Humber’s Black Student Success and Encouragement program on Wednesday hosted its first event, “SHOOT your Shot,” promoting mental wellness through physical activity.
Students from Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber were invited to Humber’s North Campus’ gym for pick-up basketball and a free throw competition.
They were welcomed with snacks, music and new friends.
“It’s an event to help people destress and kind of relax before exams,” Kishana Lindsay said.
Lindsay, a third-year Justice Studies student at the University of Guelph-Humber and program and marketing assistant for BSSE, and her co-worker Jordan Reynolds had the idea of contrasting a free throw contest the same week as Black Mental Health week.
It was an outlet for BSSE to incorporate Humber athletics as they wanted to include athletics into their program.
“As we were planning we figured out that the first week of March was actually Black Mental health week, so that kind of tied into having the event the same day,” Lindsay said.
The group originally was planning to have the event on the week of Black Mental Health week, however, rescheduled to the following week, Lindsay told Humber News.
Black Mental Health Week is a yearly event focused on amplifying Black voices and raising awareness about the historical and ongoing impact that systemic, anti-Black racism has on the mental health and wellness of Black communities.
This year Black Mental Health week was March 6 to 12.
Students like Folashade Onoba, admits that she signs up for many events that BSSE hosts however does not make most of them as she gets busy with school work.
Onoba, a first-year Culinary Skills student, told Humber News that she enjoys basketball so she was looking forward to the event that piqued her interest and was aligned to her schedule.
She also told Humber News that this event was more than “playing” basketball and mental wellness.
“To me this event was not just for mental wellness, but to socialize, make friends and discover some skills,” Onoba said.
Other students in attendance told Humber News that finding “balance” in your daily routine is something that all students should implement while navigating school.
Naomi Richards, a final year Early Childhood Care educator student and program assistant for BSSE, said that she takes breaks within the week to balance her social and academic life.
Jesse Acheampalmer, a final year Justice Studies student, said that he enjoys the events that BSSE hosts and attends many of the events when he can.
“This semester has been pretty tight with deadlines and work and a bunch of other stuff,” Acheampalmer said.
“So I made time today because it’s always good and physical exercise is fun and you know, basketball and team related sports brings comradery with people,” he said.
He told Humber News, that he uses outlets such as physical activity, reflection before bed and meditating to cope with his mental wellness.
“Mental wellness to me being cognizant of your mental health, your limitations, knowing when your stressed out and just being able to affect it and control it in a positive way. A lot of people burn out and they don’t really realize that their burnt out until it happens,” he said.
While this event was catered towards, Black identified students, other students were also welcomed.
Harkaran Sandhu, a first year Electrical Technology Engineer student, was excited for the freethrow event as he played basketball in grade six.
“I saw the advertisement on IGNITE and on the event. I feel that it would be great to join,” Sandhu said.
Sandhu said that being mentally and physically fit is an integral part of his life to perform well in his academic studies and this event gave him a “boost” of energy.
Leo Lin, a third-year Kinesiology student, said that he went to the BSSE event to be apart of because his regular routine consists of studying, going to classes and it gets “boring.”
“When I see an opportunity at Humber like an event, as silly as it is, I don’t play basketball. It’s not really my sport, but I saw it as a chance to come around, meet new people and have fun. So why not?” Lin said.
He said that the topic of mental wellness is heavily discussed in his major and through his studies, he says that it’s a “mind and body aspect.”
“If you have a healthy mind and you’re thinking clearly, you know what you want to do, at the same time your body is functioning properly. I think that’s the most important thing for that,” Lin said.
Lin said he has also purposed more events of this kind for IGNITE to promote mental wellness.