We are proud to celebrate and recognize our employees who have reached significant service milestones in 2024 and 2025. Below is the list of honourees recognized at this year's reception!
2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|
|
2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|
|
2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|
|
2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|
|
Are you looking for ways to boost your mental wellness? Join The Royal Mental Hygiene Challenge for 2025!
Hello friends,
In previous years, you may have heard of The Royal’s annual Mental Hygiene Challenge. We’d love to have you participate for the 2025 edition. Here's a rundown of what to expect:
The price: It’s still free!
The platform: Participants still get access to our user-friendly and fulsome Mental Hygiene Resource Toolkit.
The parameters: Spend 10 minutes every day throughout March on simple, research-based activities to support your mental health.
The positive outcomes: Mental hygiene is an excellent way to take care of our mental health. In fact, thanks to surveys filled out by previous participants (THANK YOU!), our researchers were able to show that the Mental Hygiene Challenge had a real and positive impact on people’s wellness scores. Pretty cool, eh?
You can read more about the Mental Hygiene Challenge here and check out our teaser video here!
This year, we've developed more guided meditations, more blueprints to help you get started, and an even more robust research approach.
AND this year, for the first time ever, we're hosting an interactive event focused entirely on mental hygiene! Join us on MARCH 4 at 7 p.m. to learn more about mental hygiene, meet our experts, meet fellow challenge-takers, and ask us questions - click here to learn more.
Whether you completed the challenge last year or not, we encourage you to treat yourself to ten minutes of mental hygiene every day. You deserve it.
Join the challenge today - it starts March 1st, 2025.
Share your experience and follow along on your favourite social media channels using the hashtag #MentalHygieneChallenge. Be sure to join their Facebook group as well!
Ps – Sometimes challenges are even more fun when they’re done with a friend. Feel free to invite a friend, colleague, or loved one so you can do it together.
Dear Lakehead University Community,
Mark you calendars for Employee Appreciation Day on March 7th, 2025! We are thrilled to continue the tradition of celebrating the incredible contributions of our dedicated Lakehead University employees.
This year, we're bringing back the popular hourly prize draws and making it even easier for you to participate and follow along.
Hourly Prize Draws: Throughout the day, Human Resources will randomly draw one active Lakehead University employee (staff/faculty) from both the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses each hour, starting at 10:00 AM.
Check the Winners: Stay tuned to the official event page: Employee Appreciation Day, to see if you're a winner! We will post the names of the lucky winners every hour, leading up to the grand prize announcements at 3:00pm.
Prize Pick-up: Winners in Thunder Bay can collect their prizes immediately from the Human Resources office (UC 0003), and winners in Orillia can collect their prizes later the following week from OA 2012.
To make this event even more special, we encourage departments and employee groups to donate items for our prize draws. Consider donating Lakehead University branded merchandise, gift certificates, or other exciting prizes.
Donation Drop-off:
We are looking forward to a day of celebration and recognition for our amazing Lakehead University community.
In health,
Jonathon Racine (he/him)
Wellness Strategy Coordinator, Lakehead University
807-343-8010 ext. 7246 | wellnesscoordinator@lakeheadu.ca
P.s. - Remember to check the Employee Appreciation page for the hourly winner announcements!
Dear Colleagues,
We are excited to announce a new monthly gathering, Lakehead Gathers: Your Community, Your Wellbeing, designed to bring together all of us employees in a welcoming environment focused on connection, wellness, and community building.
What is Lakehead Gathers?
This initiative, part of our Wellness Strategy, is hosted by Human Resources and is all about creating a space where we come together, connect, and build a true sense of belonging. By sharing ideas, values, and even the little things that bring us joy, we strengthen our workplace community and remind each other that we’re part of something bigger. This initiative emphasizes the importance of connection in driving personal and professional growth, making every member feel valued and inspired.
Why Participate?
Lakehead Gathers is your opportunity to recharge, make meaningful connections, and gain fresh perspectives. Whether it's through a shared story, a creative exchange, or a lively discussion, each gathering will enrich our community and support a balanced and vibrant campus culture. It's more than a lunch break—it's an opportunity to step away from our daily routines, engage with colleagues, and participate in activities that promote our personal and collective well-being. From interactive sessions like vision boarding and cultural celebrations to fun, relaxed picnics and movement-based activities, Lakehead Gathers will explore all nine dimensions of wellness throughout the year.
Schedule and Themes:
Beginning February 20th, 2025, these lunchtime gatherings will take place in the Faculty Lounge (Thunder Bay) on the third Thursday of most months from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (September, May, and December are excluded; July will be an outdoor event, weather permitting).
For a preview of our upcoming sessions, please click here.
