Fleming College

Fleming College is launching a new mental health initiative to raise awareness and support students and employees.

Mental Illness Awareness Week will officially kick-off at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5 in the main foyer of the Sutherland Campus with guest speaker Dave Pogue of Team 55. Fleming College President Tony Tilly will also read a declaration in support of mental health.

The declaration commits Fleming College to establishing a mental health friendly environment for students and employees. This will be done through supporting activities and services that reduce stigma, increase awareness and education, and promote self-care activities. As well, Fleming will respond to those living with mental illness in a way that is supportive, transparent, collaborative, and effective.

The week will build on mental health awareness efforts happening at local high schools, and expand it to post-secondary students.

Events will take place at the Sutherland Campus throughout the week, with each day featuring a different wellness theme:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6: Nutrition and Health – free massages, free food samples, and a string quartet (main foyer), as well as free yoga (library).
• Wednesday, Oct. 7: Knowledge and Support – a fair in the main foyer that will showcase mental health support options and community resources.
• Thursday, Oct. 8: Awareness and Exercise – the Big Bike Event will have students and employees competing on stationary bikes at five locations around the campus to help beat stress through exercise. Contemporary dancers will perform in the main foyer.

Fleming’s Mental Illness Awareness Week is coordinated by a dedicated group of faculty and staff working with Fleming Student Administrative Council, with a goal to create a broad college strategy on mental health.

The week coincides with the Yellow Umbrella Project (YUP), a campaign created by the College Student Alliance to bring awareness to mental health in post-secondary institutions.

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 68,000 alumni.

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Media, for more information please contact:
Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370