New Federally Funded Mental Health Program to Support Student Success and Well-being  On February 21, The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced a new program to help art and design students develop skills to support and maintain their mental health and well-being. Mindful Campus is being led by OCAD University in partnership with us at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies and a collaborative network of post-secondary art and design schools and faculties, which include Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Nova Scotia ..read more

Remembering Jon Harstone Jon will always be remembered for his outstanding contribution of making affordable housing accessible to those who need it the most; we at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies will remember him equally for his commitment to the provision of support services essential to the well-being of social housing communities. Our charity’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible mental health services to mid and low-income individuals and underserved communities. The Centre launched in 2011 as a community-based start-up with very little capital and no government funding ..read more

The Benefits of Giving & Giving Tuesday   The holiday season is finally upon us! While we are thinking about filling up our social calendars or rushing out to buy the perfect present, it’s important to take a moment to remember that this is also the season of giving.     Each year, Giving Tuesday marks the beginning of the holiday giving season. It’s a time when charities, organizations, and individuals come together to rally for their favourite cause. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, so d ..read more

Mindfulness, Self-Care, and the Brain  In a world that craves productivity and efficiency, it may feel nearly impossible to dedicate time for the activities that we truly enjoy. What we often fail to realize, however, is that these activities contribute not only to our happiness, but also to our productivity.   Mindfulness has been strongly linked to an increase in positive emotions. By implementing this practice and truly being attentive to our senses and present experience, we become more appreciative of the positivity in our lives, which we are oftentimes too distracted to ..read more

Mindfulness, Self-Care, and the Brain  In a world that craves productivity and efficiency, it may feel nearly impossible to dedicate time for the activities that we truly enjoy. What we often fail to realize, however, is that these activities contribute not only to our happiness, but also to our productivity.   Mindfulness has been strongly linked to an increase in positive emotions. By implementing this practice and truly being attentive to our senses and present experience, we become more appreciative of the positivity in our lives, which we are oftentimes too distracted to ..read more

A New Documentary! No Magic Bullet: An Honest Discussion about Mental Health Watch this new, exciting documentary about The Centre’s friend, Bob Koven, and his mental health journey! The documentary also stars the Centre’s Co-founder, Dr. Patricia Rockman with insight into managing mental health. Using his unique brand of humour, Bob dispels the myths and smashes the misconceptions and prejudices surrounding mental health. Bobby delivers a hard-hitting message – there is no magic bullet when dealing with mental health ..read more

National Indigenous History Month and Resources June 21 is known as National Indigenous Peoples Day, which falls under June’s National Indigenous History Month. During this time, we collectively recognize and celebrate the heritage, diversity and significant contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. Here at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, we acknowledge the generational impacts of colonial violence and the systemic failures that continue to happen. We stand in solidarity with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and all Indigenous communities who are sufferin ..read more

Mindfully Navigating Technology Technology has been a saving grace for many of us during the pandemic by enabling many of us to work from home and connect with our loved ones. Although there are several benefits to technology, how we relate to it and allow it to consume us can become detrimental. Working from home has forced some to be connected to their devices far longer than pre-covid working expectations. Furthermore, short breaks throughout the day are often filled with even more technology, as we reflexively scroll through our phones checking text messages, the news, and social media ..read more

Compassionate Self-care During Covid-19 It’s been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. As we learn how to adapt to our “new normal”, the all too familiar word of “self-care” may slowly be starting to lose its significance for many of us. However, self-care is important now more than ever. After all, we cannot begin to take care of others if we haven’t taken care of ourselves first. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you reconsider how you practice self-care in your daily routine: Be kind to yourself It sounds simple, but it’s often forgotten especially during mo ..read more

My Journey with Mindfulness, Dr. Patricia Rockman, and the Centre for Mindfulness Studies   My name is Bob Koven AKA “Sunset Bob” and I have suffered from mental health challenges since I was young. I’d like to share my story about my struggles with mental health and how mindfulness, the Centre for Mindfulness Studies and my teacher Pat have helped my journey. Mental health history When I was teenager, I was described as hyperactive, loud, impatient and having “bad behaviour.” Still, everyone just accredited it to being an adolescent. In my early 20s, I was diagnosed with encephalitis ..read more