Ryerson Recharge: Supporting our faculty, librarians, counsellors, and contract lecturers in prioritizing their mental wellbeing

As we approach the one year mark of the university reducing the number of people on campus in response to the pandemic, surveys continue to show COVID-19 (external link)  is having a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Canadians. As an employer, supporting the overall wellbeing of our faculty, librarians, counsellors and contract lecturers continues to be a priority.

The Ryerson Recharge campaign was created to keep your mental health and wellbeing, and that of your loved ones, at the top of your to-do list. It is critical that we each find ways to take care of ourselves physically and mentally. Still, we know, that when overwhelmed with personal and professional challenges, this focus on our wellbeing is often the first thing to go.

Ryerson Mental Health Day: An opportunity for renewed focus on wellbeing

As you know, the university will be closed on Monday, February 15 for Family Day. As communicated by President Lachemi in November, it will remain closed on Tuesday, February 16 for a Mental Health Day. Our intention in implementing the additional closure on February 16 is to encourage you to spend the time away from work and in support of your wellbeing.

While we know an additional day off will not in itself address the impact of COVID-19 on our wellbeing, we hope that you are able to spend the day doing something in support of your mental health. Perhaps that includes going outside, taking a digital detox, journaling, having a nap, connecting with a friend by phone or playing a board game with your family.

We’d like to remind you that there are additional resources available to you at Ryerson:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing at Ryerson
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ryerson’s Workplace Wellbeing Services team
• Notice, Engage, Refer & Debrief Program

In addition, the following sites provide information and resources related to Mental Health:

• Mental Health Commission of Canada (external link) 
• Distress Centres of Toronto (external link) 
• Mental Health and Wellbeing York Region (external link) 

Wishing you all a restful few days!

Stay safe!

Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano
Vice-Provost, Faculty Affairs