Health & Wellness Events
Health & Wellness events hosted by Assiniboine
We're dedicated to promoting mental health, reducing stigma, and encouraging wellness within our community. Join us for a series of impactful events throughout the year, including the Wellness Fair on World Mental Health Day, National Addictions Awareness Week and the winter Fill Your Cup series. Engage in activities, access resources, and connect with experts to support your well-being. Together, we can create a healthier, more supportive environment for everyone.
- World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10, 2026
- World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2026
- National Addictions Awareness Week - November 1 – 7, 2026
- Buddy-Up: Build Up - December 1 – 7, 2025
- Fill Your Cup - January 19 – 23, 2026
- Bell Let’s Talk Day - January 20, 2027
- Black History Month - February 2027
- International Women’s Day - March 8, 2027
- Pink Shirt Day - February 24, 2027
- National Stress Awareness Month - April 2027
- Mental Health Awareness Week - May 3 – 9, 2027
- International Harm Reduction Day - May 7, 2027
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10, 2026
World Suicide Awareness Day raises awareness of suicide to prevent premature death by suicide and promote life. According to the World Health Organization, on a global scale, more than 700,000 people die due to suicide annually (WHO, 2023). Assiniboine is a member of the Brandon & Area Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN). SPIN is a network working together to reduce the risk of suicide and promote wellness by promoting mental health, reducing stigma, and implementing suicide prevention initiatives (SPIN, n.d.).
Join efforts in raising awareness and preventing suicide by spreading the word about 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. Order free 9-8-8 materials, download posters or spread the word via your socials: https://988.ca/get-involved. Learn how to get help for someone else, talk to someone you are worried about and suicide-safe language.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.
World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2026
The Wellness Fair bring representatives from various community organizations at the Students' Association Crossroads area at the Victoria Avenue East campus. It is a great opportunity to connect students to various organizations promoting wellness in our community.
National Addictions Awareness Week
November 1 – 7, 2026
Open to nicotine cessation or reduction? Join Prairie Mountain Health’s Health Promotion Coordinator the last Thursday of each month September – November | January – April between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Link at the East Building, LECTT or the 2nd Thursday of each month September – November | January – April between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Vic Ave E campus cafeteria. Monique Mantei will share free quit resources, provide education on tobacco use, health effects, and available supports including classes.
National Addictions Awareness Week prompts conversations around substance use disorder and addiction in Canada.
Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting National Addictions Awareness Week can download a toolkit from:
Interested in learning more about addiction? Consider taking this self-directed module Addiction 101 (20 mins) from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Interested in learning more about substance use? Check out Mental Health Literacy’s Understanding Substance Use.
- Southern Chiefs' Organization Inc.’s Harm Reduction Program is designed to keep folks safe and offer options for change by minimizing harms. It’s a strengths-based, destigmatized, and inclusive program.
- The Drugs Wheel by CATIE provides a visual summary of substance categories, examples and effects.
- The Government of Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines and the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines outline some harm reduction approaches to consuming alcohol and cannabis.
- Are you smoke free curious? Check out smokers’ helpline to find your reasons to quit, resources and support.
- Young Adults & Gambling provides information on risks, resources, and educational games.
- Issues around phone use? Social Media and Cellphone Addiction Infosheet by CICMH.
Buddy-Up: Build Up
December 1 – 7, 2025
Build Up: Work on a project runs Monday, December 1 through Sunday, December 7. Ask a buddy to work on a project with you and while working, ask how they are really doing. Click here to learn more about this mini-campaign. Looking for a project or inspiration?
- DUDES club for Indigenous men: Knowledge bundle to building safe spaces for men’s health and wellness
- Men’s Sheds Canada: Find a shed near you or consider building one with a buddy or small group of friends.
- Or perhaps you are interested in building healthier relationships: men&
- Check out Pacing Thing, a site for independent learning, tiny social networks and skill development. Join a group, or create a group to learn and build new skills.
Fill Your Cup
January 19 – 23, 2026
This is an annual wellness event for connection, support and self-care that between January 19 – 23. We hope you will take the time to replenish your stores of mental, emotional, and physical energy this January. Refresh and recharge through this series of free activities, events, and learnings. All events are free and open to Assiniboine students and staff.
