The Wellness Den

Welcome to the Wellness Den! 

The Wellness Den is a dedicated space on campus that features daily wellness-inspired opportunities to support student learning and success. The Den is open to all UTM students. Brought to you by the UTM Health & Counselling Centre.

Location: DV 2207 (Student Services Hub – SSH)
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Art for the Heart Sessions with TATI

Art for the Heart Series is BACK by popular demand.

Looking to explore holistic self-care in a creative way? Art for the Heart is a 4-week program that features multiple art-based activities to help enhance student well-being, with intentional themes around wellness, identity and culture. Sessions are facilitated by Art Therapy Students from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Learn more about TATI here: https://tati.on.ca/

The sessions/topics will include:

• Session 1 | Wednesday, January 28: Introduction to Identity
• Session 2 | Wednesday, February 4: Exploring Your Own Journey
• Session 3 | Wednesday, February 11: Reflecting on Hopes & Dreams
• Session 4| Wednesday, February 18: Celebrating Self

🚨 BONUS 🚨 Free Care Packages will be provided to all students who register and attend at least one of the sessions. Please note that each session has a capacity of 6 participants at a time, so be sure to book your spot! Drop-ins are welcome, pending available space. Given the structure of the program, with sessions building on one another, we strongly encourage participants to plan to attend all sessions, if possible.

Important Note: While sessions do integrate art therapy practices with theories and practice in psychotherapy, these sessions are not therapy and do not act in place of a formal therapeutic intervention.

Important Info
Wednesdays Jan 28, Feb 4, 11 & 18 DV 2207 6 Person Capacity (Save your spot NOW!)

Register here!

CCR Certified

Did you know that the Wellness Den is now CCR Certified?! That's right! You can now receive CCR by participating in select events, programming and activities at the Den. 

You must attend 5 of the following sessions in a single Academic Year to qualify for a CCR: 

• Student-Led Series (Monday - Fridays | 11:30 am - 1:00pm)
• Wellness Den Workshop Series (Mondays | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
• Meditation & Movement Session (Mondays | 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm)
• Ask the Nurse Sessions (Fridays | 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm)

To count a session of CCR, simply fill out a CCR form (available at the end of the session). 

Why visit the Wellness Den?! 

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Students visiting the Wellness Den can expect to:
Learn helpful information about health and wellness. Chat with trained peers and/or HCC staff. Discover wellness tools, strategies and resources. Participate in guided, and self-directed wellness activities. Engage in a relaxing, safe, and non-judgmental space. Access a charging station to plug in your device while recharging your mind.

What the Wellness Den is not:
Meeting space Study space A substitute for medical advice. Visit DV Room 1152 to speak with a Physician and/or Registered Nurse.

Weekly Schedule:

Wellness Den Drop-in Workshops

Please check back here regularly for upcoming workshops running at the Wellness Den. These workshops are on a “drop-in” basis – meaning that students can drop by anytime between 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and engage in the content of the workshop! Easy breezy! 

And while registration is not required, we encourage you to sign up ahead of time here. 

Upcoming Drop-in Workshops

January 12 | Why We Wait: Understanding & Overcoming Procrastination
Facilitator: (HCC Counsellor) Denise Alton (She/Her), MSW, RSW

Many students struggle with getting things done and it comes with an emotional and practical cost.  In this workshop, we move beyond seeing procrastination as laziness by exploring its emotional and behavioural roots and learning some strategies to overcome it. Join us to create a plan to address your procrastination this term.  Don't put this off...register today!  

January 19 | Let’s Talk about… Heart Health ❤️
Facilitator: HCC Nurses (Ask the Nurse)

Your heart health is key to overall wellness and energy. In this workshop, we’ll cover ways to maintain a healthy heart, including understanding blood pressure, lifestyle factors, and early warning signs. Participants will also have the opportunity to get a blood pressure check and learn practical strategies to support long-term cardiovascular health.

January 26 | Be Well to Learn Well
Facilitator: HCC's Health Promotion Staff

Wellness is fundamental to academic success. Taking proactive steps in caring for our mental and physical health, enhances cognitive functions like memory and concentration, provides the energy to complete tasks and supports emotional stability for goal-setting and perseverance. Join us and learn 5 evidence-informed practices that foster student success.

February 2 | Coping with Career Anxiety
Facilitator: UTM Career Centre staff

Career anxiety is persistent fear, worry, or self-doubt about one's professional life and future, extending beyond temporary work stress into a pervasive feeling of apprehension and self-criticism. It can manifest as fear of making the "wrong" career choice, constant self-comparison, perfectionism, or fear of failure. This continuous state of anxiety can impact daily life, productivity, and overall well-being, sometimes leading to physical symptoms or worsening other mental health conditions.

February 9 | Let’s Talk about… Sexual Health
Facilitator: HCC Nurses (Ask the Nurse)

Sexual health is an important part of overall wellness. This workshop covers topics such as consent, communication, boundaries, and safer sex practices. You’ll have the chance to ask questions in a judgment-free space and gain practical knowledge and tools to take care of your sexual health confidently.

February 23 | ADHD: Strategies to Manage
Facilitator: (HCC Counsellor) Tiffany D’Souza (She/Her), MSW, RSW

Do you have ADHD, think you might have ADHD or are you just curious to learn more about it? Join us for this introductory and psychoeducational workshop providing insights into the characteristics of ADHD. Participants will learn strategies to transform common ADHD challenges into opportunities for growth. This workshop is open to all students, no diagnosis is required to attend! In this workshop, we will be covering the following topics:  

- Defining and enhancing our understanding of ADHD  
- Learning about the different types of ADHD  
- Prevalence and statistics  
- Influences and factors 
- The Role of Executive Functioning  
- Exploring Interventions: Medical and Non-medical Interventions  
- Strategies for Different Settings   

March 2 | Overcoming Text Anxiety 😬
Facilitator: (HCC Counsellor) Katrina Levasseur Nedamat (She/Her), RSW, MSW

Feeling overwhelmed by exams? You're not alone.  Exams can be stressful—but they don’t have to be overwhelming. In this workshop, you’ll learn practical strategies and coping skills to manage stress, stay grounded, and build confidence before and during exams. Whether you experience mild nerves or intense anxiety, this workshop will help you approach exams with a clearer mindset. Take the first step toward a calmer exam season—your future self will thank you! 

March 16 | Growing Through Change: Making Sense of Life Transition & Loss
Facilitator: Maria Merenda (she/her) MSW Student

Change is an inevitable part of student life, often accompanied by shifts in identity, relationships, and expectations. Join us to explore how grief, loss and emotional adjustment show up during times of transition, while building skills to navigate change with insight and self-compassion.  

March 30 | Let’s Talk About… Sleep 😴
Facilitator: HCC Nurses (Ask the Nurse)

Quality sleep is essential for focus, memory, and energy. In this workshop, we’ll explore common sleep challenges among students and provide practical strategies to improve sleep hygiene. Learn how better sleep can enhance your academic performance, mood, and overall well-being.

Drop by the space to learn more! And please follow us on social media! (It really helps us spread the message of wellness on our campus.)

Follow @utmhccwellness on Instagram, and/or visit this website, for all the latest updates.