Programs - Student Wellness Centre

ACT on Anxiety

Fall term (Various start dates)

Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:30pm

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 or to register, email Carla Glanville (MA) at glanvic@mcmaster.ca or Kerri-Ann Fitzgerald (MSW, RSW) at fitzka@mcmaster.ca.

Trauma Recovery Group

Fall term (Various start dates)

Mondays 5:00 - 7:00pm

An 8-week group therapy opportunity for female-identified individuals who have experienced sexual violence, intimate partner/domestic violence or childhood sexual abuse. The group will provide a safe, supportive environment for those whose recovery process could benefit from connecting with others and supporting one another. Pre-group meeting with facilitator required. For more information or to register, email Christine…

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Fall term (Various start dates)

Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:30pm

In supportive small-group environment, participants will learn helpful ways to cope with periods of intense emotional distress. The group will focus on understanding painful emotional experiences and developing concrete strategies to prevent, decrease or manage painful life experiences. For more information or to register, email Debbie Nifakis (Ed. D., C.Psych.) at nifakis@mcmaster.ca.

Queer Trans Resilience

Fall term (Various start dates)

Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30pm

A 10-week psychoeducational-process group aimed to support queer and trans students in learning about how to cultivate resilience. For more information or to register, email Blair Wilson (MSW, RSSW, RSW) at wilsob13@mcmaster.ca.

Managing Your Social Anxiety

Fall term (Various start dates)

Thursdays 1:30 - 3:30pm

This group aims to address difficulties with anxiety in social situations. Participants will have the opportunity to practice specific techniques that may be helpful in reducing their social anxiety. By referral or self referral. For more information or to register, email Sharon Hopkins at hopkis6@mcmaster.ca.

Managing Your Worry and Anxiety

Fall term (Various start dates)

Fridays 9:30 - 11:30am

Participants learn about the connection between worrying and generalized anxiety. Weekly experiential exercises will be used to challenge thoughts, manage worries, and provide a greater sense of calm to mind and body. For more information or to register, email Sheila Ortlieb (MA, RP) at ortliebs@mcmaster.ca.

Managing Your Emotions

Fall term (Various start dates)

Wednesdays 5:30 - 7:30pm

A basic introduction to Cognitive Therapy. Participants will practice specific ways to handle feelings more effectively. For more information or to register, email Nathan Cooper (Psy. D., C. Psych.) at ncooper@mcmaster.ca.

Mend Your Mood

Fall term (Various start dates)

Fridays 1:30 - 3:30pm

This group will focus on developing a better understanding of depression, and learning evidence-based skills to change patterns that trigger depression symptoms. This group will be appropriate for those with mild to moderate symptoms of depression. Pre-group meeting with facilitator required. For more information or to register, email Michelle Charles (MSW, RSW) at charles2@mcmaster.ca.

Art and Emotions

Fall term

Mondays 1:30 - 3:30pm

For those interested in exploring how to utilize art to develop different strategies to cope with overwhelming emotions. No art experience is needed! For more information or to register, email Carla Glanville (MA) at glanvic@mcmaster.ca.

Emotion Regulation Skills

Fall term (Various start dates)

Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:30pm

Participate in this 12-week coping skills group, where you will learn mindfulness and how to manage emotion dysregulation, distress, and interpersonal difficulties. For more information or to register, email Debra Earl (RN) at earld@mcmaster.ca.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Fall term (Various start dates)

Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:00pm

Yoga taps into the innate potential for healing that we all have. It mobilizes our ability to cultivate embodied wisdom and self-compassion, and by so doing it teaches us to live our life and face whatever arises with awareness, integrity, clarity and presence both on and off our mats. The focus of this Mindful Hatha…

Unearthing Resilience

Fall term (Various start dates)

Wednesdays 5:30 - 7:30pm

This 10-session group will support students to enhance their practice of resilience in ways that are accessible and meaningful to them. Registration required. For more information about the sessions, email Blair Wilson (MSW, RSSW, RSW) at wilsob13@mcmaster.ca.

