Programs - Student Wellness Centre

GradChats: Drop-in for Graduate Students

Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm

Location: Virtual

GradChats is a biweekly casual, virtual space for graduate students to connect across shared experiences of a general theme. A graduate student from the SWC’s Graduate Wellness Team will be co-facilitating the drop-in each week, alongside Zeinab Khawaja (she/they), a Health Promoter at the SWC. Students who join will be able to walk away with…

ACT on Anxiety

Wednesdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

Participants will learn Acceptance & Commitment Therapy strategies to decrease the impact of anxious thoughts, feelings, sensations and memories on living a valued life. For more information contact Carla Glanville at Glanvic@mcmaster.ca

DBT: Interpersonal Effectiveness

Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

DBT- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Learning strategies to help navigate all relationships; by asking for what you need, saying no and yes in line with your boundaries and negotiating conflict. This group will include learning and using a few distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills to help manage the emotional intensity that can arise when facing interpersonal difficulties as…

Managing Your Worry and Anxiety

Mondays 1:30 - 3:00pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

The managing your worry and anxiety group is a 4 session in person psychoeducational group with about 10-12 participants. In this group, participants learn tips and tricks to manage anxiety/stress as well as some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts. CBT is an evidence-based treatment for anxiety as well as other difficulties with mood. For…

Mend Your Mood

Fridays 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

This group will focus on developing a better understanding of depression while learning evidence-based skills to change patterns that trigger depression symptoms. Pre-group meeting required. For more information, email Michelle Charles (MSW, RSW) at charles2@mcmaster.ca.

Walk in Nature

Thursdays 12:30pm-1:30pm

Location: In Person

Connect with nature and leave your worries behind as you unwind on a walk through Cootes Paradise! Lead by a Health Promoter from the Student Wellness Centre, you’ll go on an 50-minute walk through Cootes Paradise and meet new people! Learn new skills from some mindfulness exercises, make new friends, and connect with the beautiful…

Free Fruit Fridays

Fridays Starting at 9am (while quantities last)

Location: Wellness Lounge - PGCLL 201

Need more fruits in your diet? Drop by the Wellness Lounge for some free fruit on Fridays!

Food for Thought: Cooking Classes

Various Times

Location: In-person Cooking Sessions

Cooking Classes Learn cooking skills in a relaxed and interactive environment. These cooking sessions will provide the opportunity to explore and practice topics related to cooking skills, knife skills, meal planning, nutrition, and food safety. Join us to learn useful kitchen skills and meet new people who are looking to learn as well. All skill…

StressLess - Drop In

Mondays, 12:30-1:20pm

Location: In Person

The StressLess drop-in session is an opportunity to explore not just how to manage your stress, but also why you might get so stressed out in the first place. Using an anti-colonial framework, we informally discuss themes such as motivation, rest, pressure, fear of failure, and anxiety. We will explore nervous system regulation and stress…

Grief Support Circle Drop-In

Thursdays, 2:30PM to 4:00PM (Monthly)

Location: In Person: PGCLL 201 (Wellness Lounge) Rm. 206

A mutual support group for students who are experiencing loss or anticipatory grief due to the death of a loved one. Find support through: facilitated reflective exercises, education about grief and loss, peer sharing and support, creative exercises, mindfulness and self-compassion based exercises. Occurs on the following dates: September 7th, October 5th, November 2nd, and…

Love Better - A Healthy Relationships Group

Wednesdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

In this 5-week group, participants will learn to identify the differences between healthy and unhealthy romantic relationships. Group topics will cover the following: the qualities of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, red flags to watch for in dating relationships, how the past affects dating relationships, strategies to make relationships last, and the importance of self-reflection to…

Stepping Out of Social Anxiety

Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:30pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

Using CBT and Exposure Therapy skills, participants will learn practical ways to cope with socially anxious thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. To register email Mallory Kohn-Wolter at Kohnwolm@mcmaster.ca

Calm Yoga & Mindfulness Skills

Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:30pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

The focus of this gentle Mindful Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga group is to tune into breath, body, sensations, thoughts and emotions, and practice in a way that promotes stress-relief. Learn skills to aid in self-awareness and to make supportive choices that can have a calming effect on the mind and body. These skills can help…

Embracing Gender Diversity

Wednesdays, 3pm-4:30pm

Location: PGCLL 206 (inside the Wellness Lounge)

This in person drop-in group is for gender-diverse and gender-questioning students to connect with other like-minded students and explore gender identity. Drop In Dates: September 20 - October 25 Registration Dates: November 1 - December 6 If you have any questions about this group program, please email Michael Morton at mortom3@mcmaster.ca -------------------------------------------- Starting Nov. 8th,…