Each session will offer a mix of activities like guest speakers, breakout discussions, and interactive experiences—plus plenty of unstructured time to simply connect with colleagues. Drop in when you can, whether it's for a few minutes or the whole session—there’s no pressure! Light refreshments will be provided, and feel free to bring your own lunch.
We encourage you to mark your calendars and join us for this journey in wellness and community building. Stay tuned for more details on each upcoming session. For more information, please visit our website at lakeheadu.ca/lakeheadgathers
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Human Resources
Lakehead University
Drumroll, Please!
Announcing the Winners of the 2nd Annual Lakehead University Employee Halloween Contest!
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year's contest, coordinated by the Lakehead University Social Committee! Your creativity and enthusiasm truly brought the spirit of Halloween to campus.
Without further ado, the winners are:
Best Group Costume:
| Best Decorated Office Space:
|
Congratulations to all the winners! Your hard work and dedication have made this year's contest a resounding success.
Want to see more of the spooky fun? Click here to view a gallery of all the amazing entries:
We'd love to hear your feedback on this year's contest! Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts through this quick and easy survey:
Link to Feedback Form: Halloween Contest Feedback
We look forward to seeing even more spooktacular entries next year!
Lakehead University Social Committee
For the 5th year, Lakehead University celebrated Thrive Week, from January 22 to 26, by hosting a week-long series of events helping all members of our community to explore their pathways to better mental health, well-being and resilience.
It was our biggest Thrive Week yet, and it really felt like a campus initiative with so many Lakehead departments, LUSU and student groups taking part.
Check out some #EmployeesThrive highlights from Thrive Week 2024 below:
Thrive Week Challenge Card Winner |
|
Thrive Week 2024 aimed to increase mental health literacy, build healthy habits and self-care skills, and help foster a community of wellness at Lakehead University. We challenged Lakehead employees to Thrive at Your Own Pace by completing different healthy habits throughout the week. Congratulations to Vanessa Nichols (Project Coordinator with EPID@Work Research Institute) for having their card randomly drawn from the employee submissions. She won a basket of self-care items sponsered by LU Human Resources. |
Digital Wall of Champions | |
As part of Thrive Week 2024 we asked employees to share a positive message or story about a colleague who makes a difference in our Lakehead community. Check out all the messages on our Digital Wall of Champions! If you didn't already add your message you still have time, CLICK HERE and add yours before submissions close. |
HR Employee Benefits Thrive Basket Winner | |
Congratulations to JerriLynn Orr (Indigenous Curriculum Specialist in Teaching Commons) for winning the HR Employee Benefits Thrive basket which included Lakehead swag donated by the LU Bookstore, and $25 gift card sponsored by Greenshield Canada. She stopped by the employee benefits information table last week during Thunderwolves Thrive and entered into the draw. Check out the Resources for Staff page for information regarding employee Benefits, Workplace Standards, HR related Policies, the Employee & Family Assistance Program, Staff Award Nominations, Wellness resources, and much, much more. | |
Alumni’s The Resiliency Project | ||
During Thrive Week 2024, Lakehead University Alumni launched The Resiliency Project, extending a warm welcome to all students and graduates! This platform serves as a dedicated safe space for mental health discussions, fostering connections, and actively participating in events. Come join us as we host a number of workshops and events during 2024! |
Thrive Week 2024 Feedback | |
Did you attend an event or participate in Thrive Week 2024 and want to share your thoughts? Use our Thrive Week 2024 Feedback Form so we can continue to improve our offerings and will look to incorporate them in planning for next year's Thrive Week. | |
Thrive is an initiative that began at UBC as a conversation between colleagues about the importance of reducing the stigma associated with mental health. It has since grown into a movement celebrated at campuses across Canada, providing opportunities for important conversations about mental health to take place.
Thank you all for taking part and supporting Thrive Week!!!
Thrive Week 2024, January 22-26, 2024 - Lakehead University
#ThriveWeek2024 #EmployeesThrive #LakeheadThrives #ThunderwolvesThrive
Dear Lakehead,
Wow! What an incredible Thrive Week we just had! It's hard to believe another year has come and gone, and we're so thrilled that this, our 6th annual Thrive Week, was bigger and better than ever. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone across campus truly made it special.
From the self-paced challenges of the Thrive Week Challenge Card and the heartwarming messages on the Digital Wall of Champions, to gaining valuable insights at the GreenShield and TELUS Health presentations, and exploring resources at the HR Open House, there was something for everyone. We loved seeing so many of you embrace the outdoors at Procrastinate & Skate and cheer on our Thunderwolves at the Volleyball and Hockey games! These are just a few of the many highlights that made this year so memorable.
