Workshops

Spring/Summer 2025

Downtown Campus Programming  |  Macdonald Campus Programming

Downtown Campus Programming

Animal Therapy

Meet our wonderful Handlers and Dogs, trained to provide you with comfort and stress relief.  A Hub Peer Supporter will also be present to answer any questions you may have about the Student Wellness Hub and its services and to provide peer support and health navigation.

Location: Meet us in the Healthy Living Annex, 3600 McTavish, Suite 3100. Please register 24 hours before the start of the event.

Dates: Mondays & Thursdays between 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

Navigating Wellness

Unsure of where to start? No need to wait to see an Access Advisor one-on-one!  Join Connie, Virginie, Kiki & Alice to get started on your wellness planning. In this workshop you will learn about what resources are available to you on and off-campus and how you can access the ones that are right for you.

Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

Facilitators: Connie Lee,  Virginie Yeba, Kiki Yelle & Alice Leung

Art Hive Open Studio

The McGill Art Hive is a space devoted to making art and community. We offer creative experiences to foster a sense of togetherness along with individual well-being. Participation requires no art background or experience. Various art supplies are at your disposal to be creative.

The Art Hive affords members of the McGill community the opportunity to step out of their daily challenges, spend time in a very different place, and return to their work feeling more relaxed and focused. We at the Art Hive believe it is important to be mindful of the need to disconnect from stress and to reconnect with others. 

Location: Healthy Living Annex, 3600 McTavish, Suite 3100. Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop.

Dates: Wednesdays & Fridays, from 11:30AM - 2:00PM (new time)

Facilitators: Hub Peer Supporters

Distress Tolerance

Distress tolerance is a core skill that is useful in times of crisis. This 2-session workshop will teach you concrete skills such as radical acceptance, improving the moment, and self-soothing to better cope in challenging / stressful situations.

Please plan on attending both dates May 6 & 13, 2025.

Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

Facilitators: Gabrielle Petrucci & Maga-Li Monteilhet-Labossiere

Science of Happiness 

Having a growth or flexible mindset in front of adversity can be useful to navigate your life and improve your mental health in general. The Science of Happiness in the field of psychology not only offers a framework to understand this mindset, but practical tools as well. During this in-person workshop, we will be discussing about how to shift our perspective in a more positive way and experiencing tools that will mobilise embodiment, collectiveness, reflexivity and creativity through positive imagery. In the end, we hope you will feel more confident facing challenging times.

For the Summer edition, we will move outside during the workshop if the weather allows it. Don’t forgot your sunscreen, a hat and your water bottle.

Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop.

Facilitators: Gabrielle Petrucci & Leah Dolgoy

Meditation

Join us for an introductory meditation workshop designed for beginners, where you can attend one session or all! Discover the transformative benefits of meditation, such as enhanced focus, reduced stress, and improved emotional well-being. No prior meditation experience is necessary – this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to explore meditation in a supportive environment.

Open to McGill students, this workshop offers a welcoming space to begin or deepen your meditation practice. The meditation style taught in these sessions is based on the Sivananda yoga tradition as taught by Swami Saradananda. Each session will include instructions for establishing a comfortable seated position, mudras (hand gestures), and brief pranayama (breathing exercises) in preparation for meditations ranging from 10 to 15 minutes in length.

Due to limited space, please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop.

Facilitators: Jodi Proctor & Elizabeth Zimmerman

Crochet Circle: Knit Under the Sun

Summer and mild comforting weather is finally upon us! The Crochet Circle is here with a Spring and Summer edition. After knitting in the winter cold, The Crochet Circle will be moving outside from May to July and will be held on campus grass in front of the Redpath Museum near the hot-dog stand.

The event will be moved to HLA common space in case of rain or thunderstorm.

Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the event.

Facilitators: Gabrielle Petrucci & Maga-Li Monteilhet-Labossiere

Mindfulness & Self Compassion

Mindfulness and self-compassion focus on accepting our experiences and being kind to ourselves, especially when we are feeling down or stressed. Research has supported that mindfulness and self-compassion are linked to increases in one’s overall wellbeing. This group is intended for students who are thinking about slowing down, being more mindful, and less critical of themselves- but do not know how to! Some prior experience with meditation would be beneficial but not mandatory.

