Don’t let the winter blues get you down — a series of events and activities across campus this week will promote mental health, help students overcome stress, and challenge stigma.

Did you know many people with mental illnesses find the stigma worse than their symptoms? During UWindsor’s Revive and Thrive Week, campus-wide participation helps to end stigma with students, faculty and staff joining the conversation about mental health. The week aims to promote mental health literacy through the 5 Simple Ways to End Stigma with a full week of campus-wide events and social media efforts to #ChallengeStigmaUWindsor.

“Together we can create positive change and make UWindsor a place where everyone can thrive,” says Ashley Vodarek, mental health and wellness co-ordinator.

Revive and Thrive Week will encompass everything from free cocoa and cupcakes to yoga and craft sessions, all with messages on learning how to end stigma. Among the week’s highlights are:

• Lancer football alumnus Frank Renaud, a pro linebacker and mental health advocate, will deliver a free public address at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in room 140, Human Kinetics Building.
• The St. Denis Centre will sponsor a “Sit and Sip” drop-in session of free tea and colouring.
• The Wellness Outreach Office hosts the #ChallengeStigmaUWindsor event, 5 Ways to End Stigma, on Bell Let’s Talk Day, Wednesday in the CAW Student Centre.
• The CAW Student Centre will offer an escape room on Tuesday and distribute self-care kits Wednesday.
• Thursday will see a presentation on coping skills hosted by Residence Services and the International Student Centre in the Green Bean Café.

There are more than two dozen activities on offer; find a full schedule on the website of the Wellness Outreach Office.

Questions about the week? Contact the Wellness Outreach Office at wellness@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext. 4635.