The Black X-Scape

Wednesday (Bi-Weekly), 10:30am - 12:30pm

Location: In Person

The Black X-Scape is a student led mental health peer support group that offers space for Black students to have safe and liberating discussions about mental health and healing. Black students can freely express themselves, have conversations on the nuances of mental health, wellness, stigma, and more. Sharing resources, support, coping skills and collective healing,…

MacSecrets 2022

Read Now: MacSecrets Booklet MacSecrets is an annual campaign that allows students to share their emotions, struggles, and advice. The goal of this initiative is to show students that they are not alone and give them a place to safely (and anonymously) share their feelings. This year, we asked you to tell us about your experiences…

Real Men Talk: Entering the Discomfort Zone

Real Men Talk: Entering The Discomfort Zone' - a panel event focused on destigmatizing men's mental health and being vulnerable as a man. Co-moderated by Zeinab Khawaja and Patrick Ang from the SWC, our panel featured Simoni Lawrence and Dane Evans who are both players for the Hamilton Tiger-cats, and Dr. Rodrigo Narro Pérez, a…

WOW SAME - Pride Month Edition

The “Wow, Same” initiative was an opportunity for the McMaster & 2SLGBTQIA+ community to help break down feelings of isolation tied to sexualities and gender identities. Students anonymously shared their stories to help normalize sexual experiences. READ THE STORIES NOW.... Prompt 1: Tell us about an awkward, embarrassing, or funny intimate experience of yours. Prompt…

WOW, SAME.

Read the submissions of your peers to our sexual health initiative, "Wow, same". This is a set of booklets aiming to normalize funny sexual experiences, body insecurities, and the changes that COVID-19 have brought to our sex lives. Booklet 1: Wow, same. Funny Stories Booklet 2: Wow, Same. Insecurities Booklet 3: Wow, Same. COVID Changes.

Mactivate Your Mind, Body, & Spirit

Location: The Pulse

Mactivate Your Mind, Body, & Spirit is an Exercise and Wellness Referral Program Mactivate is a program that features a proactive approach to mental health. It is a partnership between Athletics & Recreation, Student Wellness, and other student service areas, to support McMaster students by providing them with opportunities and access to consistent and regular…

Home Cooked at Mac

The McMaster Student Wellness Centre is extremely excited to have introduced Home-cooked at Mac in the Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 terms. Thank you to the McMaster Okanagan Committee for funding this program, supporting its development, and maintaining their endearing commitment to our community’s health and well-being. What is Home-cooked at Mac? There are…

McMaster Community Fridge

Location: Behind Mills Library

The McMaster Community Fridge is a 24/7 accessible outdoor fridge, freezer, and pantry complex located behind Mills library, facing the parking lot. The food and toiletries found inside are stocked by the community, for the community to address the growing concern of food insecurity facing those at McMaster and the surrounding neighbourhoods. Our core value…

DBT: Skills Group

Mondays 3:30-5:15pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

The DBT Skills group is focused on providing 10-12 participants the opportunity to learn new strategies and skills to help manage intense emotions. Dialectical behaviour therapy teaches us how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate emotions and improve relationships with others. Participants will engage in mindfulness practices in each session…

ADHD Support

Thursdays, 3:30pm-5:00pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

For students who relate to/identify with ADHD symptoms, diagnosis not required. A safe space for students to listen, share and support one another while navigating university life dealing with similar challenges and strengths related to ADHD wiring. Providing opportunities for growth and improvement in how we see ourselves. Discussion topics covered: Week 1- What is…

Visit with Biscuit: McMaster's Therapy Dog

Tuesdays, 1:00pm-2:15pm (Monthly)

Location: PGCLL 201

Do you miss your dog back home? Are you grieving your dog? Did you always want a dog but never got one? Are you feeling stressed, depressed, or overtired? Biscuit is here to help with all of that and more!! Biscuit and her wonderful therapy partner Rev. Allison Barrett will be visiting the Student Wellness…

I'm Ready: HIV Self-Testing Program

Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am-4pm

Location: PGCLL 203 (Inside PGCLL 201)

I’m Ready to Know is about ending HIV in Canada with low-barrier access to self-testing and connections to care. I’m Ready to Know is a national program that is implementing, scaling-up and evaluating low-barrier options for access to HIV self-testing. The goal is to reach the undiagnosed and give people choices about how to connect…

Overcoming OCD

Fridays, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

This group will provide interested participants with a deeper understanding of OCD, how it works, & what individuals can do to try & manage their symptoms & triggers ‘at home’. Participation involves psychoeducation, skill building, & between group practicing of learned skills. Pre-group meeting (phone) required. For more information or to register contact Michael Morton at…

