Monday, January 23 – Friday, January 27, 2017
We recognize that mental health, and wellness generally, can be a significant and sometimes daily challenge and we are here to support you. The Student Services Office has planned a week of activities to give you pause to think about your own mental health and wellness. We are grateful to the many SLS clubs and committees which have planned events and activities to demonstrate our mutual commitment to mental health and wellness.
Please visit www.justbalance.ca for a list of the resources available in our Faculty, in the University and in the profession…and remember, Laura Little, our embedded Clinical Therapist, is available for individual or group counselling and support.
Monday, January 23, 2017
All Week: AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY! With every purchase at Amicus Curiae, receive a free apple, while supplies last. In the Lower Commons
It turns out that eating an apple a day really does keep the doctor away, according to researchers at Cornell University. Apples are low in calorie density, one of the trademarks of a healthy food. As an added benefit, apples also act as a toothbrush, cleaning teeth and killing bacteria in the mouth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay.
All Week: HERE COMES THE SUN, HERE COMES THE SUN AND I SAY IT’S ALRIGHT!
Lower Commons: Did you know that 15 minutes of light therapy each day can reduce the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder including depression, lethargy, food cravings and social withdrawal? Grab a seat in front of our “Happy Light” located outside of the Student Services Office. Relax, read a book, catch up with a friend. No sign up necessary.
All Day: NOT SO ‘BLUE MONDAY’
Lower Commons: The third Monday of January has been awarded the gloomy title due to a combination of post-holiday blues, cold dark nights, the arrival of unpaid credit card bills, the abandonment of New Year’s resolutions and, at Windsor Law, the release of Fall 2016 grades.
So one week later, let’s stand together against Blue Monday. We will be on the lookout for those wearing Windsor Law gear – win a Tim Hortons gift card to treat yourself to a hot chocolate. Show your pride for Windsor Law and embrace the blue.
All Day: FEEL GOOD, BRING CHANGE
Lower Commons: Windsor Law in Defence of the Wrongfully Convicted will supports Innocence Canada’s petition to the Government to recognize October 2 as Wrongful Convictions Day. Sign the petition, have a treat - your voice matters.
10 am – 1 pm: A TASTE OF GREECE
Lower Commons: Presented by the Hellenic Students of Windsor Law, take a virtual trip to Greece. Treat yourself to some tasty Greek treats, enjoy Greek music and culture.
11 – 4 pm: BREAKFAST – A HEALTHY START
Lower Commons: Breakfast, they say, is the most important meal of the day. Join the Corporate Commercial Club for soothing tea and easy to grab breakfast options. Learn about healthy options and the health benefits of a good meal to start your day.
11 am: TEA, CORN SOUP AND BANNOCK
Main Lawn (Rain Location - Lower Commons): Come join Indigenous Initiatives for cedar tea, corn soup and bannock while learning about traditional wellness and ways of healing. Weather permitting, in partnership with Turtle Island, a teepee will be erected at our main entrance and open to all members of the Windsor Law Community.
12 – 1 pm: KEYNOTE: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR LAW STUDENTS
G104: Doran Gold, Lawyer, Therapist and Personal Coach
Doron Gold is a psychotherapist and former practicing lawyer living and working in Toronto, Canada.Doron works primarily with lawyers, law students, judges as well as other professionals. His personal experience working in the legal profession, coupled with his many years of experiences working with lawyers in distress at the Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program (OLAP) have given him a unique and valuable perspective on the challenges faced by these individuals. Because he understands their lives and their unique challenges, he is able to speak a type of shorthand that allows them to relax and feel seen, heard and understood while not feeling judged.
Doron was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996 and practiced primarily as a family lawyer. He was the lawyer of choice for a number of women's shelters in the area, because he took an interest not only in the technical legal needs of his clients, but in their well-being. He actively and compassionately assisted them in rebuilding their lives and in moving forward successfully. They enforced their legal rights but they also healed themselves, which is just as important. In 2006, Doron determined that the adversarial legal process was not the most constructive avenue through which he could help people. He certified as a personal coach through the Coaches Training Institute and subsequently completed his Masters of Social Work, both of which fit perfectly into the work he began doing for lawyers through OLAP. He would speak daily with legal professionals in distress and help them move towards healing and wellness. He is frequently invited to speak throughout the province and his expertise has also been sought out by publications such as The Canadian Lawyer, LawPro Magazine and Law Times, both in interviews as well as in articles authored by him. He currently writes a bi-monthly column in Law Times as The Lawyer Therapist.
12 – 1 pm: YOGA
Canterbury College: The Faculty of Law, in partnership with Canterbury College and Moksha Yoga, offers free Yoga in the basement of Canterbury College (located directly across the street from the law school). Yoga includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures and is widely practiced for health and relaxation. Advance registration is necessary through Facebook.
