Recovery College: Wellness Learning Hub Register Here What is a Recovery College? Recovery Colleges are strength-based mental health and well-being learning centres driven by peer education designed to support connection, a positive sense of self and hope. They promote an inclusive and supportive environment that builds on students’ strengths to promote growth, self-agency, and overcome the stigma surrounding mental health (Perkins et al., 2012). Recovery Colleges offer recovery-oriented courses in a range of topics that support mental health and well-being. Students are empowered to select courses to support their learning objectives and mental health goals. Courses are co-produced by those with lived experiences navigating wellness and those with professional experience. At the Recovery College: Wellness Learning Hub, Ontario Shores Peer Support Specialists and Durham College Peer Facilitators work alongside one another to co-facilitate the courses, with guest speakers being brought in for specific classes to provide subject matter expertise. What is Peer Support? Peer support involves at least two individuals with shared or similar experience who engage in a relationship for the development and growth of both parties. Shared experience and sharing personal stories can help validate our experiences, move away from societal stigma, and more towards an understanding and supporting environment. Some key features of peer support are companionship, empathy, empowerment, trusting relationship, helping others understand they aren’t alone, and helping others how to think of solutions based on our own knowledge and experience. As the value of such mutual relationships has been recognized, more formal peer roles (i.e., peer support specialists, peer facilitators) have been created in mental health services. MicroCredentials Through the Recovery College, there is the option to be recognized for the skills that individuals feel have been enhanced through engagement with the program through Microcredentials. A microcredential is digitally recorded recognition of a small, specific skill. Microcredentials are a unique and innovative way to learn skills in a short period of time that allow for finding learning experiences that align with professional goals and interests that can be used right away. All microcredentials are validated by industry or community partners. The individual self-selects the skills from 20 options, provides a short reflection on how engagement has influenced these skills and, within 7-days, will receive a badge that is recognized by employers that can be added to a resume. Additionally, individuals have the opportunity to combine certain microcredentials to build them into higher order sets of skills that are more relevant to employers. Winter 2024 Registration IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY Date: Wednesdays, January 31- March 6th (skips February 28th for reading week) Time: 2:00-3:00 WHAT WILL WE DO? Navigating our wellness throughout the college experience can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone! You may not have it all figured out, and that is okay! Within this workshop series, we will learn to prioritize our wellness together in a judgement free zone. Through guided discussions and activities, we will create a community where our experiences with distress are not a source of shame, but that of strength, resiliency, and expertise. We will learn from one another so that we can build wellness toolkits that can be used to achieve our personal wellness goals. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? About the dynamic spectrum that is mental health and how to identify where you are at and respond at any given time How to identify and combat stigma To develop a personalized wellness toolkit that you can leverage to achieve your goals You will learn new and different strategies for how to manage distress About the diversity of perceptions and experiences navigating wellness WEEKLY TOPICS Getting to Know Yourself Recognizing Feelings and Emotions Healthy Connections and Social Media Strategies, Self-Compassion and Self-Care Resiliency and Combating Burnout and Stigma PREPPING FOR PROFESSIONALISM Date: Tuesdays March 5th, 12th, 19th Time: 1:00-2:00 WHAT WILL WE DO? Thinking about entering the workforce while in school or after graduating? Your skills and expertise are only as strong as your ability to sell them! This career development course will support you in highlighting your skills and experiences that will help you stand out through your application materials, networking and interviewing skills. Within this workshop series, you will engage in semi-structured curriculum, guided discussions and activities. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? How to build an eye catching professional resume and cover letter How to effectively prepare for an interview and excel in the interview How to tailor your resume and cover letter to a position/employer How to create a professional LinkedIn profile to showcase your strengths and experiences Learn the importance of networking, how to expand your network and tips for reaching out to employers and faculty DC Student Testimonials “A great initiative to help people know about their mental and emotional wellness that helps to overcome anxiety, depression, homesickness or any negative thought process they are facing due to any circumstances.” “Recovery college is not my therapist, but rather the friend I can lean on. This wellness group provided me with a safe space to be vulnerable, and in return, it empowered me to help others in a profound way. Throughout my college journey, this group has been my pillar of strength, offering unwavering support and understanding during both triumphs and challenges. Being part of this community has not only transformed my life but also allowed me to pay it forward by uplifting and inspiring others on their own paths to wellness. I am forever grateful for the growth and compassion this group has shared with me, shaping my college experience into one of personal empowerment and genuine connection.” “I would just like to say thank you for allowing myself and other students to have access to a service like this. Attending school, especially far from my home, has been very challenging for me. But, this program has helped changed my perspective on my university. Today, I see my school as a welcoming space filled with kind, friendly people rather than a place filled with intimidation.” References Perkins, R., Repper, J., Rinali, M., & Brown, H. (2012). Implementing Recovery through Organizational Change: Recovery College. UK: NHS Confederation Mental-Health Network, UK
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