Wellness Centre
Wellness Centre Location & Mission Statement
The Wellness Centre is located at Old Main 1479 (first floor) on the Kamloops Campus of Thompson Rivers University (TRU). TRU campuses are located on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwépemc'ulucw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Tŝilhqot'in, Nuxalk, and Dakelh, and Métis communities within these territories. The Wellness Centre has made it a priority to learn more about Indigenous and other cultural wellness practices in order to provide appropriate care and support to all people who access our services.
“The Wellness Centre promotes the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, occupational, and spiritual well-being of TRU students and employees by providing a comprehensive package of health education and promotion activities, services and programs.”
What is the Wellness Centre?
The Wellness Centre values the health of all students and employees on campus, and aims to provide unique, educational and fun programs that will provide the skills and tools needed to create a more harmonious and balanced lifestyle.
It is a safe place for students to hang out, take a nap, read a book, play a game, have a cup of tea, learn about helpful resources, and access one-on-one health and wellness support.
Wellness Centre Etiquette
- Maximum of 8 visitors in the space at one time.
- The quiet/tech free room will be available with a maximum of 2 users at one time.
- Masks must be worn correctly at all times. This means that your nose and mouth must be covered.
- Due to Covid-19, there will be no eating and drinking in the centre, so we will not be serving tea at the moment.
- While in the centre, we expect respectful language and behaviour. We do not tolerate discriminatory language or actions including those that are racist, misogynist, homophobic, or include hate speech.
Wellness Centre Services
- One-to-One peer support
Members of the Student Wellness Ambassador Team (SWAT) will be present in the centre Monday-Friday to support students who want to connect with a peer. They are all Certified Peer Educators and have received over 50 hours of training to prepare them for this role. SWAT Leaders can listen to student’s wellness concerns in a kind, open, and approachable way, and can offer support by connecting students with relevant campus and community resources.
- Professional Health Consultations, Wellness Planning and Education Sessions
Chelsea Corsi (she/her), Senior Wellness Coordinator, is a registered nurse and is available for health consultations with students on topics such as nutrition, mild stress, sexual health, substance use, wellness planning, healthy relationships, sleep hygiene, etc. To schedule an appointment please email her directly at ccorsi@tru.ca.Once your email is received you will be emailed details regarding an appointment time.
- Health and Wellness workshops, presentations, and outreach events
- Check out our News & Events section for upcoming workshops and presentations.
- You can catch recordings of all the Wellness in Your House Episodes on our YouTube Channel.
- Interested in some at-home Yoga? Find your Zen through our Yoga With Joy playlist
- Take Home Naloxone (THN) Site
Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the side effects from an opioid overdose (fentanyl, morphine, heroin, methadone, etc.). The Wellness Centre offers naloxone training in 15-20 minutes. If you come to the centre at OM 1479, anytime we are open, one of the Student Wellness Ambassadors or the Wellness Coordinator can train you and provide you with your own THN kit.
FREE Special Programs/Events
Mindful Meditation with Chaplain Venerable Ani Gawa Khandro
Date: Tuesdays, January 11 - April 12, 2022
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Location: Prayer Room OM 2494
Drop-in for a few minutes or the entire hour to learn about and practice mindful meditation. Research demonstrates that practicing mindfulness boosts the wellbeing of your mind, body, and spirit. Beginners and advanced mindful practitioners welcome.
Breathwork Break – FREE Weekly 20 Minute Session
Date: Thursdays, January 13 – May 26, 2022
Time: noon – 12:20 p.m.
Location: On Zoom. Pre-register using this link.
Explore the basics of breath and the power of awareness with Wellness Leader Cheryl Hawrychuk. Set aside 20 minutes to participate in a guided breathwork journey to help create calm and stillness in your mind, body, and spirit. In collaboration with People and Culture Health and Wellbeing.
Beading as a Cultural Practice
Date: Tuesday, Feb 8, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: TRU Wellness Centre (OM 1479, 1st floor Old Main Building)
Did you know that beading has a very long Indigenous cultural history? Research has linked the art of beading to the resiliency and cultural values of Indigenous peoples. Doe will share her beading practice with us and we will have the chance to engage in a beading activity. Supplies will be provided.
The Kindness Initiative
Date: Week of February 14-18, 2022
Location: Bulletin Boards across Campus
Throughout the week of February 14, we encourage you to partake in acts of kindness in our community. Please keep an eye for our Random Acts of Kindness tear-away sheets on bulletin boards across campus to choose an act of kindness you would like to engage in. Use the hashtag #SpreadKindness on Instagram to share your experience and be entered into a prize draw for a self-care basket.
Kindness Day
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Campus Green (Outside of Old Main)
On Wednesday, February 16, the TRU Wellness Centre will be hosting 'Kindness Day’ outside of Old Main on the Campus Green. Stop by and share your experiences of participating in The Kindness Initiative and engage in dialogue with other students. We will be handing out surprise gifts so be sure to arrive early.
