Two U of T faculties join forces to boost mental and physical health of local seniors

siddiq22 — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:45:47 +0000

siddiq22 Fri, 07/28/2023 - 12:45

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Participants in the Work it Out, Talk it Out program, jointly created and run by U of T social work and kinesiology professors and students, stretch in their chairs at the Jane/Finch Centre (photo courtesy Work it Out, Talk it Out)

Bruce Grierson

Topic

Our Community

Community Engagement

Counselling

Exercise

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Mental Health

Subheadline

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education partner with community centre

Two ��Ƶ faculties are teaming up on a new pilot project that aims to improve the physical and mental health of local seniors through a combination of exercise and talk therapy.

Partnering with the Jane/Finch Centre in northwest Toronto – a multi-service community centre focusing on poverty reduction – the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education developed the Talk It Out, Work It Out program for the centre’s clients, particularly seniors.

Graduate students from each faculty also contributed to the program’s curriculum.

Kinesiology students focused on the “Work It Out” section of the program, where participants do some basic exercise before moving on to the “Talk It Out” part, where trained Master of Social Work students shepherd the clients into small groups so they can share their thoughts and concerns to the degree and depth they choose.

Over seven 1.5-hour sessions, the participants’ anxieties are soothed and their comfort level rises through the combination of physical stress release and expert peer support.

Catherine Sabiston and Lin Fang

“We planned it this way so that seniors could first get activated through exercise,” says Lin Fang, associate professor of social work and Factor-Inwentash Chair in Children’s Mental Health at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

“Later on, as seniors were used to the Talk It Out section and needed more time for it, we switched it around so that they could have time to speak first. The program was designed to be fully integrated.”

The Talk It Out program was inspired by the growing mental health crisis during the pandemic, which hit marginalized communities hard.

Social work students were trained to provide free counselling sessions online or by phone, but Fang knew some seniors would remain resistant to the idea of counselling – even if it was free.

So she joined forces with Catherine Sabiston, a professor of exercise and sport psychology at the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education who holds a Canada Research Chair in physical activity and mental health. Sabiston had led a similar initiative called MoveU.HappyU – an exercise and mental-health coaching program overseen by KPE students from her lab to help U of T students.

Both sets of graduate students partnered on adapting their programming to meet the needs of the senior clients Fang had in mind.

They’ve since seen real progress during the sessions at the Jane/Finch Centre, where many of the seniors initially lamented the lack of social support in their lives. Not only do they now have the support of the Talk It Out, Work It Out facilitators, but participants have been coming together themselves – making new walking buddies and friendships beyond the sessions.

“That’s the best part of ‘talking it out,’” says Jane/Finch Centre program worker Sandra Anderson.

“Everyone has a story. Your story reflects what you’re going through, but I can identify with it, too. By talking, we’ve helped each other make it through another day.”

Read the full story at the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Read the full story at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

#UofTBTS16: Bookmark these student services

ullahnor — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 20:05:23 +0000

#UofTBTS16: Bookmark these student services

ullahnor Mon, 08/29/2016 - 16:05

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Volunteer note takers are among the many student services and supports offered at U of T

Rachel Halpern

Author legacy

Rachel Halpern

Topic

Starting at a new school can be overwhelming. From finding classrooms to buying textbooks, there’s a lot to think about. As you’re heading back to school, here’s 10 things you should know about supports and services offered by U of T:

1) Safety

The safety of students, faculty and staff is a top priority at U of T. The university has offices, programs and campaigns that address violence and harassment, safety on campus, environmental health and safety, fire prevention and emergency housing.

Visit the U of T Safety website for information to help you stay safe on campus. And be sure to register for emergency alerts from the university via telephone, email and text.

2) Sexual and Gender Diversity

The Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO) provides education, programming, resources and advocacy on diversity for students, staff, faculty and the LGBTQ community. This includes the university’s Positive Space campaign, a program that seeks to create and identify safer and more inclusive spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersexed, queer, questioning and Two-Spirited students, staff, faculty, alumni and allies at U of T.

3) Multi-Faith Spaces

If you're wondering where to pray or meditate, U of T offers rooms for people of all faith communities to practice their religion, their traditions and rituals.

Multi-Faith Spaces (St. George)
Multi-Faith Spaces (UTM)
Multi-Faith Prayer Room (UTSC)

4) Indigenous Students

For those wanting to explore their Indigenous roots, U of T provides programming, services and resources for Indigenous students, providing them with a variety of supports to help them succeed. The university community is also invited to come and participate at events across the three campuses to learn more about Indigenous cultures and traditions.

Aboriginal Student Services/First Nations House (St. George)
Indigenous Centre (UTM)
Indigenous Outreach Program (UTSC)

5) Health and wellness

U of T offers a wide range of health and wellness services. These include general health services (e.g., health check-ups, prescriptions, nutritional care) and mental health services (e.g., psychotherapy, group therapy, assault counselling).

Health & Wellness Centre (St. George)
Health & Counselling Centre (UTM)
Health & Wellness Centre (UTSC)

6) International students

Whether you’re an international student studying at U of T or a domestic student considering a study abroad program or research opportunity, the university provides support and resources.

Centre for International Experience (St. George)
International Education Centre (UTM)
International Student Centre (UTSC)

7) Accessibility

Working to create a safe and comfortable community for students to navigate their disability and related barriers, the university provides students with a network of resources, both inside and outside the classroom.

Accessibility Services (St. George)
AccessAbility Resource Centre (UTM)
AccessAbility Services (UTSC)

Photo by Jason Krygier-Baum

8) Academic success

Whether you want to improve your study habits, better manage your time, work on essay-writing skills or learn how to research, U of T offers workshops, programs and tools to help you with your academic success. The university also offers writing centres where students can get individual consultations with trained writing instructors.

Academic Success Centre (St. George)
Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (UTM)
Academic Advising and Career Centre (UTSC)

Photo by Jason Krygier-Baum

9) Financial support

There are many sources of financial aid available to help you cover the costs of your U of T education. Find out more information about financial assistance programs and view the video below.

10) Get connected

Be sure to follow U of T on social media to learn more about your campus, events and resources:
Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
Twitter, Instagram or Facebook (UTM)
Twitter, Instagram or Facebook (UTSC)

Photo by Ken Jones

For additional info on navigating services and resources, you can also check with your college, faculty or campus student life departments.
Student Life (St. George campus)
Centre for Student Engagement (��Ƶ Mississauga)
Department of Student Life (��Ƶ Scarborough)