Bell Let’s Talk Day
January 20, 2027
Bell Let’s Talk Day is an annual day of conversations about mental health that happens nationally, that inspires us all to act towards positive change. There are many ways to take action; check out Bell Let’s Talk Tools and Resources that include tools to start a conversation about mental health, a toolkit, tools for the classroom and many mental health resources at Bell's Tools and Resources page.
Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting Bell Let’s Talk Day can download a Bell Let’s Talk Toolkit.
Join Mireille Saurette, Wellness Advisor for a pastry and some Bell Let’s Talk swag 8:00 – 9:00 on Tuesday, January 19 at Vic Ave in the cafeteria, on Wednesday, January 20 at Len Evans in the Link, Mazergroup Main Street and on Thursday, January 21 at MICA at the South entrance.
Interested in learning more about mental health? Check out Assiniboine’s Mental Health Curriculum.
Black History Month
February 2027
Black History Month is recognized every February. This is a great time to attend local events, and stories that recognize the history and the future for Black Canadians. Stay tuned through the month as we share resources, events, and stories that recognize the history and the future for Black Canadians.
International Women’s Day
March 8, 2027
International Women’ s Day is recognized on March 8 annually around the world since 1911. Let’s celebrate the cultural, social, political, and economic achievements of women and work to accelerate women's equality.
Pink Shirt Day
February 24, 2027
Pink Shirt Day is a national annual event against bullying. Folks at all of Assiniboine’s campuses and sites are encouraged to wear pink attire to stand against bullying today. Assiniboine is committed to creating an inclusive community where everyone feels welcomed. Let’s treat each other with kindness today and every day.
Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting Pink Shirt Day can wear pink and check out https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/ or https://pinkshirtdaycanada.ca/. For information on recognizing and preventing bullying, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/bullying.html
National Stress Awareness Month
April 2027
April is National Stress Awareness month in Canada, and it happens to coincide with the end of an academic year for some students at Assiniboine. Let’s take initiative to reduce our stress and/or help others reduce theirs. Take one of the three mental health assessments or a resiliency assessment.
Learn about managing stress:
Find mental health services, help and support in your community. Take is one step further by enrolling in one of nine free courses through Well Central, a Canadian Mental Health Association program.
Mental Health Awareness Week
May 3 – 9, 2027
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) dedicates a week in May as Mental Health Awareness Week.
As a student, if you require support or need to speak with your Student Success Advisor, complete the Student Advising form.
Want to learn more or participate in this campaign? CMHA’s has created a free toolkit of resources for spreading the message about unmasking mental health throughout your community (e.g., social media graphics, e-signatures, factsheets, etc.).
This Mental Health Resources and Supports webpage has a list of crisis numbers, text lines and chatting online options.
Check out Shared Health's Mental Health & Wellness Resource Finder provides a number of mental health, wellness and addictions supports and resources for you and those you care about.
Interested in increasing your knowledge and awareness surrounding mental health? Check out Jack.org’s Be There Certificate, a self-directed course that takes less than 2 hours. Account creating including an email and password is required.
International Harm Reduction Day
May 7, 2027
Let’s learn about harm reduction, support local harm reduction initiatives, and work towards a college community that prioritizes health, safety, and care for everyone.
Resources and Learning Opportunities
- National Overdose Response Service (NORS) virtual safe consumption 24/7 * 365 site call or text 1-888-688-6677
- Health Canada Experiences An online portal for youth, parents and educators to explore health issues (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vaping products, opioids, etc.)
- Opioid Poisoning Response Training St. John Ambulance offers a free self-paced online training to support all Canadians seeking nasal naloxone administration training [need to create an account to access]
- Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health and the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines outline some harm reduction approaches to consuming alcohol and cannabis.
- Resources to Reduce or Stop Smoking
- STBBI Testing in Manitoba thanks to Sexual Education Resource Centre (SERC). To learn more about safer sex and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), visit SERC's Sexual Health Info page. Campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting sexual health and harm reduction can order safer sex supplies online through SERC.
- Do you know about the BU/Assiniboine medical clinic in Brandon? Services include birth control, pregnancy tests, LGBT and trans health services, STI testing, chlamydia, and gonorrhea treatments.
There are many initiatives that promote wellness across Assiniboine College. Check out: