Health & Wellness Events

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 World Suicide Awareness Day, World Mental Health Day, and National Addictions Awareness Week. 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 Awareness Day

September 10, 2024

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.

World Mental Health Day

October 10, 2024

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.

Harm Reduction Awareness

October 16, 2024

Join Alyssa Desrochers, Student Success Advisor, School of Trades, and Mireille Saurette, Wellness Advisor, and representatives from Sexual Education Resource Centre (SERC) for the first Tools for Life event at the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology on the North Hill campus between 11:30 am and 12:10 pm. Location to be determined. This session will focus on promoting healthy sexuality, safer sex and harm reduction.

To learn more about safer sex and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), visit SERC's Sexual Health Info page.

Do you know about the BU/ACC medical clinic in Brandon? Services include birth control, pregnancy tests, LGBT and trans health services, STI testing, chlamydia, and gonorrhea treatments.

Campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting sexual health and harm reduction can order safer sex supplies online through SERC.

National Addictions Awareness Week

November 24 – 30, 2024

National Addictions Awareness Week prompts conversations around substance use disorder and addiction in Canada. On November 27, join Alyssa Desrochers, Student Success Advisor, School of Trades, and Mireille Saurette, Wellness Advisor, and representatives from Addictions Foundations of Manitoba (AFM) for another Tools for Life event at the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology on the North Hill campus between 11:30 am and 12:10 pm. Location to be determined. This session will focus on lower risk use by highlighting Canada’s guidelines on alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, gambling, and gaming use.

Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting National Addictions Awareness Week can download a toolkit from:

• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
• Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres

Interested in learning more about innovations in mental health and addictions? Check out Health Providers: Shared Health Innovations in Mental Health and Addictions Learning Series.

Fill Your Cup

January 13 – 22, 2025

This is an annual wellness event for connection, support and self-care that begins on Blue Monday (January 13) and ends on Bell Let’s Talk Day (January 22). 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 22, 2025

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.

Stop by the Student Association’s Crossroads (Victoria Avenue East) and Mazer Group Main Street at the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology on the North Hill campus between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to learn more and participate in Bell Let’s Talk Day.

Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting Bell Let’s Talk Day can download a Bell Let’s Talk Toolkit.

Join Alyssa Desrochers, Student Success Advisor, School of Trades, and Mireille Saurette, Wellness Advisor, and representatives from Huddle for another Tools for Life event at the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology on the North Hill campus between 11:30 am and 12:10 pm. Location to be determined. This session will focus on mental health and promoting help seeking behavior.

Interested in learning more about mental health? Check out Assiniboine’s Mental Health Curriculum.

Black History Month

February 2025

Black History Month is recognized every February. This is a time to learn about and celebrate the important stories, legacies, and contributions that Black Canadians have made and continue to make in our communities, country and around the world. Stay tuned through the month as we share resources, events, and stories that recognize the history and the future for Black Canadians.

Pink Shirt Day

February 26, 2025

Pink Shirt Day is an annual national 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.

Join Alyssa Desrochers, Student Success Advisor, School of Trades, and Mireille Saurette, Wellness Advisor, and representatives from Men’s Resource Centre for a last Tools for Life event at the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology campus on the North Hill campus between 11:30 am and 12:10 pm. Location to be determined. This session will focus on respect, prosocial and inclusive behavior.

Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in promoting Pink Shirt Day can wear pink and check out Pink Shirt Day website or Pink Shirt Day Canada website. For information on recognizing and preventing bullying, visit Government of Canada - Bullying.

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2025

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.

National Stress Awareness Month

April 2025

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:

• Mental Health - Coping With Stress
• Stress Management

Find mental health services, help and support in your community. Take is one step further by enrolling in one of five free courses through Well Central, a Canadian Mental Health Association program.

Mental Health Awareness Week

May 10 –14, 2025

The Canadian Mental Health Association dedicates a week in May to Mental Health Awareness Week. A theme is declared each April; stay tuned for next year’s theme.

Find resources for spreading the message about mental health throughout your community and check out Shared health Mental Health & Wellness Resource Finder.

Buddy-Up Challenge Month

June 2025

Buddy Up is suicide prevention campaign especially designed for men, by men created by the Centre for Suicide Prevention. Assiniboine encourages year-round participation in an important call to action – authentic conversation and activities amongst men in our community.

Students at campuses and sites across Manitoba interested in participating and encouraged to complete as many of the 16 activities from the June Challenge Card as you and your buddy (buddies) promoting connection and mental health throughout June.

To learn more about men’s suicide prevention: Buddy Up - Learn or download the Men and Suicide toolkit.