The Medicine Wheel: Learning from this Indigenous Model of Wellness
Date: Tuesday, Feb 15, 2022
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: OLARA Building - 2nd Floor - Office of Indigenous Education and All My Relations
The Medicine Wheel has been used by Indigenous communities for generations to guide health and healing practices. In this session Doe will share her perspectives about the Medicine Wheel and will engage participants in a discussion about how the key teachings can guide us individually and collectively.
Dreamcatcher's: The True Cultural Significance
Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: OLARA Building - 2nd Floor- Office of Indigenous Education and All My Relations
Due to their beauty and connection to wellbeing, dreamcatchers have been appropriated by many different companies and businesses. The true history of the dreamcatcher lies with the Anishinaabe people, a group of culturally and linguistically related First Nations people whose territories surround the Great Lakes. During this session we will honour this tradition by creating dreamcatchers of our own and discuss their relationship to health and protection. We will also dive a little deeper and discuss what cultural appropriation means and how we can honour diverse cultural practices in a way that is respectful and appropriate.
'Swap Till' You Drop' Clothing Swap
Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Campus Court (area outside of HOL)
Join us for a free, COVID friendly, body neutral clothing shop that encourages sustainability, self-care, and a worldly acceptance of people. We are accepting donations of gently used, clean, and washed clothing items at the TRU Wellness Centre (OM 1479) until Wednesday, February 16 at 4pm.
To participate in the event, please drop by the area outside of HOL and pick out some clothes for free on Wednesday, March 2.
Sharing Circle: Engaging with the Land for Well-being
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: TRU Wellness Centre (OM 1479, 1st floor Old Main Building)
The land is integral to the health and wellness teachings of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people. Doe will lead this sharing circle about what we can learn about our health and wellness when we engage with the land.
FYI - Doe will be present in the Wellness Centre this day from 10:30am - 1:30pm. Please drop by anytime to meet and connect with her.
Informal Connections with Doe
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: TRU Wellness Centre - OM 1479 (1st Floor, Old Main Building)
For those of you who would like an opportunity to meet and connect with Doe, this day is an open time to join her informally in the Wellness Centre space. Please drop in anytime to meet and connect.
TRU Wellness Centre Compliment Flyers
Date: Throughout the winter semester
Location: Bulletin Boards across Campus
One kind word or gesture can change a person's whole day so why not spread a little kindness? Keep your eyes open for compliment flyers on bulletin boards across the campus. Tear away a compliment or two and share it with your peers!
Do you need to connect with someone?
If you need to connect with someone regarding your health during a time we are closed or unavailable, please contact the TRU Counselling Department at 250-828-5023, TRU Health Services at 250-828-5126, or call HealthLink BC at 811.
Tips for Grounding - PDF document
One-to-one Health and Wellness Planning and Education Sessions
Students and employees can make one-on-one appointments to discuss health and wellness related issues. These issues may include, but are not limited to, stress, substance use, nutrition, sexual health, healthy relationships, problems with work-life balance, etc..
Are you looking for more information on how to support yourself or others with substance use concerns? Please check out towardtheheart.com.
Stress
Freaking out? Learn how to manage stress and still be a successful student.
Nutrition
Pigging out? Check out easy recipes and nutrition tips for university students.
Events
Look for one of our fun and educational events on campus throughout the year.
Sleep
Find out how important sleep is and how you can sleep better.
Wellness Updates
Overcoming office hour anxiety
Wednesday, January 26 2022
Office hours allow you to introduce yourself, ask questions, express interest and demonstrate your willingness to put in some time and effort.
Read moreMental health strategies for the holiday season
Wednesday, December 22 2021
Making a mental health plan can reduce emotional strain and contribute to your overall health and wellness over the holiday season.
Read moreAward supports Indigenous health-care professionals
Monday, December 6 2021
A team of TRU grant holders are the proud recipients of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Reach Award for their Participatory Indigenous Nursing Knowledge Translation project.
Read moreConsent education for the next generation
Tuesday, June 8 2021
The first Consent Cafe, an event promoting consent education in youth, was facilitated by the TRU Wellness Centre, Sexualized Violence and Prevention and Response, and the Kamloops School of the Arts.
Read moreNavigating consent in the digital age
Thursday, May 13 2021
If you're looking to have a flirty exchange on your device, consistently checking in and ensuring consent is the sexiest (and safest) way to connect.
Read moreReset your life with breathwork practices
Friday, April 30 2021
Improve concentration and manage stress, with strategies from Breathwork Coach Cheryl Hawrychuk.
Read moreEstablishing a foundation of health and well-being
Thursday, April 15 2021
Discover ways to balance wellness practices with academic responsibilities.
Read more