1 pm: RECESS GAMES
Lower Commons: Brought to the Law Games Committee, enjoy this throwback to elementary school recess. Stop by to jump rope, show your hula-hoop skills, play hopscotch, or other fun recess activities.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
All Day: MINDFULNESS MOMENT (OR TEN OF THEM)
Clinical studies have documented the physical and mental health benefits of mindfulness. Follow along this guided mindfulness tour to learn how to be completely present in the moment. When you are mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them as good or bad. Play the mindfulness video here.
10 – 4 pm: I’VE GOT YOUR BACK – PEER MENTORSHIP CHECKIN
Take some time to check in with your Peer Mentor or Mentee. It’s that time of year when we could all use a little support. Grab a coffee, take a walk, catch up. Good things happen when the conversation starts.
10 – 1 pm: TABLE TENNIS
Lower Commons: Join the Windsor Law Tennis Club for a rousing game of table tennis. Work on your swing in the off season so that you can be ready for Wimbledon in the Spring.
10:30–11:30 am: WHEEL OF FRUIT
Lower Commons: Spin the Wheel of Fortune, answer a trivia category question about international law and get a piece of fresh fruit for your efforts. Brought to you by the International Law Society.
12 pm: ZENDOODLING
Judges Chambers: Take a break, clear your head, be creative. No pressure. Zendoodling recognizes that the focus when drawing is similar to mediation – it allows you to relax and express yourself creatively. Best of all, you don’t need to be artistic. We will provide the patterns, worksheets and pencils to help you create your very own ZenDoodle. Laura Little, our clinical therapist will get you started.
4 -5 pm: BURNOUT, TRAUMA, AND COMPASSION FATIGUE:
Room G102: THE BASICS FOR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS, Brian Knowler, JD and OPP
This session will discuss the essential information needed to recognize and minimize psychological injuries that are common to law students and lawyers, whose interactions can be traditionally adversarial, negative and stressful in nature. Brian clarifies and differentiates between burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and trauma, and uses the mistakes (and breakthroughs) he made during his own journey through trauma as teaching points.
Brian Knowler is a lawyer and 15-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police. In 2004, Brian was the first responder to the scene of a motor vehicle collision that took the life of the driver, his close friend from university. He buried the memories of that night and buried himself in work and promotions, and isolated himself from his friends and family.
Finally, in 2012, 5 years on the OPP Trauma Support Team, the dam broke and Brian finally sought treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He made it a priority to inform both his officers and the public about the prevalence of PTSD in policing. This has included media interviews, taking part in panel presentations, and lecturing to college classes and policing groups.
Brian firmly believes that PTSD needs to be dragged into the light, not hidden away in the shadows! He will link his experience with that of law students and lawyers.
5:30 pm: MOVIE SCREENING – CHILDREN OF MEN
Amicus Curiae Lounge: Join The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers - Windsor Law Chapter on Tuesday, January 24 for the screening of "Children of Men". This Hollywood film, directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón, provides a disturbing and undeniably real parallel between refugee resettlement in the current age, and that of a dystopian future.
The film takes place in 2027, where two decades of human infertility have left society on the brink of collapse. Illegal immigrants seek sanctuary in the United Kingdom, where the last functioning government imposes oppressive immigration laws on refugees. The fate of the human race hangs in the balance, and hope is found in the most unlikeliest of places.
The event will function like a coffee house, with a brief intro and a discussion at the end of the movie. We will be providing free coffee and snacks, and make sure to BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug)!
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
All Day: BELL LET’S TALK DAY
For every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook video view and Snapchat geofilter used on Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives across Canada. Join the conversation using #BellLetsTalk. So let’s all get connected - reach out to your family and friends, share a word of encouragement or support and help raise funds for initiatives that reduce stigma, to provide care and support and to support research. This is one time where 5¢ can make a real difference.
All Day: GRATITUDE BOARD
Lower Commons: External Outreach invites you to take a moment to recognize the staff of Amicus Curiae as an integral part of the Windsor Law community. Hot coffee, healthy shakes, a campus food bank – all with a smile.
9 – 3 pm: 9th ANNUAL ‘JUSTICE AT WORK’ PUBLIC INTEREST FAIR
Ambassador (CAW) and Moot Court: The 9th Annual Justice at Work conference is today! This year’s theme is “Diversity and Inclusion in Public Interest Law”. Visit www.uwindsor.ca/law/942/justice-work for the complete agenda. .
12 pm: WHEEL OF FRUIT
Lower Commons: Spin the Wheel of Fortune, answer a trivia category question about international law and get a piece of fresh fruit for your efforts. Brought to you by the International Law Society.
12:10 pm: FITNESS BOOTCAMP
Canterbury College: In partnership with Canterbury College and our own Shawn Stewart, an internationally accredited fitness instructor/personal trainer, Fitness Bootcamp is offered in the basement of Canterbury College.
6 – 8:30 pm: LEARN TO SURF at Adventure Bay
“When you are waiting for a wave your mind can think a thousand different things. When you paddle for a wave your mind thinks of only a few things. When you catch a wave your mind thinks of only one thing, that one thing is joy. This is why I surf.”