Thrive Week is all about prioritizing well-being, and we hope you found the various events and activities beneficial. Your participation and engagement are what make this week so impactful.
A special thank you to Lindsey Watcher from Student Health and Wellness for spearheading this annual initiative. Her dedication and vision are instrumental to Thrive Week's continued success. We also extend our sincere gratitude to all those who collaborated and supported the development and implementation of this amazing event. Your combined efforts made it truly exceptional!
We'd love to hear about your Thrive Week experience! Your feedback is invaluable in helping us shape future events and ensure we're meeting the needs of our community. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts by clicking on the following link:
Thank you again for making Thrive Week such a resounding success. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
In health,
Jonathon Racine (he/him)
Wellness Strategy Coordinator, Lakehead University
807-343-8010 ext. 7246 | wellnesscoordinator@lakeheadu.ca
Your Dashboard has been updated to make it easier for you to access your services. The Navigation Bar now includes three headings: Coverage, Care Services, and Discover. The Coverage tab will contain all Insurance and Claims actions and information. The Care Services tab will contain all Health Services available to you. The Discover tab will include personalized information and services.
The Dashboard has also been updated to present your applicable Care Services in category tiles. You can navigate to any of your Care Services from these tiles.
Please note that depending on your plan type, you may only have access to some of the Navigation Bar and Care Services tile options.
If you’re having difficulty accessing your services, or have questions about this change, please contact the GreenShield support team by email at support@greenshield.ca
Join one of our upcoming webinars to learn about the new GROWTHplus Investment Account, designed specifically for CAAT Pension Plan members. Get the inside scoop on its benefits and how it can work for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn all the key details tailored just for you!
We offer closed captioning at all our webinars. Select the specific drop down on the registration page when you sign-up.
Thursday, January 30 12:30pm – 1:30pm EST
Wednesday, February 12 12:30pm – 1:30pm EST
Take me to the registration page!
Speak French? Visit our webpage for French webinars.
We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have questions or comments please email contact@caatpension.ca
Shifting the Focus from Weight to Health
Do your workplace wellness plans for this year include activities that focus on weight management? While they may be good intentioned, approaches to wellness that emphasize weight loss actually do more harm than good.
Promotion of simplistic messaging around eating, physical activity and weight loss have unintentionally caused harm, contributing to weight bias, stigma and discrimination. This has resulted in weight-related teasing, bullying, harassment, ostracism, pressure to lose weight, and negative comments about appearance. The toll of this social injustice is significant to all aspects of health and it's time for change.
Public health is shifting the focus from "obesity prevention" to health promotion and weight stigma prevention –putting more emphasis on health, not weight. While we are taking steps to be more body inclusive in our programs and services, we invite all organizations to consider how health is defined by more than just a number on a scale. It is integrated with physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The following are some basic precepts to consider for a more body-inclusive approach to wellness promotion:
Workplace Wellness Champions are encouraged to be mindful of how their ongoing health messaging is framed. Let's work together towards supporting the wellbeing of every body.
Check out the following resources for specific actions you can take to reduce weight stigma and show respect for body diversity:
Eating Disorder Awareness Week Toolkit
February 1-7, 2025 is Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This is a national campaign to highlight the impact of eating disorders, challenge stereotypes and misconceptions, and offer guidance on how to support those living with an eating disorder.
This year, Every Body Collaborative – Thunder Bay Chapter has developed a toolkit with educational resources and campaign materials. It includes templates for stickers and posters, and step-by-step guides to running your own Mirrorless Monday or No Diet Day campaign. The toolkit can be tailored to any education, healthcare, or workplace setting.
Eating disorders affect us all and it takes a community to foster a culture of awareness and healing.
Click here to view the Eating Disorder Awareness Week Toolkit
Upcoming Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) Training
The Thunder Bay Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association will be hosting ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshops in 2025. During this two-day interactive workshop participants will learn how to:
For details and to sign up, visit: https://thunderbay.cmha.ca/programs/applied-suicide-intervention-skills-training-asist/
If you're looking for support to build a healthy workplace program, TBDHU can help!
Our team of workplace wellness experts supports organizations with developing a
workplace wellness program based on their unique needs.
All services are free! For more information, visit TBDHU Workplace Health,
call 807-625-5900 or email workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.
We're excited to announce the release of the 7th edition of Our Trail to Wellness, focusing on Occupational Wellness for all members of our Lakehead community—students, faculty, and staff alike. This issue offers practical strategies to achieve balance, purpose, and satisfaction in your work and studies. It highlights the importance of building meaningful connections, embracing challenges, and aligning your daily efforts with personal values. Fostering growth and creating supportive environments are at the heart of this edition.
