’Tis the season to be jolly, but for many Humber students, the pressure of exams, travel, work and gloomy news can take a toll during the holidays.
To support students through any difficult times, Humber offers a wide range of services through the Humber Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC), all of which are included in student fees.
Workplace Health and Wellness student and peer support educator Paula Renero at Humber’s North campus said the services offered by the SWAC are available to all students.
“We let students know about all the services that are available to them because, I mean, they're paying so much tuition. They might as well take advantage of it,” Renero said.
As part of a fun outreach program to promote SWAC, pop-up booths appeared at Humber’s North campus. Students on break between classes were invited to spin a wheel and answer questions related to topics supported by the centre.
One student spun the wheel and landed on a question relating to personal finance. The wellness centre peer asked the student to identify one thing they would stop spending on each month to improve their finances. The student said that they would cut down on the number of energy drinks they pounded back each week, potentially saving about $45 per month.
Regardless of where the wheel landed, each student received a cup of hot chocolate along with information about the services offered at the centre.
Renero says the SWAC website provides students with access to health services, including primary care medical practitioners, mental health services, academic support services, accessible learning services, and peer wellness services.
Peer wellness services focus on mental, physical, social and financial supports for Humber students. One program offered is a peer active-listening service, available both in person and online.
As a peer educator, Renero is certified and trained in suicide prevention, bystander intervention, and how to deal with harassment.
Some Humber programs train students for careers in which they may regularly encounter trauma, including emergency services and journalism.
By using peer support while still in school, such as monthly mental health check-ins as part of a personal wellness action plan, students can build habits that help them manage stress once they enter the workforce.
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, taking a 45-minute one-on-one active listening session with a peer who gets what it’s like being a busy student may help in coping with stress, homesickness or low moods.
It might just be the antidote needed to cure some winter blahs.
