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Student Wellness Centre

Health Promotion

We are dedicated to enhancing student well-being through educational campaigns and impactful awareness programs. We provide students with essential information, knowledge, and resources across campus and in the community, empowering them to make informed health decisions.

Wellness Lounge

Information Box Group

PGCLL 201

The lounge space is open for all students and is a place to relax, enjoy tea, read, pick up wellness resources, study, and chat with friends. Come by to ask staff and  volunteers about our wellness resources, programs, and services.

In this space, you’ll find free tea, a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lightbox, an origami station, a colouring corner, and lots of campus and community informational pamphlets.

 

Workshops & Trainings

Information Box Group

Book a Workshop / Training with the Health Promotion Team

Popular offerings on campus include;

  • Mental health 101
  • safeTALK (suicide alertness)
  • Self-care and community care
  • Healthy relationships
  • Responsible drinking and cannabis use
  • Other related wellness topics

If you are interested in setting up a workshop for your club, event, or group, please contact us at wellness@mcmaster.ca.

Wellness Programs

Check out the awesome programs run by our Health Promotion team below!

Looking for a full list of counselling and wellness programs? Visit our Programs page. 

Peer Educator Volunteer Program

With support from the Health Promoters at the SWC, volunteer as a Peer Educator to engage students with their wellness and contribute to a healthier campus community.

The Peer Educator program is a student-run health promotion initiative for undergraduate and graduate students overseen by the Student Wellness Centre’s Education team. Each year, Peer Educators develop and implement wellness programs to enhance campus well-being focusing on the topics of; Active Living, Food Literacy, Mental Health, Sexual Health, Substance Use, and Graduate Wellness.

Job Description

Peer Educators are responsible for delivering workshops, providing evidence-based health information, and promoting wellness-related resources available on and off campus. Accordingly, students on our Wellness Outreach Team are ambitious, proactive, and driven toward making a difference on campus.

Learn More: Peer Educator job description

Applications for the 2024-2025 Academic Year are now closed. 

SWC Peer Educator Excellence Awards

The Student Wellness Centre is grateful for the support of its student volunteers, who support programming and events that cater to the rest of the student body’s wellbeing. We particularly recognize exceptional volunteers through our “Peer Educator Excellence” awards, which are given out on a monthly basis.

View this PDF to see our previous recipients of the award, since the inception of this recognition in January 2025.

**PDF will be available soon**

Learn More About Our Initiatives

Active Living projects promote movement and activity in an accessible manner amongst all McMaster students, given the incredible scientific support a more active lifestyle has on one’s mental health.

Topics and activities include:

  • Physical literacy
  • Incorporating activity into student life
  • Creating fun and social activities for students to get active
  • Exam ‘brain breaks’ with #MacMoves
  • Walks through Cootes Paradise through our Walk in Nature Days program

Food Literacy projects aim to increase students’ knowledge of food and nutrition and equip them with the skills needed to prepare food while considering taste, health, culture, and affordability.

Topics and activities include:

  • Food skills
  • Food security
  • Farmer’s Market tours
  • Gardening activities
  • Cooking sessions through our Food for Thought program

Mental Health projects work to increase students’ knowledge of the many factors that contribute to their own state of mental wellness.

Topics and activities include:

  • Resilience
  • Self-care
  • Building caring and supportive communities
  • Stigma reduction

Sexual Health projects focus on educating the McMaster community about the different aspects of sexual health, and what it means to promote a sex-positive environment.

Topics and activities include:

  • Healthy relationships
  • HIV and STI prevention and testing
  • Consent
  • Sexual orientation and gender identity
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Reproductive rights

Substance Use projects use a harm reduction lens to reduce the social, psychological, and biological harms associated with substances like alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco.

