Talks from experts on mental health and practical meditation sessions enabled participants to enhance their wellbeing amidst everyday challenges.
The McGill University Research Institute for Health Centre (RI-MUHC) Human Resources and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) teams transformed the Dr. Sylvia & Richard Crews Amphitheater into a mental health mecca on May 8. The two-part event, “Refreshing Your Mental Health Toolkit,” was designed to not only inform but also inspire. Participants were invited to embark on a journey to understand the pivotal role of mental health in personal and professional success, while also discovering the rejuvenating power of meditation amid the constant hustle and bustle of life.
“Our event had two goals,” explains Dr. Diego Herrera, EDI Specialist at RI-MUHC. “First, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of mental health, including the current state of mental health in Canada and its important role in achieving personal and professional success. Second, we wanted to offer practical sessions that demonstrate how meditation can foster lasting, authentic happiness, even amid the busyness and hustle and bustle of everyday life.”
The event, part of Canadian Mental Health Week, delved into various aspects of mental health in and outside of the workplace. The first session featured Dr. Deborah Da Costa, a scientist in the Child Health and Human Development (CHHD) program, along with her research trainees, Dr. Nadia Deville, a postdoctoral researcher, and Monica Vaillancourt, a doctoral candidate. They presented an insightful overview of major stressors and typical stress responses, highlighting evidence-based practices to maintain mental health and effectively manage stress.
The presentations sparked lively discussion among attendees about their personal stress indicators and preferred relaxation methods. Dr. Aimee Ryan, scientist in the CHHD program at RI-MUHC and associate dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and Biomedical Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, introduced the various mental health resources and solutions available to all McGill students. Sonia Rea, director of Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety at RI-MUHC, introduced health and wellness resources available to RI-MUHC employees and research trainees.
After a refreshing break for fruit smoothies and conversation, Buddhist monk Nguyen Kelsang Choegyan of the Kadampa Meditation Centre in Montreal led a session that included two guided meditations and a discussion on stressors, focus and the importance of meditation in maintaining mental health. The session ended with a fascinating Q&A, leaving participants armed with practical tools to enhance their mental health.
“The mental health workshop was a great introduction to ways to manage stress in everyday life,” said Trent Nelson, Environmental Health and Safety Officer at RI-MUHC. “I really enjoyed the meditation session as it gave me a new perspective on meditation and motivated me to continue to practice it in my own life.”
“This was a great initiative that helped the RI-MUHC get new tools for mental health,” says Liz Sirois, manager of the Technology Platform team at the Translational Biology Center. “The information presented was very helpful and the presence of the monks was fantastic. It was very satisfying to have an expert teach us how to meditate.”
Representatives from Dialogue Platform were on hand to share information about this new telehealth benefit for RI-MUHC employees. For more information, please visit the RI Portal (intranet)[人事]-[従業員特典]-[遠隔医療]or contact the HR Centre at ri.hr.centre@muhc.mcgill.ca.
Check out the recording of this event on YouTube.