Key highlights include: insights from career development experts; an overview of the EPID@Work study; details on Thrive Week and the launch of Lakehead Gathers; and tailored resources such as career services, co-op programmes, and training opportunities. This issue invites reflection on how finding purpose and creating positive dynamics can enhance well-being across our entire community.
To read the full newsletter >>> CLICK HERE <<<
As you explore this issue, take time to reflect on what brings joy and fulfilment to your work or studies. By embracing occupational wellness, we can continue building a thriving, connected, and supportive Lakehead community.
Take care, be well, and thank you,
Jonathon Racine (he/him)
Wellness Strategy Coordinator, Lakehead University
807-343-8010 ext. 7246 | wellnesscoordinator@lakeheadu.ca
Got a story or tips to share about your wellness journey? We're excited to feature insights from Lakehead students, faculty and staff! Submit your ideas for future newsletters focusing on Social, Spiritual, and Physical Wellness.
To subscribe to the Our Trail to Wellness Newsletter, please SIGN UP HERE
Workplace Wellness Update for Thunder Bay and District
The TBDHU Workplace Wellness Team wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for your continued dedication to employee wellness. We look forward to providing you with helpful information, training opportunities, and new workplace wellness resources in the coming year.
Did you miss the recent webinar on how to create a psychologically healthy workplace? Good news - it's not too late to deepen your learning on this important topic. You can watch the recording!
Click on the webinar recording link below to learn about how you can support the mental health of employees in your workplace. As Krystina Hunter, the webinar facilitator outlines, there are key meaningful actions any organization can take to foster a psychologically safe work environment, even with tight budgets, busy schedules, and competing priorities.
What's even better? The webinar also offered bonus materials to participants. If you are interested in these, please send us a quick email at workplacewellness@tbdhu.com. We'll be happy to send them to you.
The webinar was an initiative of SuperiorMentalWellness@Work, a collaborative project coordinated by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
For information about the workplace mental wellness resources and for details about future learning events, visit SuperiorMentalWellnessAtWork.com
Click here to view the webinar
Workplace Safety North recently published a new guide to assist owners of small businesses to manage employee mental health. It was developed by advisors who are certified in psychological health and safety and trained by the Canadian Mental Health Association. This guide outlines the simple steps to recognize and manage factors that can affect mental health at the workplace. It also provides resources and tools to help small business leaders to create a supportive and safe environment for mental health.
Click here to view the Mental Health Guide for Small Businesses
Are you looking for a great way to challenge your coworkers to sit less and move more? Check out TBDHU's "12 Days of Sit Less" Challenge Toolkit. It offers workplace wellness champions a really easy way to encourage employees to take breaks from sitting each day. The customizable email templates make it as simple as "copy and paste" and have fun!
Check out the 12 Days of Sit Less Challenge Toolkit at this hyperlink: TBDHU 12 Days of Sit Less Challenge Toolkit
Koru Training and Consulting in Thunder Bay is hosting a Mental Health First Aid for First Nations training. This is a culturally adapted training program designed for First Nations participants and anyone that works with First Nations people and communities. The 3-day training event is scheduled for January 21-23, 2025. For details, visit korudirection.com/training
Get ready for a fun-filled family night out!
The LU Social Committees is excited to offer Lakehead Employees and their family a chance to attend the Lakehead Thunderwolves vs. York Lions game on Friday, January 3rd, 2025, at 7 PM at Fort William Gardens.
Limited Tickets Available!
To ensure everyone has a chance to attend, a maximum of 2 tickets per RSVP will be available to employees while quantities last.
To secure your FREE tickets, simply RSVP before Wednesday, January 1st, 2025.
How to RSVP: https://forms.gle/DgBTAhhyX7VMwHGT9
Ticket Pickup:
Let's show our Thunderwolves spirit - wear your gold and blue to cheer on our team!
We can't wait to see you there!
Sincerely,
The Lakehead University Social Committee
P.S. You can find more information about the event here: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/departments/services/hr/events/archive/node/237532.
It’s finally happening – our plan changes are in effect as of January 1, 2025. This is good news for both our DBprime and DBplus members.
DBprime: Your contribution rate is going down. This means that you will be paying less while continuing to earn the same valuable benefit.
DBplus: Your annual pension factor is going up. This means that your pension will grow faster.
For full details about the plan changes, check out the FAQ section on the website.
Stop your scrolling! You can’t miss the answers to our members’ top questions about our new optional savings account.
Want to know even more about how CAAT’s new member-focused offering can help build your savings?
