In the final episode of Season 1 of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Lisa Greig who is a social worker and works as an outreach coordinator in the Student Affairs and Outreach team at the University. They have a frank conversation about bereavement, grief and loss. They explore the five stages of grief; why death remains so taboo; how the nature of a person’s death plays a significant role in our grief response; and an exploration of our search for meaning following a death-loss. They also discuss practical supports available on campus, including the Grief 101 group which Lisa leads.

Students can connect with the Student Affairs and Outreach team at:

Tel: 306-966-5757

Mental health intake: [email protected]

Outreach and crisis support: [email protected]

URL: https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/student-affairs-and-outreach.php

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm. For after-hours support, contact Saskatoon Mobile Crisis at 306-933-6200 or Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566

Instructors and staff can access supports through the Employee and Family Assistance Program:

https://wellness.usask.ca/documents/efap.pdf

External resources mentioned in the episode:

Podcast Episode: Grief and Finding Meaning - Brené Brown and David Kessler: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/david-kessler-and-brene-on-grief-and-finding-meaning/

Website: Refuge in Grief - Megan Devine: https://refugeingrief.com/

TED Talk: Nora McInerny: We Don’t Move on From Grief We Move Forward With It. https://www.ted.com/talks/nora_mcinerny_we_don_t_move_on_from_grief_we_move_forward_with_it?language=en

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, guest host Tracy Spencer talks to Tasnim Jaisee, the coordinator of the USSU Women’s Centre, and Brittany Thiessen, a graduate student researching sexual violence prevention and interventions. They discuss #metoo movement and its impact, the prevalence of sexual violence, how intersectionality relates to sexualized violence, and efforts at the University to increase awareness and prevent sexualized violence including online learning modules and the events being offered through the USSU for Sexual Violence Awareness week.

For those who are victims survivors of sexual violence, you can contact the Student Affairs and Outreach team by calling (306) 966-5757 or emailing us at [email protected]. You can also reach out the to the Student Wellness Centre (306) 966-5768, the Saskatoon Sexual Assault and Information Centre (306) 244-2224, USSU Pride Centre (306) 966-6615, and / or the USSU Women’s Centre (306) 966-6980. Please reach out.

More information can be found at: https:// usask.ca/consent

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Matt Wolsfeld, the Community Engagement Coordinator in the Office of Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. They discuss our responsibility for safeguarding the planet, and why  human nature makes this so challenging. They also explore why the human race doesn’t panic about and respond to the climate crisis like it has done with COVID-19.   

The Office of Sustainability's mission is to build a model sustainable campus through community engagement and collaborative action.  We strive to foster growth of a culture of sustainability throughout all areas of campus life—education, research,  operations, governance and community engagement. More information can be found at:https://sustainability.usask.ca/  Students,  staff, and faculty can contact the team at:[email protected] Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast  team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Pam Komonoski who is the Nurse Practitioner at the Student Wellness Centre and has been serving students at the University for over 30 years. They discuss the changing health needs of students in the post-secondary environment and the way this has changed the work of health professionals who support them. Pam also shares some strategies for improved health outcomes related to coping with stress and isolation, changing work and life patterns, diet, physical activity and rest.

The Student Wellness Centre is a primary healthcare unit based on the main USASK campus in Saskatoon. The multi-disciplinary team offers urgent and non-urgent physical and mental health care to University of Saskatchewan students, their spouses and children.

Students can contact the team by phone or e-mail as follows:

Tel: +1-306-966-5768

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/wellness-centre.php

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Jonathan Winston, the Vice-President of ComPsych, which is the University of Saskatchewan partner organization delivering the GuidanceResources Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). They talk about the EFAP provided by ComPsych in partnership with the University, and outline key supports to ensure staff and faculty understand what services are available through the program, especially those supports that people may not be aware they have access to.

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Ken MacLeod who is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist providing care at the Student Wellness Centre. They explore the value of re-connecting with nature for greater health and well-being.

