Good Health and Wellbeing
| 3.3.1 Current collaborations with health institutions | |||
Does your university as a body have current collaborations with local or global health institutions to improve health and well-being outcomes? Lakehead University actively collaborates with local, national and global health institutions to enhance health and well-being outcomes. Our partnerships and joint initiatives encompass various areas of health research and practices. Examples of some current initiatives by Lakehead researchers include:
Dementia Café: Supporting those Affected by Dementia Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, leads the North West Dementia Working Group. Her research in self-management of dementia led to the development of the Dementia Café, a community space to share and inform dementia-related experiences, needs and challenges. More information on the project can be found here.
Palliative Care Access for Vulnerable Populations Dr. Lynn Martin leads a national project to improve access to palliative care for underserved populations by identifying gaps in services, and developing recommendations for patients, caregivers and health care providers. More information on this project can be found here. EPID@WORK - Interventions to manage mental health disorders in the workplace Lakehead University’s Enhancing the Prevention of Injury and Disability (EPID@WORK) is continuing current collaborations with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (Superior Mental Wellness @ Work) on identifying, developing, implementing and evaluating tools and interventions designed to mitigate the impacts of mental health disorders on workers and workplaces.
Imaging Techniques Enhancing Disease Detection | |||
| 3.3.2 Health outreach programmes | |||
Does your university as a body deliver outreach programmes and projects in the local community (which can include student volunteering programmes) to improve or promote health & wellbeing including hygiene, nutrition, family planning, sports, exercise, aging well, and other health and wellbeing related topics? Lakehead University is deeply committed to delivering outreach programs and projects in the local communities we serve. These initiatives encompass a wide range of topics including improving and promoting health and well-being, hygiene, nutrition, sports and youth exercise. Our programs include:
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| 3.3.3 Shared sports facilities | |||
Does your university as a body share sports facilities with the local community, for instance with local schools or with the general public? Lakehead University's Thunder Bay campus features the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse (15,000 sq ft), Wolf Den (30,000 sq ft) and the Hangar (50,000 sq ft) facilities which include: gymnasium, fitness centre, swimming pool, cardio room, outdoor sports fields, beach volleyball courts, running track, artificial turf, climbing room, weight training, aerobic and cardio areas. Outdoor facilities such as the volleyball courts and soccer field are available to the public on a first-come first-serve basis at no charge. The public can also purchase a membership or day pass to access these facilities using the link found here. The university offers a number of paid and free programs for children and youth, including sports day camps, birthday events, and school outreach programs such as "ActiveU" which provides children and youth in the community access to the sports facilities on campus to play sports and receive coaching and leadership skills. Lakehead Orillia Students are eligible for a “Fun Pass” that allows access to the Orillia Recreation Centre. Students have access to the Fitness Centre, drop-in recreational programs, and access to all facility amenities, including an indoor walking/jogging track, gymnasium & aquatic centre. Additional Resources: | |||
| 3.3.4 Sexual and reproductive health care services for students | |||
Does your university as a body provide students access to sexual and reproductive health-care services including information and education services? Lakehead University provides free medical health services to students through its Student Health and Wellness Centre including sexual health services such as sexual health, education, sexually transmitted infection testing, birth control, pregnancy testing and male health. In addition to healthcare services, Lakehead University’s Office of Human Rights and Equity provides advocacy for students concerning the protection of human rights, including issues related to sexual violence and reproductive information. | |||
| 3.3.5 Mental health support for students | |||
Does your university as a body provide students with access to mental health support? Lakehead University is committed to supporting the mental health of its students and staff through a holistic health and well-being approach. Lakehead University’s Wellness Strategy acknowledges that prioritizing health and wellness interventions is key to promoting success within the classroom and in the workplace. Faculty and staff at the university have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), along with 24/7 telephone support for mental health concerns. Students enrolled at Lakehead University benefit from the services provided by the Student Health and Wellness office, where they can access a wide array of services such as counselling, health services and wellness programs, all available at no cost to students. The Student Health and Wellness office actively engages in Health Promotion Services which focuses on education, promotion and advocacy to support student health and academic success. Through collaboration with students, faculty and community agencies health promotion initiatives offered include:
To support Indigenous students and promote cross-cultural understanding among students and staff, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives also coordinates an “Elder in Residence” program which invites an Indigenous elder or knowledge keeper to provide traditional knowledge, cultural guidance, cultural teachings and counselling to students and staff. Additional Resources: | |||
| 3.3.6 Smoke-free policy | |||
Does your university as a body have a ‘smoke-free’ policy? Lakehead University is dedicated to creating a healthy, safe and cleaner environment for all individuals on campus and has established a Smoking on Premises Policy and Recreational Cannabis on Premises Policy to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke. Through these policies, Lakehead University commits to providing resources for smoking cessation programs to support students, faculty and staff in their efforts to quit smoking. However, it is important to note that Lakehead University is not entirely a smoke-free campus. The university does allow for the on-campus use of burning the four sacred medicines as part of Indigenous spiritual practices for personal use or during cultural and educational events. This accommodation is outlined in the Indigenous Cultural Ceremonies Policy. Specifically, Lakehead University supports Indigenous cultural ceremonies on campus that involve the use of the four sacred medicines including but not limited to personal use, one-on-one counselling sessions, opening/closing prayers for events, smudging, feasts, sacred circle gatherings, sacred fires, pipe ceremonies, pow wows, drumming and singing. Therefore, while Lakehead University promotes a smoke-free environment for general tobacco and cannabis use, it recognizes and respects the cultural significance of the four sacred medicines in Indigenous practices and provides accommodation and protocol for their ceremonial use on campus. | |||
| 3.3.7 Mental health support for staff | |||
Does your university as a body provide staff with access to mental health support? Lakehead University is committed to supporting the mental health of its staff and students through a holistic health and well-being approach. Lakehead University’s Wellness Strategy acknowledges that prioritizing health and wellness interventions is key to promoting success within the workplace and classroom. Faculty and staff at the university have access to the free Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), along with 24/7 telephone support for mental health concerns. Lakehead University also offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees which includes mental health supports. To support Indigenous staff and students and promote cross-cultural understanding, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives also coordinates an “Elder in Residence” program which invites an Indigenous elder or knowledge keeper to provide traditional knowledge, cultural guidance, cultural teachings and counselling to staff and students. Additional Resources: |
This societal impact focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.