We thought so! Keep reading:
CAAT’s GROWTHplus Investment Account launched on October 1. In addition to your valuable defined benefit pension, you have access to GROWTHplus – a simple way for you to grow your tax-sheltered retirement savings and benefit from CAAT’s investment returns.
Following our GROWTHplus Member Webinar on Oct. 9, we collected your top questions about this new account. Check out these questions and our resource guide.
GROWTHplus is an optional savings account separate from your secure lifetime CAAT defined benefit (DB) pension and does not replace or change your pension. GROWTHplus also has different rules and features from your DB pension. You can read all about the features in the GROWTHplus Member Handbook on our website.
No, since GROWTHplus is a tax-sheltered account, you can only transfer-in funds from an existing tax-sheltered eligible registered retirement savings vehicle. You can transfer in both locked-in and non-locked-in tax-sheltered savings, including registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs), locked-in retirement accounts (LIRAs), and group registered pension plans (RPPs). A full list of vehicles is available on the GROWTHplus webpage at growthplus.ca.
Multi-factor authentication coming to My Pension in 2025
We are introducing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for My Pension, your pension portal, in the spring to enhance the security of your information.
This means that you will need to set up MFA to access My Pension in 2025. You may already be familiar with MFA if you access your banking or other secure websites online.
We will be sending out your Member ID in the spring. Stay tuned for more information on our website and by email or mail.
Members are our number one priority at CAAT Pension Plan. Our commitment to all our members – 100,000 strong across the country – is a secure lifetime pension when they retire.
We decided to give you an inside peek into the minds of the leaders of our Member Services team.
1: First up, let’s meet the team. What’s your role at CAAT and how does your team help our members?
Sonny: I lead a team of pension professionals that are focused on supporting our members with administrative and support services. We are here for our members and are committed to providing resources and expertise to help you to maximize your CAAT defined benefit (DB) pension and deliver a trusted and predictable retirement income.
Betty: My team and I are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way in navigating your pension. We work for you, making sure you have the resources needed to fully understand your pension, including how to make purchases and planning your retirement. These resources will guide you to making informed decisions. Whether it is helping you by answering questions about your options, we are here to ensure your pension serves you.
Maria: We play a vital role in helping members with their pension-related questions by providing clear, accurate information and addressing concerns with care and empathy. We want you to look at CAAT as a trusted partner. We are here to help you understand your pension plan benefits and to guide you through complex topics with ease to help you make informed decisions about your financial future.
Extra things you need to know
Beginning January 1, we are retiring the general pension estimator on our website for the majority of our members. Our pension estimator on My Pension is secure and tailored to your personal information. It is also a great resource for your retirement planning. If you haven’t registered for My Pension, you can do this on our website.
If your employer joined CAAT through a merger, you can continue to use the specific estimator for your employer on CAAT’s website. Find your employer to get started.
Did you get married this year? Have a child? Change addresses? It’s important to keep CAAT (not just your employer!) informed of these changes. Call us at 1-866-350-2228 (Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm in the Toronto area) or make the change on My Pension, your pension portal with CAAT. If you joined CAAT through a merger, changes to your personal information remain with your employer.
If you have questions or comments please email us at contact@caatpension.ca.
Do you want to learn the advantages of your CAAT pension? If so, then look no further! Join one of our free member learning sessions and discover everything you need to know about the pension you’re earning!
Whether you’re getting ready to retire, thinking about joining, or making a pension purchase, this webinar is perfect for every stage of your CAAT journey. These sessions are free and open to everyone!
We only have a handful of sessions before the end-of-year. Don't miss out – sign up now!
Tuesday, November 12 12:00 - 1:00pm EST
Wednesday, November 13 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST (French only)
Wednesday, December 11 12:30pm – 1:30pm EST
We offer both closed captioning and live ASL at all our webinars. Select the specific drop down on the registration page when you sign-up.
We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have questions or comments please email us at contact@caatpension.ca.
As we wrap up the year, we want to thank you for the trust and confidence you’ve placed in us to provide the pension security you seek.
We hope this holiday season brings you joy, relaxation, and time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments. We’re excited to keep supporting you in 2025 and beyond, as we continue to grow together.
Happy holidays from all of us at CAAT!
If you have questions or comments please email us at contact@caatpension.ca
How are you feeling? What’s your energy like? How are your moods these days? Use this Mental Health Meter from the Canadian Mental Health Association to see how you’re faring on characteristics that make up good mental health, and consider making a few small changes to your daily routine to support your mental health.
Real life is happening right now. We’re missing more and more moments of real-life engagement with ourselves and others by constantly being distracted and tethered to a phone. Make a choice to be present. Dedicate some time at least once a week to being phone-free. Try turning your phone off from 5 p.m. on Friday until noon on Saturday and take advantage of that time to be entirely present with your friends, family, partner or yourself. You’re not missing anything online; you’re missing out on real life.