In partnership with the Windsor Law Surf Club, you can learn to surf at Windsor’s Adventure Bay Waterpark (http://www.adventurebay.ca/Attractions/Pages/default.aspx#FLOWRIDER). You must be at least 48” tall to stand up surf (and this is one test we can all ace).
7 pm: 13TH AMENDMENT SCREENING
1123 Education Building: The Muslim Law Association of Windsor presents a screening of the “13th Amendment”, a 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay (also directed Selma). Centered on race in the United States criminal justice system. This documentary, now featured on Netflix, has garnered acclaim from film critics.
The full Thirteenth Amendment to the US reads as follows: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
9 pm: Pajama Party pubclub
Join the Social Committee for “A PJ Party” at pubclub (http://thepubclubwindsor.com). $5 cover charge. Once SLS Announcements and FB for details.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
All Day: GO ASK ALICE (as in Columbia U’s Health Promotion Team) ABOUT SLEEP
Sleep makes you feel better, but its importance goes way beyond just boosting your mood or banishing under-eye circles. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Alice has some great tips and tools to help you improve your sleep. Take a personalized sleep assessment, start a sleep diary and sleep your way to better grades (yes, research shows good sleep habits make a difference!). Check out: https://sleep.health.columbia.edu
All Day: SAFE A LIVE TODAY – DONATE BLOOD
What greater gift is there than the gift of life? That’s exactly what every blood donation delivers. Blood and blood products are a critical part of everyday medical care including major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments and managing disease. Book an appointment today at www.blood.ca/donate.
12 pm: PROCRASTI-KNIT-ING
Room 1111: This is not your grandmother’s knitting club. Join Katie Behan for a one hour knitting lesson – no special skills needed and we will supply the yarn and needles.
12 pm: WHEEL OF FRUIT
Lower Commons: Spin the Wheel of Fortune, answer a trivia category question about international law and get a piece of fresh fruit for your efforts. Brought to you by the International Law Society.
12 – 2 pm: MOCKTAIL HAPPY HOUR
Come sample non-alcoholic alternatives, courtesy of the Students’ Law Society Mental Health Awareness Committee. Enjoy the club ambience with music and mocktails.
4:30 pm: LAW SCHOOL PETADOGGY
G111: The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, Windsor Chapter knows that spending time with a dog is actually good for you! Dogs get you outside and moving, they both distract you and keep you present, they make great listeners and give unconditional love. Research has shown that petting a dog actually reduces stress levels. So bring your dog to school! Don’t have a dog? Don’t worry, there will be lots of furry friends for everyone.
5 pm: HEALTH COOKOFF
G104: Join the Family Law Club for the first ever Windsor Law Health Cookoff! Prepare your healthiest ‘non-cooking’ meal - bring everything you need to prepare a healthy meal – the ingredients, the utensils. No heating or pre-preparation permitted. Your meal must serve two people and be healthy. The winners of the cook-off will have their healthy meals featured during February’s 28 Day Challenge. Watch for details about the 28 Day Challenge during the week, sign up and get ready to get healthy. Let’s get fit together!
8-11 pm: BREAKING DOWN THE BACKLOG
Punch Bowl Social: Join If/When/How Detroit Mercy Law and Windsor Law to support Enough SAID Detroit so that all those to raise money for the testing of the kits, as well as the investigation and prosecution of these forgotten crimes of sexual violence. Tickets are $25 for students.
Friday, January 27
All Day: DRINKER’S CHECKUP
Before the weekend, take a moment to get a better understanding of your drinking including any risks it might pose. Consider whether to make changes to your drinking habits and how to make those changes. Details are available at http://www.drinkerscheckup.com.
9:30 – 11:30 am: QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING
Room G110: QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. A QPR gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. Be a gatekeeper.
This session is sponsored by the UW Student Counselling Centre. All participants who complete this training will receive QPR certification.
12 pm: THE WINDSOR ITALIAN LAW ASSOCIATION PRESENT: ROCCO GALATI (and Lunch!)
Moot Court: His grade 8 teacher said “in order to succeed Rocco must change his attitude”. The Toronto Star noted that “his mistrust of authority is the backbone of his successful law practice.” Rocco Galati has challenged judicial appointments, fought the federal government over the treatment of Roma refugees, and represented those charged with acts of terrorism. His practice is largely tax, immigration and constitutional law matters. His lecture is a must for all law students.
The Windsor Italian Law Association will host a complimentary lunch for those attending Mr. Galati’s lecture because food is good for the soul.
1:30 pm: FITNESS BOOTCAMP
Canterbury College: In partnership with Canterbury College and our own Shawn Stewart, an internationally accredited fitness instructor/personal trainer, Fitness Bootcamp is offered in the basement of Canterbury College.
5 – 9 pm: BOARD GAME CAFÉ
Lower Commons: The Lower Commons will be taken over by Snakes and Lancers offering your favourite boards games. Take a well-deserved break from readings to be a kid again.