Boundaries of Our Own Design: Black, Indigenous Women & Femmes of Colour

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

The group will engage personal and collective understandings of our cultural context. We will focus on understanding our current boundaries and incorporating culturally attuned thinking. Our Own Design engages cultural nuances to help Black, Indigenous women and femmes of Colour learn effective boundary setting practices that support emotional well-being and promote healthy relationships. For more…

Realize: Substance Use Support Group

Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm (Monthly)

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

A support group for students who want to moderate or reduce their use of substances such as cannabis and alcohol. This will be a safe space to talk about substance use, without judgement, and learn about how to lower risks when consuming. For more information or to register contact gotonoxy@mcmaster.ca

Embracing Neuro-Diversity

Mondays, 3:30pm-5:00pm

Location: PGCLL 207 (inside the Wellness Lounge)

This is a biweekly drop in group for neurodiverse students (all are welcome - undergraduate, graduate, International, etc.) to connect over shared experiences navigating life and university. We will have a topic of discussion each session, but conversation will flow wherever participants take it. Fidget items will be available during the session for participants. Facilitators…

Neurodivergent Friendly DBT Techniques

Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30pm

Location: In Person (Registration Required)

You are not alone. How we are raised and the circumstances we are exposed to as children profoundly impact our personalities and how we respond to life's challenges. DBT techniques are skills for living a valued life. Meet others in a safe space to listen, share, and support one another and learn some skills. For…

Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: BSSC Communal Lounge, Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL), Mezzanine Floor, Rm M07

This drop-in support group allows Black-identifying students to have a space where their concerns – big or small – can be explored with peers as well as a trained Black Mental Health professional. Discussions will focus on emergent concerns that are meaningfully relevant to the Black student experience at McMaster University. The group format will…

Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location: BSSC Communal Lounge, Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL), Mezzanine Floor, Rm M07

This in-person support group is a space for any and all Black male identifying students. Meant to mirror the ease and authenticity of conversation in the cultural hub that is the barber shop, key topics include: Black masculinity, being “the only one,” healing generational trauma, relationships, as well as day-to-day stressors of student life. This…

International Food & Grocery Trips

Location: In Person (By Registration Only)

International, exchange and refugee students, join the SWC & International Student Experience for monthly grocery trips in Hamilton! Through these trips, you'll have the chance to connect to your own culture through familiar foods and ingredients. You will also learn about other cultural foods. You'll receive free food tastings and tips on grocery budgeting and…

GradChats: Drop-in for Graduate Students

Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm

ACT on Anxiety

Wednesdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM

DBT: Interpersonal Effectiveness

Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm

Managing Your Worry and Anxiety

Mondays 1:30 - 3:00pm

Mend Your Mood

Fridays 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Walk in Nature

Thursdays 12:30pm-1:30pm

Free Fruit Fridays

Fridays Starting at 9am (while quantities last)

Food for Thought: Cooking Classes

Various Times

StressLess - Drop In

Mondays, 12:30-1:20pm

Grief Support Circle Drop-In

Thursdays, 2:30PM to 4:00PM (Monthly)

Love Better - A Healthy Relationships Group

Wednesdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Stepping Out of Social Anxiety

Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:30pm

Calm Yoga & Mindfulness Skills

Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:30pm

Embracing Gender Diversity

Wednesdays, 3pm-4:30pm

The Black X-Scape

Wednesday (Bi-Weekly), 10:30am - 12:30pm

MacSecrets 2022

Real Men Talk: Entering the Discomfort Zone

WOW SAME - Pride Month Edition

WOW, SAME.

Mactivate Your Mind, Body, & Spirit

Home Cooked at Mac

McMaster Community Fridge

DBT: Skills Group

Mondays 3:30-5:15pm

ADHD Support

Thursdays, 3:30pm-5:00pm

Visit with Biscuit: McMaster's Therapy Dog

Tuesdays, 1:00pm-2:15pm (Monthly)

I'm Ready: HIV Self-Testing Program

Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am-4pm

Overcoming OCD

Fridays, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Boundaries of Our Own Design: Black, Indigenous Women & Femmes of Colour

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30pm

Realize: Substance Use Support Group

Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm (Monthly)

Embracing Neuro-Diversity

Mondays, 3:30pm-5:00pm

Neurodivergent Friendly DBT Techniques

Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30pm

Rooted Tuesdays– Wellness Support Group for Black Students

Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Shop – A Wellness Group for all Black Men

Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

International Food & Grocery Trips