Call that friend to reconnect over a coffee and a walk or wheel. Wondering what to talk about? See the next tip!
Plan your next getaway. Imagine yourself snowshoeing in the mountains or walking along a sandy beach. Where do you want to explore? What do you want to do? Planning a trip gives you something to look forward to and acts as excellent motivation to get moving now so you can be happy, strong and energized for your adventures!
Sleep is critical to our moods—aiming for 7-8 hours per night is best. Are you feeling well-rested? If not, try to start your nighttime routine earlier by turning off screens (tip 1) and cue your mind to relax by reading a book, listening to music or taking a bath. Can’t sleep because you have a busy mind that just won’t slow down? See tip 5.
Movement clears the head. Think about movement as a tool to flush away stress and anxiety. Getting your heart rate up releases feel-good endorphins. Start small, with little bits of movement built into your day. Walk or wheel for 15 minutes by getting off public transit a few stops earlier. Take the stairs at work if possible. Add a 20-minute lunch break walk or wheel outside to your daily routine (even connect with a pal)—it will do wonders for your mental health!
This blog was written by Lindsay Somers, a Lifestyle Health Coach in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She believes in a better everyday with activity. To find inspiration to build your active life, you can follow her on Instagram.
While physical activity can be an essential mental health tool, you should always reach out for additional support and services if needed.
Money on your mind? Let’s talk about it! This November, CAAT is empowering you to build your financial resiliency and become more financially stable.
Financial Literacy Month is underway in Canada, and this month, we’re empowering you to build financial resiliency, enjoy financial confidence, and to take control of your journey into retirement.
We get that retirement planning may not be your number one priority. Life is happening today, and with life comes expenses, challenges and opportunities.
At CAAT, we’re here to help guide you towards a financial future that is secure, predictable and sustainable. Plus, Financial Literacy Month is also a great opportunity to expand your pension knowledge and learn more about all the benefits of your membership with CAAT.
Here are just a few perks of being a CAAT member:
By taking a few minutes and familiarizing yourself with what it means to be a CAAT member, you’ll be enhancing your financial confidence, which can lead to better financial outcomes.
Whether you’re logging into My Pension and reviewing your annual statement, updating your beneficiaries or learning more about how GROWTHplus can help you achieve your saving goals, CAAT is here to help you every step of the way.
1 The most recent valuation guaranteed funding for inflation protection to at least 2027.
#NoStigmaNovember
Student Health and Wellness is celebrating #NoStigmaNovember. To stop the stigma around struggling with mental health and to normalize help-seeking behaviour, we need a whole campus approach. We are encouraging all members of the Lakehead community to take action to support their own mental health and to create a campus culture that supports one another and encourages those to get help when needed.
Lakehead Staff and Faculty can take part by:
Students can take part by:
Any Lakehead community member can support student mental health initiatives by purchasing a "Stronger as Pack" T-shirt before November 15.
Don’t miss out on the Change4Life® HRA Challenge! Complete your health risk assessment (HRA) between October 1 and December 31, and you will be entered into a random draw to win a $200 gift card!* You have until December 31 (at 11:59 p.m. ET, to be exact) to complete your HRA for the chance to win. * Maximum one entry for HRA completion between October 1 and December 31. If you’re interested in a chance to win a $500 gift card all you need to do is earn 2,500 points this quarter for an automatic entry. And by the way, we are still offering 1,000 bonus points for completing your HRA. |
From, |
Green Shield Canada, P.O. Box 1606, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6W1 | www.greenshield.ca
Workplace Wellness Update for Thunder Bay and District
Upcoming webinar! Creating a Psychologically Healthy Workplace - Simple Steps for Workplace Leaders
Our workforce needs mental health support. Yet, knowing how to adequately offer it can be intimidating for an employer. Join this webinar for practical guidance on the key meaningful actions any organization can take to foster a psychologically safe work environment, even with tight budgets, busy schedules, and competing priorities.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 10:00 - 11:00 am
This webinar will be hosted by Thunder Bay District Health Unit and facilitated by Krystina Hunter of K. Hunter Workplace Consulting.
For more details about the webinar, visit SuperiorMentalWellnessAtWork.com.
Interested, but can't attend? That's okay! Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording that you can watch at any time.
Click here to sign up for the webinar
Corporate Social Responsibility and Your Workplace Wellness Strategy
Does your workplace wellness strategy include opportunities for employees to be involved in the community? Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is actually one of the four areas of influence for a healthy workplace. By integrating CSR into the workplace, everyone benefits – employees, the organization, and the community it serves!
