Red River College hosts mental health awareness week in November with student and administration support.
by Brianne Fiebelkorn
On Oct. 3, Movies for Mental Health was hosted by Art With Impact and RRC. Students gathered around TV’s in the Cave Lounge at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus to focus on lessening the stigma around mental health through film and discussion.
Attendance for events focused on mental health have a higher turnout at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus than the Exchange District Campus, according to Breanna Sawatzky, RRC’s Mental Health Coordinator.
Red River College students gathered in the Exchange District Campus’s Dining Hall to paint with Painting on the Prairies. /BRIANNE FIEBELKORN
Sawatzky said because of low turnout at the EDC’s mental health events last year and the cost of hosting Movies for Mental Health, it was not offered in the EDC. She is hoping to bring back Movies for Mental Health in 2019, and for it to be offered to NDC and the EDC.
“Students have told me they felt less alone with their mental health and welcomed the opportunity to talk openly about that,” said Sawatzky.
RRC hosted THRIVE Week from Nov. 5 to 9, a week that holds events encouraging students to talk about their mental health and meet other people on their campus. Sawatzky hoped this year’s turn out would be bigger than last year when events received little attention from students. Sawatzky attributes the low turnouts to campus size and differences in scheduling.
Some students at the EDC say they’re happy about THRIVE Week but some are unaware of it.
Payton Bruchanski, a Business Information Technology student at the EDC says he hasn’t heard of THRIVE Week but is interested in the concept. He said it’s hard to meet people outside his faculty and thinks events that help students lessen stress and connect are a good idea.
Mario De Negri held a workshop on Mindfulness at the Exchange District Campus, for THRIVE Week. /BRIANNE FIEBELKORN
EDC’s THRIVE Week hosted a paint night, laughter yoga and “speed friending.” Keep an eye on RRC’s events page for more information about upcoming events.
