Did you know that Oct. 19-25, 2025 is Spiritual Health Awareness Week in Canada and Spiritual Care Week in the US? It's an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of spiritual well-being and the roles that community clergy and other spiritual care workers do in our communities. This year, while Canada is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), the US is marking the 40th anniversary of Spiritual Care Week.
At MORSL, we are grateful for all the faith leaders, chaplains, and faith volunteers who provide spiritual care and support to McGill students, including the diverse volunteers in the Multifaith Network. You can learn about them and find their contact info. on our Multifaith Team Page.
Of course, spiritual care isn't just something we receive from clergy or clinicians; we can do many simple things on our own to support our spiritual health every day. Here are a few tips from the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care for what we can do to support ourselves - especially important as we bounce back from midterm season:
- Have a daily check-in: How are you feeling right now, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?
- Take a breathing space: When you feel restless, doubtful, overwhelmed or frustrated, remember to pause and breathe.
- Move more slowly: Rushing often leads to mistakes! Remember to enjoy the moment.
- Get enough rest: Ask yourself, "Am I getting enough sleep? Am I doing too much? What can I let go of?"
- Practice gratitude: What are three things you are grateful for today?
- Live one day at a time: Staying in today can make the big things feel smaller.
- Be kind: A kind word or deed, no matter how small, has great power to uplift someone else.
*Graphic created by CASC/ACSS | spiritualcare.ca