For employees who engage in CSR, it can feel uplifting. It fosters a sense of purpose, encourages team bonding, and builds loyalty towards the employer. All of this enhances employee wellbeing and increases job satisfaction. The organization benefits by improving the workplace culture and company reputation, strengthening employee engagement, and retaining and attracting new talent.
This may be a good time to consider how your organization can make a difference in the community. During the holiday season, there is often a heightened desire to participate in initiatives that bring people together to support others. Plus, there are many community groups looking for various kinds of assistance. Aligning your company's values with ways that employees can contribute to the greater good can have a positive impact that extends far beyond the holidays.
Interested in learning more? Check out these articles:
Straight Up Facts About Alcohol to Know as We Celebrate the Holidays
The festive season is fast approaching! For many of us, it’s an occasion to socialize with coworkers, family and friends. Often, alcohol is involved. This holiday season, consider reducing how much alcohol you drink – even by a little – and give yourself the gift of better health.
Here’s why: Many people don’t know about the link between alcohol and cancer. Recently, researchers have learned more about how alcohol affects our health and in 2023, Canada’s new Guidance on Alcohol and Health was released. It says that even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, including at least seven types of cancer. This may be surprising, as many people are more aware of other cancer prevention strategies like avoiding smoking or sun exposure. Now, reducing alcohol can be added to that list. The good news? Any reduction, whether you drink a little or a lot, can benefit your health. Every little step you take to drink less can make a difference. Find more tips and resources at StraightUpFacts.ca
Workplace leaders who wish to promote this wellness message to their employees can email workplacewellness@tbdhu.com for free resources.
If you're looking for support to build a healthy workplace program, TBDHU can help!
Our team of workplace wellness experts supports organizations with developing a
workplace wellness program based on their unique needs.
All services are free! For more information, visit TBDHU Workplace Health,
call 807-625-5900 or email workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.
Dear Lakehead,
We are delighted to share with you the 6th Edition of the Our Trail to Wellness newsletter.
In today's fast-paced world, achieving Financial Wellness can help reduce stress, build security, and empower better decision-making. Our latest newsletter equips you with the tools and knowledge to take control of your financial future.
Learn about the importance of budgeting, saving, and investing to secure your financial future, click here: >>> Click Here <<<
Highlights from this issue include:
Financial Wellness Tips: SMART goal-setting, budgeting, regular financial reviews, and investment in personal finance education.
Building Financial Habits: Insights on the time value of money by Melanie Oakes.
Resources for Students: Scholarships, financial literacy events, OSAP, and budgeting tools.
Resources for Employees: Benefits like Green Shield, pension services, and tuition waivers.
Upcoming Events: Financial wellness topics, including fraud awareness and banking basics.
And much, much more!
We hope you find the newsletter informative and helpful as we continue our journey toward a healthier and more supportive environment for everyone at Lakehead University.
Take care, be well, and thank you,
Jonathon Racine (he/him)
Wellness Strategy Coordinator, Lakehead University
807-343-8010 ext 7246 or wellnesscoordinator@lakeheadu.ca
Got a story or tips to share about your wellness journey? We're excited to feature insights from the Lakehead community! Submit your ideas for future newsletters focusing on Occupational, Social, and Spiritual Wellness.
To subscribe to the Our Trail to Wellness Newsletter, please SIGN UP HERE
Dear Lakehead Colleagues,
We wanted to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended last week's Staff & Faculty Coffee Break hosted by the Lakehead University Social Committee and supported by the Alumni Association. It was wonderful to see so many of you come together to connect, enjoy some refreshments, and catch up.
Your participation made the event a great success. We hope you had a chance to meet new colleagues and learn more about what's happening on campus.
To help us improve future events, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to provide your feedback using the following link: Event Feedback Form
Thank you again for your support,
Lakehead University Social Committee
Event Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:30pm to 4:30pm EDT
Event Location: Residence Dining Hall
Hello Lakehead colleagues,
With the end of another academic year upon us and convocation ceremonies ahead, this is a time of year in which we should pause, even briefly, to reflect, celebrate and destress.
Please join the LU Social Committee for A Gathering for Faculty and Staff: An Afternoon of Wellness, under the University's Wellness Strategy initiatives, to help you refocus after a long winter and the many stresses of the past few months.
We know that Lakehead thrives because of you, and we need to make sure that you continue to thrive too!
Come out to the Residence Dining Hall from 2:30 to 4:30pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 for this wellness initiative. There will be light snacks and refreshments, Family Feud-style trivia (aka the Lakehead Coworker Feud), entertainment, prizes, and a 50/50 draw with proceeds going toward future events organized by the Social Committee.
