Counselling / en Two U of T faculties join forces to boost mental and physical health of local seniors /news/collaboration-between-u-t-social-work-kinesiology-helps-seniors-mental-health <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Two U of T faculties join forces to boost mental and physical health of local seniors</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-07/IMG_7111-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ly-EOaKe 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-07/IMG_7111-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=0eM5R1gQ 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-07/IMG_7111-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=TinNWIL6 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-07/IMG_7111-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ly-EOaKe" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>siddiq22</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-07-28T12:45:47-04:00" title="Friday, July 28, 2023 - 12:45" class="datetime">Fri, 07/28/2023 - 12:45</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>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)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/bruce-grierson" hreflang="en">Bruce Grierson</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/community-engagement" hreflang="en">Community Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/counselling" hreflang="en">Counselling</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/exercise" hreflang="en">Exercise</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/factor-inwentash-faculty-social-work" hreflang="en">Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-kinesiology-physical-education" hreflang="en">Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mental-health" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education partner with community centre</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>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.</p> <p>Partnering with the <a href="https://www.janefinchcentre.org/">Jane/Finch Centre</a> in northwest Toronto – a multi-service community centre focusing on poverty reduction – the <a href="https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/">Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work</a> and the <a href="https://kpe.utoronto.ca/">Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education</a>&nbsp;developed the Talk It Out, Work It Out program for the centre’s clients, particularly seniors.</p> <p>Graduate students from each faculty also contributed to the program’s curriculum.&nbsp;</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-07/Cathi%20and%20Lin.png" width="1200" height="800" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Catherine Sabiston and Lin Fang</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>“We planned it this way so that seniors could first get activated through exercise,” says&nbsp;<a href="https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/profiles/lin-fang/"><strong>Lin Fang</strong></a>, associate professor of social work and Factor-Inwentash Chair in Children’s Mental Health at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.</p> <p>“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.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The <a href="https://talkitoutto.ca/about/">Talk It Out</a> program was inspired by the growing mental health crisis during the pandemic, which hit marginalized communities hard.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>So she joined forces with <a href="https://kpe.utoronto.ca/faculty/sabiston-catherine"><strong>Catherine Sabiston</strong></a>, a professor of exercise and sport psychology at the Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education who holds a Canada Research Chair in physical activity and mental health. Sabiston had led a similar initiative called <a href="https://www.moveu.ca/moveuhappyu">MoveU.HappyU</a> – an exercise and mental-health coaching program overseen by KPE students <a href="https://kpe.utoronto.ca/academics-researchresearch-units-labs-centres/mental-health-physical-activity-research-centre-mparc">from her lab</a> to help U of T students.</p> <p>Both sets of graduate students partnered on adapting their&nbsp;programming to meet the needs of the senior clients Fang had in mind.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>“That’s the best part of ‘talking it out,’” says Jane/Finch Centre program worker Sandra Anderson.</p> <p>“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.”</p> <h3><a href="https://kpe.utoronto.ca/faculty-news/talk-it-out-work-it-out-collaboration-between-u-t-social-work-and-kinesiology-marries">Read the full story at the Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education</a></h3> <h3><a href="https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/news/44787/">Read the full story at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work</a></h3> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:45:47 +0000 siddiq22 302452 at #UofTBTS16: Bookmark these student services /news/uoftbts16-bookmark-these-student-services <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">#UofTBTS16: Bookmark these student services</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-08-26-student-services-lead-branded3.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=AhM17iu_ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2016-08-26-student-services-lead-branded3.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=7oUyV_Ki 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2016-08-26-student-services-lead-branded3.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gvnXJ5oO 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-08-26-student-services-lead-branded3.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=AhM17iu_" alt> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-08-29T16:05:23-04:00" title="Monday, August 29, 2016 - 16:05" class="datetime">Mon, 08/29/2016 - 16:05</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Volunteer note takers are among the many student services and supports offered at U of T</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rachel-halpern" hreflang="en">Rachel Halpern</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Rachel Halpern</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school" hreflang="en">Back to School</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/safety" hreflang="en">safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/counselling" hreflang="en">Counselling</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/financial-aid" hreflang="en">Financial Aid</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/multi-faith" hreflang="en">multi-faith</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/social-media" hreflang="en">Social Media</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>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:</p> <h4><strong>1)&nbsp;Safety</strong></h4> <p>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.</p> <p>Visit the <a href="http://safety.utoronto.ca/">U of T Safety website</a> for information to help you stay safe on campus. And be sure to register for <a href="http://alert.utoronto.ca/">emergency alerts</a> from the university via telephone, email and text.