nd, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, then 6 PM – 8 PM
Locations: University College Commuter Student Centre (79 St. George St), then Bissell Building, Room 728
Join iStudents for Mental Health at a strategy session hosted by our friends: the UC Lit – Mental Wellness Commission 2018-19.
Reducing wait-times at Health and Wellness, eradicating the Mandated Leave policy, tackling stigma on mental wellness at UofT… These are issues that require discussion, debate, and planning if we intend to address and challenge them effectively. Join the Mental Wellness Commission 2018-19 in their first strategizing meeting of the year. A parfait bar will also be provided for you to fuel your body and mind!
https://www.facebook.com/events/683815075338472/
Following this, iStudents for Mental Health will head to the Bissell Building for another edition of Study Music Listening & Study Session, 6 PM – 8 PM, Room 728
Working on an assignment? Yup, probably !
Join your fellow Information students reading and writing to soft jazz and snacks this Friday. As always, fruit, tea, and pizza provided
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Workshop on Balancing School, Work, and Life
Date: Tuesday October 16th, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Location: Multi-Faith Centre Main Activity Hall (569 Spadina Avenue, 2nd Floor)
Join us to reflect on your strengths and learn practical strategies to manage time and accomplish your goals.
To register, email Rouya at Rouya.Botlani.Esfahani@utoronto.ca Please include any accommodations you may require to participate in this workshop.
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Study Music Listening & Studying Session (Halloween edition)
Date: Friday Oct 19th @ 5pm – 8pm
Location: Room 728
Working on an assignment? Yup, probably !
Join your fellow Information students working on projects at the Study Music Listening and Studying Session this Friday evening. Drop by any time between 5-8pm
Playlist will include soft Jazz and music requests.
*Snacks, tea, and pizza provided* (Snacks will include homemade pumpkin, banana muffins, in the spirit of the Halloween season. o0o0o…)
Contact Robyn.Forman@utoronto.ca with other Halloween theme suggestions, or for more info on iStudents for Mental Health projects!
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Study Music Listening & Studying Session
Date: Friday Oct 5 @ 5-9pm
Location: Room 728
Working on an assignment? Yup, probably !
Join your fellow Information students working on projects at the Study Music Listening and Studying Session this Friday night. Drop by any time between 5-9pm
Playlist will include Classical music (Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Satie), lo-fi experimental electronic music (including local Toronto acts), and music requests !
*Snacks, tea, and pizza provided*
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September 26 iTea
Topic: Mental Health & Wellness
Hosted by: iStudents for Mental Health, and School of Graduate Studies student wellness ambassadors
Time: 4:30-5:30pm
Where: Inforum (4th floor)
Our first iTea social gathering will take place in the Inforum on September 26th from 4:30-5:30pm. All Faculty of Information students are welcome and are encouraged to attend this very special event.
The theme of this event is ‘Five Ways to Well Being’ and guest speakers from the School of Graduate studies will cover topics such as, making connections, how to give back, how to be physically active, how to keep learning, and how to notice things (mindfulness).
Healthy snacks will be provided and this event is free of charge. Please make sure you can attend.
Event link: https://ischool.utoronto.ca/event/sept-26th-itea/
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Mental Health First Aid Training Scholarship for Librarians and Information Professionals
Future information professionals, interested in public service or community building work? Looking to do some professional development this spring/summer?
iStudents for Mental Health is offering two full scholarships to mental health first aid training with the Mental Health Commission of Canada http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca/en
Open to all current students of the Master of Information or Concurrent Registration Option program at the UofT iSchool.
Write 300-500 words explaining how mental health First Aid training is important to your goals as an information professional.
Include your name, concentration, and year of study.
Deadline: April 6th, 2018
Email to: MISC@utoronto.ca
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) offers occupational training for public service workers to know how to respond to patrons in crisis, distress, or in need of resources – the goal to develop a level of compassion and understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health, and the complexities of support services.
MHCC offers these two-day training sessions throughout the year, in Toronto and across Canada. The training ranges from $150-$350.
iStudents for Mental Health (the Mental Health Working Group of MiSC) is offering full scholarships to cover the cost of training (plus stipend of $33 for lunch, transportation, etc.) for three successful applicants.
Scholarships will be awarded in mid-April for recipients to register for a training session at a date of their choosing this spring or summer.
For further information, contact Robyn.Forman@utoronto.ca or MartaCooper.Burt@mail.utoronto.ca
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Panel Discussion on UofT’s Proposed Mandatory Leave Policy
Friday January 12th, 2018
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Bissell Building, 140 St. George street,
4th Floor (Inforum Library), room 419
Join us at the Faculty of Information for a panel discussion on student mental health at UofT. We will begin with an overview of U of T’s 2014 ‘Student Mental Health Strategy and Framework’ research report and recommendations, and review of key contents of the proposed Mandated Leave Policy.
Coffee, tea, and snacks provided
RSVP to Facebook or Eventbrite https://paneldiscussionmandatoryleavepolicy.eventbrite.ca/
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Dress Drive
November 17, 2017 – February 1, 2018
Location: Centre for Indigenous Studies, 563 Spadina Ave
Hosted by the Centre for Indigenous Studies
In April 2018, Sandy Lake First Nation will be holding a prom for high school students. Unfortunately, because they are a fly-in community, students have limited shopping options. The Centre for Indigenous Studies is collecting donations of formal wear (dresses, shoes, dress pants, shirts, ties, etc.) to send to Sandy Lake.
If you have any items that you would like to donate, please schedule a drop-off time with Dhanela or Jenny at jenny.blackbird@utoronto.ca OR sage@utoronto.ca.
Accepting donations until February 1st, 2018 at 3:00pm.
Event Link: http://indigenousstudies.utoronto.ca/event/dress-drive/
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Surviving Together; A Self-Advocacy Workshop for Indigenous Students
Friday, January 19, 2018
12 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: First Nations House Lounge, 563 Spadina Avenue, 3rd floor. Accessible entrance located on Bancroft Avenue
Hosted by Students for Barrier-Free Access and the Centre for Indigenous Studies
Everyone is welcome to this student-led orientation. Join us for lunch, meet other students, and learn more about self-advocacy and resources for disabled students on campus.
Topics covered at the orientation:
* Know Your Rights as a disabled student – presentation by ARCH Disability Law Centre *
* Self-advocacy and navigating academic accommodations *
* Introduction to campus resources and services for disabled students *
* Introduction to Students for Barrier-Free Access’ resources and services *
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/391351901286358/
iStudents for Mental Health 