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OFFICIAL HOME OF THE STFX X-MEN AND X-WOMEN

Mental Health Awareness

2025-26 STFX Student-Athlete Mental Health Representatives:

Skye Koyote, X-Women Rugby
Zach Houde, X-Men Football

2025-26 STFX Student-Athlete Mental Health Awareness Week Events:

Every January the STFX Student-Athlete Mental Health representatives host a mental health awareness week with various activities and events planned for our X-Men and X-Women student-athletes. Check out this year's schedule of events, taking place January 19-24, 2026! 

During STFX Athletics Mental Health Week, everyone is encouraged to pick up a Bell Let's Talk speech bubble in the main lobby of the Saputo Centre or Keating Centre and fill out what mental health well-being means to them, take a picture and share your message on social media! 

Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Fireside Conversation - Mon, Jan. 19, 2026 from 7:00-8:00 pm

Join your teammates at the Watch Party in Mulroney Hall Room 3034 and tune in virtually to join Dr. Kensa Gunter, Director of Mind Health for NBA and WNBA, who will speak about the mental health realities of student-athletes and share actionable approaches to support both well-being and performance. There will be free healthy snacks on site, courtesy of Bell Let's Talk!     

Mental Health Webinar - Tue, Jan. 20, 2026 from 8:00-9:00 pm

Join online for a virtual webinar on the following mental health topics, with Dr. Madeline Barlow from The Hidden Opponent!

  • Navigating the transition into life after sport
  • Conditioning vs. Character: what sport really teaches us and how to re-write your beliefs to align with your true self
  • Present moment awareness: how it affects mental wellbeing & sport performance

Please email goxgo@stfx.ca to receive the invite to the Teams calendar invite to join the webinar, or contact one of your team's SAAC reps. Advance questions for Madeline may also be emailed to goxgo@stfx.ca. 

Yoga Sessions for Student-Athletes - Wed, Jan. 21 from 7:00-8:00 pm & 8:00-9:00 pm 

Join us for yoga sessions at the Keating Centre Dance Studios with instructor Tejashwini Maganur at one of our sessions, from either 7-8 pm or 8-9 pm and unwind! Free healthy snacks will be onsite!

Panel - Expanding Your Mental Health - Thu, Jan. 22 from 6:00-7:00 pm

Our student-athlete mental health representatives Skye Koyote (X-Women Rugby) & Zach Houde (X-Men Football) will host a panel and open discussion with ideas on how to expand upon your mental health and well being. The panel will take place from 6-7pm at Mulroney Hall Room 2030 with several local professionals who will bring forth their best practices for healthy mental well being, including sports performance, nutrition and connecting with nature. Come join in on a range of topics, engaging discussion and the opportunity to ask questions with our panelists:

  • Maggie Nieto, Mental Performance Consultant, STFX Athletics
  • Diane Oickle, Adjunct Professor, STFX Human Nutrition
  • Monica Schuegraf, Senior Lab Instructor, STFX Biology

Bell Let's Talk Game - Fri, Jan. 23 at 7:00 pm

Come out to the STFX Keating Centre to watch the X-Women Hockey team take on the Saint Mary's Huskies in our annual Bell Let's Talk game for Mental Health Awareness! We will have Bell Let's Talk rally towels and buffs to giveaway at the door, and student-athletes will be on site to post speech bubbles as all fans are encouraged to fill out a speech bubble outlining what mental health means to you.

What can you do for awareness, acceptance and action in mental health?

The Bell Let’s Talk Day theme for 2026 is “Taking a Moment for Mental Health,” focusing on taking moments that will support mental well-being.

While there are countless ways to support mental well-being, this campaign emphasizes simple, practical steps anyone can take. Whether it’s meditation, breathing exercises, being in nature, spending time with family and friends, practising gratitude and much more, these moments help reduce stress and anxiety, foster social connect and build resilience.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is encouraging everyone to prioritize mental health—one moment at a time.

While taking a moment for mental health has many benefits it does not take the place of professional mental health diagnosis, treatment and supports.

• Bell’s Investment: In 2026, Bell is investing $10 million in Canadian mental health initiatives, increasing its total support to $194 million since 2010.

• The Annual Reminder: Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 21, 2026, kicks off another year of awareness, acceptance and action and serves as a national reminder for Canadians to prioritize mental health.

• Challenging Times: With people feeling the impact of economic and political uncertainty it is good to know that there are simple things we can all do to build our mental well-being.

• Benefits of Reflection: Mindful reflection cultivates resilience, enhances emotional regulation, and strengthens social connections.

• Value of Connection: Spending time with others and engaging in group activities fosters social connection, decreases loneliness and boosts resilience.

• Reducing Stigma: Sharing personal mental health experiences helps to reduce self-stigma and fosters an environment of openness and action.

• The power of a digital detox: taking a break from technology boosts mental health by reducing stress, anxiety and depression and strengthening real world relationships.

• Movement is medicine: Exercise and spending time in nature can boost mood and reduce stress.

Engagement Ideas

Leading up to or on January 21, we invite you to share your mental health moments at home, work, school and in your community by:

• Promoting intentional moments to focus on mental health and well-being
• Creating connection moments to reach out and support friends, family, colleagues and communities
• Recognizing the societal importance of mental health through awareness activities, education and storytelling
• Commit to giving mental health the moment it deserves on Bell Let’s Talk Day and build them into daily life

Here are some ideas of mental health moments for Bell Let’s Talk Day:

• Mindfulness Breaks: Take a moment to breathe in, breathe out with short guided meditation or breathing sessions during the day.

• Wellness Resources: Explore and share the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit, mental health apps, or podcasts that promote self-care.

• Group Activities: Organize an in-person group activity like a shared meal, a walk in nature or a dance party and have a digital detox.

• Connect with Others: Consciously connect with friends, family and loved ones by expressing gratitude.

• Buddy System: Pair up for regular mental health check-ins and support.

• Virtual or In-Person Listening Circles: Take a moment to slow down and create safe spaces for sharing experiences.