After almost a year of living through the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us may be feeling exhausted, lonely, and unmotivated. To help you fight the winter blues and find your balance during this stressful time, the BCITSA Health & Wellness Department in collaboration with BCIT is inviting all students to participate in a 2-week MindBody Challenge – starting from Monday, February 8th until Friday, February 19th. During the challenge, you can sign up for daily virtual activities to learn strategies from health experts to help you thrive, win amazing prizes and have fun with other students.
How does it work?
Step 1:
Complete this online 2021 MindBody Challenge Registration Form by the deadline of noon on Monday, February 8th to join the challenge.
Step 2:
Use the website schedule to sign up for as many events as you like!
Step 3:
Track your activities and after the challenge, submit the online Feedback Form by noon on Monday, February 22nd to let us know which activities you completed. Participants that complete a minimum of 4 activities will be entered into the Grand Prize Draw
Bonus Entry into 2 Prize Draws:
Double your chances of winning the Mind-Body Grand Prize AND get entered into a SECOND prize draw to win a $100 gift certificate by checking out the IXL Leadership webinar: “Fireside Chat: Bet on Yourself”.
This one-hour Recorded Webinar will be released on Tuesday, February 16th, and can be accessed at any time. Be a fly on the wall during this intimate conversation between friends and courageous leaders. Sonja and Behmann dive into what it really means to invest in oneself and trust the feeling to just say ‘yes’.
Prizing
To help keep your motivation high throughout the challenge, participants that complete a minimum of 4 activities during the 2 weeks will be entered into a random draw to win the Grand Prize:
A brand new Instant Pot (6 Quart Size)!
To further keep you motivated, you will have chances throughout the challenge to win wellness prizes for participating in events. Prizes include; A Magic Bullet Blender for Smoothies, Mood Lamps, sport headphones and e-gift cards to Skip the Dishes.
Schedule
MON | FEB 8
5pm-6pm PT
Live Webinar
Jack.org Talk – Mental Wellness
Join this talk on Mental Wellness hosted by Jack.org to learn from a peer about how to identify signs of struggle, how to access support and how to support others that are struggling.
Register Here
Host: Jack.org
Enter to win a
Saje Natural Wellness Sleep Kit
TUE | FEB 9
4-5:30pm PT
Live Webinar
BCIT Nursing Students – Mental Wellness Workshop
Win gift cards and learn tips to support your mental health from other BCIT students through a series of online interactive workshops presented by BCIT Nursing Students.
Register Here
Host: BCIT Nursing Students
Enter to win one of two $25 Skip The Dishes Gift Card
WED | FEB 10
5:30pm-6:30pm PT
Live Webinar
Mind over Mood – Balancing Your Thoughts
Do you find yourself imagining all the things that can go wrong? Join Mark Antczak of Anxiety Canada to learn how to balance your thoughts & manage your mood during stressful times.
Host: Mark Antczak, RCC – Anxiety Canada
Enter to win a
Verilux Happy Light
THU | FEB 11
5-6:30pm PT
Live Webinar
Ask Us Anything About Online Learning Skills
Get advice to support your online learning including tips on time management & managing stress. You can also submit your questions about online learning anonymously so you can Ask Us Anything!
Register Here
Hosted By: BCIT Library
Enter to win a
Magic Bullet Blender & Mini-Food Processor
FRI | FEB 12
10 minute read
Asynchronous Activity
Mental Health Q & A
Check out this article from BCIT Counsellors to find answers to common questions from BCIT students about mental health & accessing counselling.
Read Here
Written By: BCIT Counsellors
MON | FEB 15
5-6:30pm PT
Asynchronous Activity
Nutrition Coaching
Read this CMHA article to learn the link between food & mental health. Book a free virtual nutrition coaching appointment for personalized support and tips to eat healthier on a student budget.
Read Here
Register Here
Written By: CMHA
Enter to win a $25 gift card to Well.ca
TUE | FEB 16
4pm-5pm PT
Live Webinar
Understanding Resilience
Challenges in our lives can be unavoidable and stressful. Join us to understand how cultivating our resilience supports us to navigate our experiences and be able to ‘bounce back’.
Enter to win a Mood Lamp
WED | FEB 17
3:30pm-4:30pm PT
Live Webinar
Student Panel Discussion – How to be an Ally
What does it really mean to be an ally? Gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to be an ally for marginalized groups, how allyship can manifest, and how racism and discrimination can affect one’s mental wellbeing.
Enter to win one of two $25 Skip The Dishes Gift Card
THU | FEB 18
5-6:30pm PT
Live Webinar
Ask us Anything – Physical Health
Panelists will answer your frequently asked questions about exercise & physical movement, nutrition, sleep, and the BCIT health plan. Join to learn how to prioritize your health!
Register Here
Host: BCITSA Health Plan & BCIT Recreation Services
Enter to win a pair of
Wireless Mpow Earbuds
FRI | FEB 19
5pm-6pm PT
Virtual Event
Virtual Board Game Night
Need to unwind after a long week of classes? Join BCITSA Wellness for a fun social game night and play Codewords! This event is open to all BCIT students and will be a great opportunity to meet other students, socialize, and unwind.
Register Here
Host: BCITSA Wellness Department
Resources
BCITSA & BCIT Resources
BCITSA Wellness Services:
www.bcitsa.ca/wellness or email wellness@bcitsa.ca – We offer nutrition coaching, mental wellness programs, social events & craft nights and financial resources.
BCITSA Video Counselling:
https://inkblottherapy.com/bcit – The BCITSA Health Plan provides coverage for virtual counselling. Low-cost appointments are available on days and times that can be chosen by the student, including evenings and weekends!
BCITSA MyWellness Website:
mywellnessplan.ca. MyWellness (included in your BCITSA Extended Health and Dental Plan) provides free mental health and wellness support through resources, mental health assessments, and tools. Free financial coaching appointments are also now available through the website.
BCIT Counselling & Student Development:
bcit.ca/counselling or 604-432-8608 – Free phone and online counselling are available to all students. They can help manage stress, sort through personal concerns and enhance your educational performance.
BCIT Early Assist:
BCIT values its students and their well-being. Early Assist is a confidential online platform that provides BCIT faculty, staff and students with an opportunity to identify students who may be struggling personally or academically and offer them appropriate support and services at an early stage. See the website FAQ to learn more at bcit.ca/early-assist/.
Additional Resources
Here2Talk:
In April 2020, the BC Government launched Here2Talk; a new 24/7 free mental-health counselling and referral service. All BC post-secondary students can access online chat sessions with a trained counsellor at here2talk.ca (Google Chrome browser recommended) or by downloading the free Here2Talk app. Students can also speak to a counsellor 24/7 by phone (toll-free 1 877 857-3397 or direct 604 642-5212). Students calling from outside Canada can dial +1 604 642-5212 (international calling charges may apply).
Additional COVID-19 Mental Health Resources
Check out the BCITSA Wellness Department’s list of free community supports, articles and online tools to support student mental health during the pandemic.