Mindfulness Meditation

Various Start Dates (Fall 2019)

Thursdays 10:30 - 11:30am

Mindfulness meditation is about learning to pay attention to the present moment. The benefits of developing mindfulness include a reduction in stress and anxiety, improved concentration, and a clearer understanding of how one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviors affect one another and contribute to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. For more information or to register, email Igor…

Walk in Nature Sessions - Drop-in

Fall term (Various dates)

Wednesdays,12:30-1:30pm

Location: PGCLL 201

Connect with nature and leave your worries behind as you unwind on the trails with others in a positive, mutually supportive environment. Meet at the SWC Lounge - PGCLL 201 by 12:30pm. We have a secure spot to leave your bags for the duration of the hike. September 4 - December 4. Open group -…

Who am I? - Drop-in

Fall term (Various start dates)

Thursdays 1:30 - 3:30pm

Location: SWC Lounge - PGCLL 201

An art based drop in group for individuals who are interested in expanding their understanding of self. The focus of this group is to learn and embrace parts of your personality that are outside of your awareness or just beginning to emerge into your awareness. For more information, email Carla Glanville (MA) at glanvic@mcmaster.ca. September 12…

ADHD - Drop-in

Fall term (Various start dates)

Fridays 11:30am - 12:30pm

Location: Student Wellness Centre (PGCLL 201 Entrance - Meditation Room 206)

This group provides a space for students to develop a specialized skill set that is the key to minimizing the effects of ADHD on day to day performance. For more information, email Maryam Rahat (MA, RP) at rahatvam@mcmaster.ca.

Free Fruit Fridays - Drop-in

Fridays

Starting at 9am (while quantities last)

Location: SWC Lounge - PGCLL 201

Getting your 7-10 fruits and vegetables each day? Drop by for a piece of fruit. Fridays, September 6 - December 6 (except October 18)

Food for Thought - Cooking Classes

Fall Term 2019

Various Times

Location: Alumni House, Kitchen or the McMaster Community and Teaching Garden

Cooking Class - 3 Week Series Wednesdays - November 20th, 27th, and December 4th (4:30 – 7:00 pm) Our 3-week introductory classes will provide a relaxed, hands-on experience to practice your cooking. We will explore topics such as cooking skills, meal planning, and nutrition. Light meal included each week. All skill levels encouraged to join.…

safeTALK

Various Dates

safeTALK is a half-day alertness training that prepares anyone over the age of 15, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay…

Flu Shot Clinic

Tuesday, November 19

9AM - 12PM

Location: Student Wellness Centre Clinic (PGCLL 210)

Protect yourself against the flu! Get your flu shot on Tuesday, November 19 at the Student Wellness Centre Clinic (PGCLL 210) from 9am - 12pm. No appointment necessary but remember to bring your student ID and health card or UHIP card for international students.

Break Free from Binge Eating

Fall term (Various start dates)

Mondays 9:30 - 11:30am

A six week group for those struggling with Binge Eating Disorder or Bulimia. Participants will learn about the causes and symptoms of disordered eating. Weekly tracking and monitoring of physical and psychological aspects of the disorder will help participants discover how to identify their specific triggers. Individualized coping mechanisms will be developed to manage behaviours.…

Peace of Mind

Fall term (Various start dates)

Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:30am

This 8 week group will help participants break free from generalized anxiety, worrying and over-thinking. This group will eclectically pull strategies from cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavioural therapy and self-compassion therapy. Participants will be given the tools to work toward “peace of mind”. 8 week closed group beginning September 25. Must complete screening appointment.…

Grief Support Sharing Circle - Drop-in

Fall term (Various start dates)

Thursdays 9:30-11:00pm

This drop in style group is a collaboration between Student Wellness and Open Circle for students who are experiencing grief or loss. This group will provide a safe and confidential space for sharing experiences of grief while respecting each other’s questions, feelings, viewpoints, or spirituality as it relates to each person’s healing process. This group…

Caring Communities Network

Fall term (Various dates)

Location: SWC Lounge - PGCLL 201

Incorporating wellness in an MSU Club looks like many things. It's being able to navigate resources, both on campus and in the community. It involves recognizing volunteers both in and out of meetings. It means sharing best practices and experiences. Being able to add a wellness lens to your club events and campaigns. By designating…

Spook Sacks

Wednesday, October 30th

12:30 PM

Location: MUSC Marketplace

Party smarter this Halloween weekend by putting together your own free spook sack. Head to the MUSC marketplace from 12noon to get a fanny pack that you can fill with: • Condoms • Bottle opener/flashlight • Water bottle • Snacks • Band-aids • Naloxone (on-site training available from Hamilton Public Health) • Resources …

MacSecrets

MacSecrets is an online submission form that allows students to share common struggles, thoughts, emotions, fears, regrets, and ways to practice self-care. The form will be active from November 4 - 18, 2019. During the MacSecrets De-Stressor Event on Thursday, November 28th (5:30-8 pm) at PGCLL 201, there will be a visual display of the…