The Student Wellness Centre is a primary healthcare unit based on the main USASK campus in Saskatoon. The multi-disciplinary team offers urgent and non-urgent physical and mental health care to University of Saskatchewan students, their spouses and children.

Students can contact the team by phone or e-mail as follows:

Tel: +1-306-966-5768

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/wellness-centre.php

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Sit Spots Articles:

Why and how you should start a sit-spot routine

https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/blogs/how-find-sit-spot-and-start-sit-spot-routine?fbclid=IwAR3fjWI-F4r7o92fMlW-u509X8sXz7_y5k_t-U8X1gpg-f0RAGuUs_ZFO4E

Complete Guide to Using a Sit Spot in Nature

https://nature-mentor.com/sit-spot/?fbclid=IwAR1VFgIp8HBNdE5cyfSbQ2khiCEmq3Mnvr6IUSZy-CJJdXAEHupwjvIyP6k

Related Videos:

How to Receive Revelations from Nature with Stephan Harding

https://youtu.be/YzeW1jc7fX0

RE(CONNECT)

https://youtu.be/HqErYbUpKRs

Sampling of Research Articles on the Value of Nature Connection

Why 30 Minutes of Nature a Day Is So Good for Your Health

https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2019/04/10/health-nature-science-outside/?fbclid=IwAR1ugY_QrkFJ2FfUaZtsXgdf1lbnfgjMJR9mrrZy_nhzMVMlC261EAxzV-w

Beyond Nature Contact to Connection: A Missing Link in a Sustainable and Worthwhile Life.

https://findingnature.org.uk/2020/02/13/a-missing-link-in-a-sustainable-and-worthwhile-life/

Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College-Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02942/full?fbclid=IwAR3g4HfHLjr_lw8UXNOG2NFrX6FwRq7Big1oz1TaqZ2LVh9E2V44VQQ1ies

Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/7/eaax0903

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Heaven Berhe, the President of the African Students Association at the University. They discuss racism and how we can have uncomfortable and important conversations in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

USASK African Students Association:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uofsasa/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asausask/?hl=en

USASK Discrimination and Harassment Prevention:

https://wellness.usask.ca/safety/discrimination-harassment.php

USASK Student Affairs and Outreach:

https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/student-affairs-and-outreach.php

USSU: https://ussu.ca/

GSA: https://gsa.usask.ca/

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Dr. Regan Mandryk who is a professor in Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Mandryk’s work is at the international forefront of research studying human-computer interaction. Within the context of video games, she explores the novel ways of understanding players and their experiences. She also develops and evaluates games for preventing, assessing, and treating mental health and games that foster interpersonal relationships. They discuss the ways in which video games can contribute to social connection and positive mental health.

Dr. Mandryk on social play (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmLMSUiARco

Dr. Mandryk’s papers can all be found at: https://goo.gl/PPifWA

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Garry Gable who has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Music for over 25 years. They explore how the COVID-19 situation has affected the creative industries and those that work within them. They also discuss mental health and the healing and transformative power of music in our lives, both individually and as a shared experience. Garry also shares his talent for music with us.

USASK Department of Music: https://artsandscience.usask.ca/music/

Mysterious Barricades Concert Society: https://www.mysteriousbarricades.org/

In this episode of ‘Be Well at USASK’, Peter talks to Dr. John Matic, the Senior Physician at the USASK Student Wellness Centre. They discuss the medical response to COVID-19, the potential for a second wave as the province begins to re-open, and ways in which we can continue to be mindful about keeping ourselves and one another safe and healthy. We also talk about some of the ways in which family physicians can support student mental health.

The Student Wellness Centre is a primary healthcare unit based on the main USASK campus in Saskatoon. The multi-disciplinary team offers urgent and non-urgent physical and mental health care to University of Saskatchewan students, their spouses and children.

Students can contact the team by phone or e-mail as follows:

Tel: +1-306-966-5768

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/wellness-centre.php

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Share your thoughts and ideas with the ‘Be Well at USASK’ podcast team at: [email protected]