We encourage you to bring a non-perishable food donation for the LUSU Food Resource Centre.
Please RSVP by Thursday, May 2, 2024 to reserve your spot.
We look forward to seeing you on May 7.
Sincerely,
Your Lakehead University Social Committee
P.S. We're looking for your input on our first edition of Lakehead Coworker Feud. Submit your answers to some of Lakehead's most common questions here: https://forms.gle/XKwwxM7yT5FrnejK7.
#LakeheadGathers #AnAfternoonOfWellness #LakeheadUniversity #SocialCommittee
Hello Lakehead Colleagues, Students, Alumni, and Friends,
We are delighted to share with you the 5th Edition of the Our Trail to Wellness newsletter.
This edition focuses on Emotional Wellness and offers valuable insights and resources to help our Lakehead community enhance their emotional health and build resilience.
To read the full newsletter >>> Click Here <<<
Highlights from this issue include:
Emotional Wellness: Understanding and managing emotions with kindness and compassion, including the importance of impulse control, self-esteem, and expressing feelings.
Five Ways to Enhance Emotional Wellness: Practical tips such as practicing mindfulness, expressing emotions healthily, engaging in joyful activities, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-compassion.
Peer Support: Information about TalkCampus and TalkLife Workplace, anonymous online platforms providing mental health peer support for students and employees.
Research Insights: Perspectives from Dr. Mirella Stroink, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, highlighting the interplay between emotion and cognition, and the impact of social and cultural factors on emotional health.
Personal Stories: Reflections from Madeline Fabiano, an MSc candidate in Kinesiology, on balancing emotional wellness with academic responsibilities in graduate school.
Upcoming Events and Resources: Details about events and resources available to support emotional wellness in our community.
We hope you find the newsletter informative and helpful as we continue our journey toward a healthier and more supportive environment for everyone at Lakehead University.
Take care, be well, and thank you,
Jonathon Racine (he/him)
Wellness Strategy Coordinator, Lakehead University
807-343-8010 ext 7246 or wellnesscoordinator@lakeheadu.ca
Are you passionate about wellness and have insights to share? If so, we invite you to contribute to our future newsletters! Upcoming topics include: Financial Wellness, Occupational Wellness, and Social Wellness.
To subscribe to the Our Trail to Wellness Newsletter, please SIGN UP HERE
At Lakehead, we recognize the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and support for all members of our diverse community.
Pride Month serves as a poignant reminder of the progress made towards equality and justice for 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, while also highlighting the ongoing work needed to create a more inclusive society. It is a time to celebrate love, acceptance, and the right of every individual to live authentically, without fear of discrimination or prejudice.
As a university committed to diversity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to actively participate in Pride Month celebrations.
Here are some ways you can get involved.
For more information about Pride at Lakehead and information about supports and resources, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/shw-pride.
Dear Lakehead colleagues and friends,
We hope this message finds you well.
On behalf of the Lakehead Social Committee, please accept our heartfelt thanks to everyone who was so enthusiastic to sign up and move with us as part of Let’s Get Active! Your excitement and participation helped make the event a huge success, and we appreciate your support in promoting wellness and fitness within our Lakehead community.
For those who attended, we hope you enjoyed the activities and found them beneficial. Whether you joined the walk/run, Modo Yoga, or pickleball, your involvement made the event truly special.
We value your feedback and would love to hear from you about your experience. Please take a few moments to complete our feedback form here. Your insights will help us improve future events and continue fostering a vibrant, healthy community at Lakehead.
Thank you once again for your participation and support. We look forward to seeing you at our future social committee events, like Summerfest: A Multicultural Celebration!
Stay active and healthy!
Best regards,
Lakehead University Social Committee
We are helping all members of our Lakehead community explore their pathways to better mental health with our 5th annual Thrive Week from January 22-26!
An initiative that began at UBC and adopted on campuses across Canada, Thrive is a week-long series of events for students, staff and faculty that provide opportunities to engage in wellness practices, learn about how you can support the well-being of yourself and others, and about the mental health and wellness resources available at Lakehead.
Have something nice to share about a fellow employee? Join us throughout the week to write a beautiful anonymous message on our Wall of Champions for all to see. Please share a positive message or story about a colleague who makes a difference in our Lakehead community!
See the full employee Thrive Week 2024 schedule at www.lakeheadu.ca/EmployeesThrive
THRIVE WEEK 2024 (EMPLOYEES).PDF
Thrive Week 2024, January 22-26, 2024 - Lakehead University
#ThriveWeek2024 #EmployeesThrive #LakeheadThrives #ThunderwolvesThrive
