Redeemer’s expanded Wellness Centre celebrated its opening on February 27 with a ribbon cutting and open house for students, faculty, staff and supporters. Attendees were able to tour the new space, which includes a welcoming reception area, mental health triage, a health clinic with access to appointments with a nurse practitioner, in-person counselling spaces and quiet spaces to retreat.
A short program included remarks from Redeemer’s president Dr. David Zietsma, as well as student senate president Kaiden Groombridge, director of student health and wellness and nurse practitioner Julie Kingma, and a prayer of dedication from dean of students Kevin Johnson.
“We’re pleased to formally open such an inviting wellness centre for student mental and physical health services,” said Zietsma. “Caring for the whole student is an expression of Redeemer’s Reformed Christian identity where each person is treated with compassion, dignity and respect as image-bearers of God. We’re grateful to the generous support community that has helped us provide for Redeemer students in such a practical way.”
Caring for the whole student is an expression of Redeemer’s Reformed Christian identity where each person is treated with compassion, dignity and respect as image-bearers of God.
Student senate president Kaiden Groombridge also expressed gratitude for the new space. “Thank you to the donors who made this possible, and who care deeply about the wellbeing of the students that come to this wonderful university,” said Groombridge. “Thank you to the staff of the Wellness Centre who provide mental health support and deep care to our students. The updating of this Wellness Centre makes students like myself feel heard as we navigate our struggles in school and in mental health.”
Upon entering the expanded wellness centre, a friendly face greets students and helps them book appointments with the nurse practitioner, mental health case manager or qualified Christian counsellors from Redeemer’s counselling partner, Christian Counselling Centre. The centre has fresh, bright medical appointment rooms for health concerns including illnesses, wound care, depression and anxiety, ADHD, medication renewals and more. Students can also find supports for mental health concerns such as stress management, sleep, nutrition and staying active. There are spaces for in-person counselling appointments, lounge spaces and quiet spaces for students to retreat with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) lamps, massage pads, books and other sensory items. All of this is located amongst the residences of Luther Court, providing privacy and confidentiality only steps from the centre of campus.
The Wellness Centre is a key initiative of Redeemer’s comprehensive mental health action plan. After bringing health services to campus in 2020, further investments in student mental health and wellness were announced in December 2022. The opening of the Wellness Centre now brings physical and mental health services together into one expanded location.