Coming together as a community in challenging times
TMU is seeking input from community members through an online survey to identify opportunities for future initiatives aimed at supporting community well-being.
The war in the Middle East has had a significant impact on many members of the TMU community, especially for people with connections to the region. In Canada, the repercussions have been deeply felt, with a surge in grief, discrimination and division.
University leaders have been meeting and consulting with many community members and stakeholders about the impact of this geopolitical conflict on students, faculty and staff as they engage in learning, teaching and work. Building on existing campus resources, the university is collaborating to develop initiatives including community events, well-being supports and education.
Working group has convened
Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion Tanya De Mello has recently convened a working group of front-line support staff that will play a pivotal role in planning, organizing and hosting initiatives and delivering services across campus. The working group aims to take a multi-pronged approach to foster an environment that prioritizes community well-being, belonging and respectful dialogue. The university is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive community that thrives even in the face of global challenges. The working group's collaborative efforts demonstrate TMU’s commitment to fostering increased connection and campus resilience.
Initiatives currently underway
Different communities have shared that they have distinct needs, and we recognize that what is supportive varies from person to person. The working group is creating a suite of initiatives to support community members, ranging from how to deal with grief to how to engage in respectful dialogue. Initiatives currently underway include:
- Planning community events responsive to the diverse needs of individuals and communities to process trauma, foster dialogue and increase education, including:
- Educational sessions on how to foster dialogue across divisions led by Raja G. Khouri and Jeffrey J. Wilkinson, authors of The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians don't want to know about each other (external link) , in collaboration with the Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
- Educational sessions created in collaboration with Amira Elghawaby (Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia) and Deborah Lyons (Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism).
- Reconvening the university’s Spiritual Collective to create initiatives for the campus community to learn about different faiths, cultural practices and beliefs.
- Developing a list of mediators and facilitators to support group dialogue and interpersonal communication.
- Increasing training and learning opportunities for community members to engage productively in difficult discussions, conflict resolution and other applicable training.
Upcoming events
Community members may wish to explore this listing of upcoming events and opportunities to support well-being and build skills.
Students
Group counselling: Managing Anxiety and Depression
Thursdays throughout the semester | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Group counselling: Untangle
Fridays throughout the semester | 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Group counselling: Facing Loss
By request through Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC)
Empowerment Through Self-Care: Peer support group on exploring and developing self-care practices
Tuesdays from February 6 to March 19 | 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Building Helpful Habits: Peer support group on building habits to support well-being
Wednesdays from February 7 to March 20 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Blue to Bright: Peer support group on struggling with sadness, depression or low mood
Thursdays from March 7 to April 4 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Connection and support with Peer Support Worker
By request through Student Wellbeing
Coping in Times of Uncertainty
By request through CSDC
TMU Therapy Dogs
Fridays from January 26 to February 16 | 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Faculty
TA/GA: Managing ‘Hot Moments’ in the Classroom
Monday, February 5 | 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Coping with Stress
Monday, March 4 | 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Faculty are also invited to review the resource, (google doc) Best Practices in Managing Difficult Conversations (external link) by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
Faculty and staff
Meditation in Everyday Life
Tuesdays from January 23 to February 13 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday Mindfulness Meditation Online
Fridays from January 26 to February 23 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Writing for Wellness
Friday, February 9 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday, March 8, Friday, April 5 and Friday, May 3 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Compassionate Dialogue for All
Thursday, February 22 | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
All community members
Active well-being programs
Explore a broad range of active well-being programs to support mental well-being including group fitness classes and drop-in sports, including yin yoga and meditation. Learn more about memberships (full-time undergraduate and graduate students are already enrolled).
Share your ideas
To further our understanding of the needs of the community, we invite TMU community members to share ideas:
TMU credentials are required to complete the survey. All answers will remain anonymous.
Reminder of resources and support available to community members
Community members who may need support in managing their well-being in response to the ongoing crisis are encouraged to access the many supports available to them:
- Students can access well-being services and support through the Centre for Student Development and Counselling.
- Good2Talk (external link) is a free, confidential mental health support service for post-secondary students in Ontario available 24/7/365. Students can access support by calling 1-866-925-5454, or by text “GOOD2TALKON" to 686868
- Student Care offers support to students navigating a variety of complex factors while they study, including financial and academic as well as physical and mental health challenges. Students are encouraged to connect with them at studentcare@torontomu.ca.
- Faculty and staff members affected by these troubling events can connect with the Employee and Family Assistance Program for counselling and other supports.
- Culturally specific, individual counselling is available for employees by reaching out to TMU’s Employee and Family Assistance Program, Telus Health, to speak to a counsellor from their own community. This involves pairing employees with counsellors who have self-identified as having shared experiences or specializations associated with gender, geography, language, ethnicity, religion, age and more. Employees can make a request when they contact the Care Access Centre at 1-844-880-9142.
- There are also several faculty and staff community networks that employees can access for support.
Community Safety and Security’s WalkSafe Program is available for all community members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To request WalkSafe, call 416-979-5040 or email walksafe@torontomu.ca. Personal Safety Planning Sessions are also available for individuals, groups and teams.