Please register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop.   

Turning Failure into Success

Interest in learning how to turn failure into success? This workshop will focus on defining failure, describing resilience, grit, and it's connection to emotional well-being, and identifying practical steps to build resilience, cope with failure and create change!

Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

How to Identify, Manage, and Prevent Caregiver Burnout

Join us in this engaging webinar with Brittanie La Forge, BSW, RSW, a licensed social worker, on managing caregiver burnout and prioritizing self-care. Gain practical tools on how to identify burnout, its impact on functioning, and coping strategies to nurture your mental and emotional health, and regain energy in a sustainable way.  Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

About the Facilitator: Brittanie La Forge is a dedicated social worker at the Circle of Wellness Montreal, offering a comprehensive range of support services tailored to the needs of individuals and communities. Her expertise spans counseling, crisis intervention, and resource navigation, and she has worked in various settings such as schools, community health agencies, and with First Nations communities. Brittanie’s approach is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of community dynamics. She tailors her interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual, drawing from evidence-based modalities.

Let's Get Started for Undergraduate Students

One of the best ways to build motivation is by getting started. Start your week strong by joining a 30-minute "plan your week" session on Monday mornings. It is an opportunity to set your intentions, boost motivation, troubleshoot challenges, and connect with other undergrad students. Co-facilitated by your Local Wellness Advisors Fanny & Kiki.

Facilitators: Fanny Gutierrez-Meyers & Kiki Yelle

Active Listening

Interested in improving your communication skills? Join us for this workshop to develop an understanding of what active listening consists of and how it can be practiced. This workshop will focus on defining what active listening is and isn't, explaining why active listening is both important and useful, and practicing active listening.

Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

Facilitators: Elizabeth Zimmerman & Angela Ahenkorah

Skills for Strategic Procrastination

Having difficulty getting started? Do you find yourself putting off tasks? Join this workshop to (1) develop an awareness of what is procrastination and how you procrastinate, (2) identify how procrastination works, and (3) discuss how to change "procrastination to "doing."

Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

Facilitators: Margot Nossal &  Fanny Gutierrez-Meyers

Managing Stress in Uncertain Times

Do you have difficulty coping in these uncertain times? Feel you lack a sense of personal control in your life? Do you struggle? In this workshop you will learn coping skills and mindfulness to help you manage anxiety and stress.

Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

Facilitators:  Heleen Loohuis & Alice Leung

Getting Sound Sleep

This workshop is intended for students who have difficulty falling or staying asleep at night and who face difficulty during the day due to poor sleep. Topics covered will include: 1) Discussion on the structure and function of sleep; 2) Sleep regulation; and 3) Strategies to improve sleep.  

Please register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop.

Facilitators: Julia Horowitz & Amada Winslade-Defranco

Healing Together: Empowering Jewish Students and Navigating Trauma

Now over a year since the tragic events of October 7th, this 3-part workshop series is being offered for the second time to provide Jewish students with a safe, supportive environment to explore and process the ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma. The workshops focus on the rising tide of antisemitism and the current Jewish experience. Each session will incorporate psychoeducation, group discussion, and exercises designed to promote self-awareness, connection, and empowerment. While each workshop is independent, they also build upon one another to deepen understanding of the connections between trauma, the nervous system, and empowerment. You are welcome to register for one or all sessions. Please register at least 24 hours prior to the start of the support group.

Facilitators:  Mira Rozenberg & Julia Horowitz

Gentle Yoga for Stress Relief

All levels welcome. Yoga mats provided. Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop.

Facilitators: Jodi Proctor & Elizabeth Zimmerman

Digital Wellbeing Series

Join the Digital Wellbeing Series, designed in 3 parts to cultivate mindfulness about screen time and its impacts. This group will offer practical strategies and insights to explore your digital consumption and enhance your overall wellbeing. Discover the subtle ways digital habits affect mood, sleep, and focus, and learn effective techniques to set healthy boundaries, reduce digital overload, and reclaim your mental clarity. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve productivity, or find more balance, this series provides the tools to help you thrive in a digital world.  Each workshop is designed to stand alone but participants are also welcome to attend all 3.

Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop.