</p> <h5><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1786 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-26-student-services-safety-phone-embed.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></h5> <h4><strong>2)&nbsp; Sexual and Gender Diversity</strong></h4> <p>The <a href="http://sgdo.utoronto.ca/">Sexual &amp; Gender Diversity Office (SGDO)</a> provides education, programming, resources and advocacy on diversity for students, staff, faculty and the LGBTQ community. This includes the university’s <a href="http://positivespace.utoronto.ca/">Positive Space </a>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.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1814 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-26-student-services-LGBTQ-embed_4.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 450px; margin-left: 225px; margin-right: 225px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <h4><strong>3)&nbsp;Multi-Faith Spaces</strong></h4> <p>If you're wondering where&nbsp;to pray or meditate, U of T offers rooms for people of all faith communities to practice their religion, their traditions and rituals.</p> <p><a href="http://studentlife.utoronto.ca/mf/other-spaces">Multi-Faith Spaces (St. George)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/student-life/multifaith/prayer-spaces-u-t">Multi-Faith Spaces (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://www.scsu.ca/services/student-services/multifaith-prayer-room/">Multi-Faith Prayer Room (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1811 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-29-student-services-multifaith-embed.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <h4><strong>4)&nbsp;Indigenous Students</strong></h4> <p>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.</p> <p><a href="http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/fnh">Aboriginal Student Services/First Nations House (St. George)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/student-life/indigenous-centre">Indigenous Centre (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/indigenous-outreach-program">Indigenous Outreach Program (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1815 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-29-student-services-first-nations-embed.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <h4><strong>5)&nbsp;Health and wellness</strong></h4> <p>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).&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/hwc">Health &amp; Wellness Centre (St. George)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/health/">Health &amp; Counselling Centre (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/">Health &amp; Wellness Centre (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1866 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-09-01-health-clinic.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</em><br> <strong>6)&nbsp;International students</strong></p> <p>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.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/cie">Centre for International Experience (St. George)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/international/">International Education Centre (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/international-student-centre">International Student Centre (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1816 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-29-student-services-cie-embed.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <h4><strong>7)&nbsp;Accessibility</strong></h4> <p>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.</p> <p><a href="http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/as">Accessibility Services (St. George)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/accessability/">AccessAbility Resource Centre (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~ability/">AccessAbility Services (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1819 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-29-student-services-accessibility.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 450px; margin-left: 225px; margin-right: 225px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Photo by Jason Krygier-Baum</em></p> <h4><strong>8)&nbsp;Academic success</strong></h4> <p>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 <a href="http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/writing-centres">writing centres </a>where students can get individual consultations with trained writing instructors.</p> <p><a href="http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/asc">Academic Success Centre (St. George)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc/">Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/">Academic Advising and Career Centre (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1820 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-29-student-services-acdemic-embed.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em>Photo by Jason Krygier-Baum</em></p> <h4><strong>9)&nbsp;Financial support</strong></h4> <p>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 <a href="http://future.utoronto.ca/finances/financial-aid">financial assistance programs</a>&nbsp;and view <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGzzL4mt6vY">the video </a>below.<br> <br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGzzL4mt6vY"><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1823 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2016-08-29-student-service-video-embed.jpg?itok=Rv5pR4SZ" style="width: 525px; height: 350px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></a></p> <h4><strong>10)&nbsp;Get connected</strong></h4> <p>Be sure to follow U of T on social media to learn more about your campus, events and resources:<br> <a href="http://twitter.com/uoft">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/uoft/">Instagram</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/universitytoronto?fref=ts">Facebook</a><br> <a href="http://twitter.com/UofTMississauga">Twitter</a>,<a href="http://www.instagram.com/uoftmississauga/"> Instagram</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/UTMississauga">Facebook (UTM)</a><br> <a href="http://twitter.com/utsc">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/utsc/">Instagram</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/UofTScarborough/">Facebook (UTSC)</a></p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__1821 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/2016-08-29-student-services-connected-embed.jpg" style="width: 525px; height: 349px; margin-left: 112px; margin-right: 112px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Photo by Ken Jones</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>For additional info on navigating services and resources, you can also check with your college, faculty or campus student life departments.</em><br> <a href="http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/hello/people">Student Life (St. George campus)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/student-life/">Centre for Student Engagement (Ƶ Mississauga)</a><br> <a href="http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/welcome-department-student-life">Department of Student Life (Ƶ Scarborough)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 29 Aug 2016 20:05:23 +0000 ullahnor 100264 at