Topics and activities include:

  • Alcohol, cannabis, and vaping education
  • Party kit-making
  • Smoke-free campus cigarette butt litter audits
  • Normalizing the choice to not use substances

Graduate Wellness

Graduate Wellness Newsletter

Every two weeks, our Graduate Wellness Outreach Team releases the Graduate Wellness Newsletter, filled with event listings, information about campus and community resources, and tips on improving your own wellness.
Sign up to receive the Graduate Wellness Newsletter here

Graduate Wellness Instagram

Check out the Graduate Wellness Instagram here, be sure to give them a follow!

Graduate Wellness Program: Grad Chats

https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/gradchats-drop-in-for-graduate-students/

Winter 2025 Events

Information Box Group

Graduate Students Board Games Night

When: Wednesday January 29th from 5pm – 8pm
Where: Student Wellness Centre Lounge (PGCLL 201).

This event will feature a variety of board games, puzzles, and a staff-brought Nintendo Switch for graduate students to enjoy. Hot drinks, such as tea and coffee will be available!

Please email ByunJ8@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions/concerns.

Meet the Health Promotion Team

Health Promotion Team

Cathy Jager

Manager, Nursing and Education

Taryn Aarssen (She/Her)

Wellness Education Coordinator

To me, wellness, is a state of practicing the things that will contribute to a personal state of health and inner peace. It is dependent on other aspects of our life such as access to resources, relationships, identity and the environment we live in.

Interests: I enjoy biking around Hamilton to explore the many trails and parks.

Madison Behr (She/Her)

Health Promoter

For me, wellness speaks to the mental, physical, social, and spiritual needs of a person. In order to be well, we need to meet our needs within these categories- and this will differ from person-to-person!

Interests: Artwork, playing soccer and basketball, and going on family walks.

Jin Byun (He/Him)

Health Promoter

In my opinion, wellness means balancing the various aspects of health (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional) to live in a state where we are feeling and functioning the best we can. It involves listening to your given needs and engaging in actions that allow you to flourish, such as finding a form of sustainable and enjoyable exercise, deliberately scheduling “free time” to decompress, or strengthening your support network by socializing with friends and family.

Interests: Playing sports, exploring new restaurants, travelling, and spending time with friends.

Madeline Parr (She/Her)

Communications Coordinator

For me, wellness is a daily commitment to nurturing physical, mental, and emotional well-being through simple yet impactful practices. It’s about embracing self-awareness and self-love, recognizing our needs and treating ourselves with kindness and compassion.

Interests: I enjoy cycling, golfing, skiing, reading, watching sports, and doing my nails.

Student Staff

Fayth Frank (She/Her)

Program Support Assistant

Honours Life Science

For me, wellness is a holistic concept that involves caring for my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. These interconnected pillars contribute to a fulfilling life through understanding my needs, setting boundaries, and aligning choices with my values.

Interests: I enjoy running, playing sports, working out, reading, and drinking iced coffee.

Darren Sajeevan (He/Him)

Program Support Assistant

Honours Life Science

To me, wellness involves being mindful of everything that affects how you feel, including your environment, sleep, exercise, and diet. Prioritizing these aspects helps us be the best versions of ourselves every day.

Interests: I like to stay active playing soccer, working out, drumming, and I appreciate a good taco.

Michael Sampaio (He/Him)

Communications Assistant

Honours Kinesiology

To me, wellness means integrating habits into my daily routine that support both my physical and mental health. It also means allowing time for enjoyable but less healthy activities like watching TV or playing video games, and understanding that being too hard on yourself for missing these habits is counterproductive.

Interests: I enjoy walking my dog, reading, biking, and thrifting. My top hobby is exercising, which has taught me discipline and commitment.

Rachel Steirman (She/Her)

Program Support Assistant

Honours Political Science, in Judicial Studies and Public Law

I believe wellness involves various elements that enhance life and bring genuine enjoyment. For some, it may be exercise and strong relationships, while for others, it could be solitude or meditation. Each person’s path to wellness is unique, reflecting the tools and practices that help them fully engage in life.

Interests: I enjoy camping, fishing, paddle boarding, skiing, reading, and doing crafts.