Facilitators: Marie-Eve Couture & Heleen Loohuis

CBT for Anxiety & Depression

This 90 minute workshop consisting of two sessions will introduce students to a variety of cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to help manage anxiety and mood, including strategies for relaxation, managing stress, and achieving more balanced thinking. 

Please plan on attending both dates. Register 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop to receive the invitation to the online meeting.

• Session 1: Thursday, June 19 from 10:30 to Noon
• Session 2: Thursday, June 26 from 10:30 to Noon

Facilitators: Susan Oliver & Marilyn Payne

PhD Support Group

Do you find it challenging to balance life and academics? Do you feel disconnected from others in your program? Do you sometimes struggle to retain your focus and direction? Join our group for ideas, encouragement, motivation and a sense of connectedness. Students may attend one or all sessions. Register 24 hours prior to the start of a session in order to receive the invitation for the online meeting.

Facilitators: Devon Simpson & Shannon Walsh

Server Training

The Server Training Program educates student alcohol providers about their legal responsibilities as servers and provides practical methods for ensuring responsible consumption. This is facilitated by the Hub Peer Supporters and prioritizes the following objectives:

• promoting responsible alcohol practices in general;
• increasing the participants' understanding of campus policies and regulations;
• encouraging an attitude that places, as a priority, the well-being, health, security and safety of everyone;
• increasing participants' awareness of civil liability to individuals and the university in relation to alcohol sales and service; and
• increasing the participant's understanding of the liquor laws in Quebec and related regulations.

Facilitators:  Hub Peer Supporters

VR Experience

VR stands for Virtual Reality and is a new tool used in the mental health sphere to help relieve stress and calm nerves. VR lets you step out of your current reality and into other environments like forests or underwater explorations. You can even try sculpting or meditation, right in the HLA! Book your session today!  Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the event.

Facilitators:  Hub Peer Supporters

Walks on Mount Royal

The McGill Wellness Hub is partnering with Athletics and Recreation to invite you for a leisure walk on the iconic Mount Royal! This free McGillMoves activity, led by Local Wellness Advisor, Kiki Yelle, will keep you moving while taking in the fresh air and admire the beautiful views of Montreal. Please note that in event of rain, the walk will be cancelled.

Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes!  Please register 2 hours prior to the walk.

Meeting point: McGill Roddick Gates-15a Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC

Facilitators: Kiki Yelle, Marie-Eve Couture, Virginie Yeba & Heleen Loohuis

Macdonald Campus Programming

Animal Therapy at Mac Campus

Come meet our wonderful Handlers and Dogs who are trained in providing you with comfort and stress relief. A Hub Peer Supporter will also be present to answer any questions you may have about the Student Wellness Hub and its services and to provide peer support and health navigation. Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the event.

Location: Meet us in the Centennial Centre Lobby on Wednesdays

Dates: Will resume in September 2025.

Women's Discussion Series: On Being a Woman

This bi-weekly in-person discussion series offers a safe and supportive space for women, including those from diverse cultural and international backgrounds, to share their unique experiences and engage in meaningful dialogue about the challenges and triumphs of womanhood. Facilitated by mental health professionals, the series will explore topics such as safety, modesty, sexuality, assertiveness, power, freedom, fear, and the diverse ways these issues intersect across different cultures and societies. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences, learn from the perspectives of women from different countries, and connect in an open, non-judgmental environment. Through open conversation and mutual support, this series encourages empowerment, fosters understanding, and celebrates the shared and varied journeys of women from all walks of life.

Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop

Facilitators:  Shannon Walsh & Julia Horowitz

Art Hive Paint a Tote Bag

Come paint your colors on a cloth tote bag to brighten up winter! Leave with your own signature tote to carry books, snacks, a water bottle or whatever else that maintains your health and wellbeing on campus. All materials provided. Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop.

Facilitators:  Hub Peer Supporters

VR Experience @ Macdonald Campus

VR stands for Virtual Reality and is a new tool used in the mental health sphere to help relieve stress and calm nerves. VR lets you step out of your current reality and into other environments like forests or underwater explorations. You can even try sculpting or meditation, right in the HLA! Book your session today! Please register 24 hours prior to the start of the event.

Facilitator: Hub Peer Supporters