October 2021 by Link Magazine

OCTOBER 2021 | MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hello

Link Readers

Our issue this month focuses on the theme of Mental Health. The Government of Canada notes that psychological health problems and illness are the leading cause of disability every year; with 1 in 5 Canadians suffering annually. While mental health treatments have improved drastically over the years, we’re still at a loss about many of the root causes. Being research-driven humans, we tried to Google “what causes mental illness” and learned it could be caused by the following: • Biological factors: genes, family history, chemical brain imbalances, personality • Non-Biological factors: recreational drugs, alcohol, abuse, stress, cancer • Exposure to environmental factors: mother exposed to viruses or chemicals while pregnant • Isolation from environmental factors: having few friends, being lonely, isolation Honestly, we read through pages and pages of research written by experts in the mental health field and their detailed notes essentially summarized to “we don’t know so we're going to guess everything.” This obviously wasn’t what we were looking for. Since there wasn’t a better answer, we are hoping that you can find some value in this months issue! Our Link editors and contributors have worked hard at explor-

ing an array of topics to inspire different ways to manage your mental health. This month looks at the influence of increased social media usage, learning disabilities, ancient mental health treatments, protesting, and more! The purpose of this issue is to proactively encourage you to reflect and evaluate your own mental health before we move into midterm season. When we’re busy, it’s easy to forget that setbacks and changes are part of life. We want everything to flow smoothly, and the smallest bumps can irritate us. Sometimes, we’re so focused on meeting expectations that we forget that our originality and ability to adapt to change is what makes us human. We are all guilty of trying to smooth out our paths – Who doesn’t want to take the easy route? As our workload gets heavier, we prioritize papers and projects, ensuring that we cut out less important tasks to meet deadlines. We lose sight of things that aren’t outlined on a syllabus to be graded by a professor that barely knows our names. The quality time that we used to spend with our family and closest friends is always the first thing to get cut. Next, we cut any ties to the community that we have through volunteer commitments. We drop these first because they can be easily picked up again with little effort once life “settles down.”

This strategy of “prioritization” has worked for years. But, it’s not healthy. While our relationships and community commitments can be temporarily paused during “work heavy” periods of our lives, they should not be the first things we drop. They play an essential role in our day-to-day stress management. We would not be at BCIT without our support systems, and we cannot achieve our goals without them. It’s controversial, but we argue that you should drop the course that you hate before you drop the people that you love. Dropping a class isn’t a failure. It’s an accomplishment to recognize that you need to make a change to balance your life. Grades, labels, diagnosis, etc. are intended to be indicators of where you currently are, not measures of your value. The grades that you earn in class are not worth more than your relationships. Find a balance between school, work and life that serves you not the guidelines that society has set. We hope that this issue inspires you to maintain, protect, and further strengthen your health!

Cheers, Stephanie Bohn Associate Editor

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26 what about drinking?

30 recharge. revitalize. reboot.

We feature exceptional people in our community, big ideas in a changing world, and evolving social dialogue. We welcome writers, photographers and artists of all backgrounds and abilities. Our purpose is to provide a collaborative platform for student expression, and to connect you with one another’s stories and experiences. Printed editions are distributed to all five BCIT campuses & additional content is published online at linkbcit.ca

Have an idea? Contact us! editor@linkbcit.ca | linkbcit.ca

STAFF

Jonah van Driesum, Senior Editor Christy Chan, Associate Editor Stephanie Bohn, Associate Editor Cali McTavish, Associate Editor Shaleeta Harrison, Publications Manager

Cover by Jonah van Driesum

Link Magazine would like to respectfully acknowledge that it is printed and distributed on the traditional & unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples. 3700 Willingdon Ave. SE2 Building, 3rd Floor | Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2 | 604. 451. 7191

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

ISSN 0715-5247 (Print) ISSN 2562-3257 (Online)

Unaffordability in Canada

A report from the Bank of Canada showed that the country is one of the most unaffordable places to live in the world if you are living in a major metropolitan area. Vancouver has officially become North America’s most unaffordable city with an average house price of $1,333,114 and an average monthly rent of $2,100. More young people are being pushed outside of their work communities, with more municipalities falling under the term “bedroom community.”

Guinea Coup

The African country of Guinea suffered a violent coup at the start of September when the president deposed and the parliament dissolved. The military has seized full control of the country and placed civilians under martial law.

Election

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The Canadian Federal Election was held on September 20, 2021. The Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau won a minority government with 159 seats in the House of Commons. One of their major promises for students was permanently cancelling student debt interest. The winning local candidates for BCIT’s ridings were Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South), Wilson Miao (Richmond Centre), and Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre).

Google This! The month of September was a wild ride. From national elections, confusion over what is open or closed, and a variety of other changes, it can be hard to keep track of all the major events that can affect us. That is why we like to put together this monthly guide: so you can keep your head clear of clutter. If one of these stories piques your interest then we highly recommend that you GOOGLE THIS!

Food Costs

Rampant Wildfires across the Prairies this summer have left “Canada’s Breadbasket” burnt. Crops were burned in mass, destroying farmers’ livelihoods. Production was already down due to the combination of the smoke and heat that produced poor growing conditions and a lack of workers. These factors have led to a spike in food costs, with the cost of chicken alone going up by close to 30 percent.

Hockey Season is Back

The NHL season will begin on October 12 with the league expanding to 32 teams following the addition of the Seattle Kraken. The Vancouver Canucks faced the Krakens in their first preseason game on September 26, ending with a 5-3 loss. With Kraken, teams in the Western Conference and the Pacific Division will now have another opponent to beat out on the road to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Party is Back On

Indoor live events have resumed in Vancouver! Multiple venues including The Roxy, Commodore Ballroom, Vogue Theatre, and more have scheduled upcoming live shows to help us cope with the rainy season. Do you feel ready to step out of your room and into a concert after a year of isolation?

BC Vaccine Card

By order of BC's Provincial Health Officer (PHO), anyone aged 12 and older will be required to have a BC Vaccine Card to access some events, services, and businesses. This includes indoor events such as sporting events or concerts, restaurants and pubs/bars with indoor and patio dining, gyms and recreational facilities, post-secondary on-campus student housing, and more. You must have at least one COVID-19 dose by September 13 and be fully vaccinated by October 24.

Mandatory Vaccinations

Delta Variant

British Columbia is getting hit hard by the fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the Delta Variant. In the month of September, the Government has stepped back on many terms of the provincial reopening policy.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

Canada mandated vaccinations for employees working in federal public service to minimize the continued impact of COVID-19. Additionally, the Government of Canada is planning to require federally regulated air, marine, and rail sectors to be vaccinated by the end of October. Significant criticisms have been raised about whether the policy infringes on Canadian’s charter rights (Section 7 – Right to life, liberty, and security of the person).

Kanye West 1:03

...

—3:31

I’ve had the worst Kanye West album on repeat for years. The album explores darker topics such as suicide, self-isolation, overdose, and addiction, and is sprinkled with confident, borderline narcissistic, tracks. Released in 2018, Ye has a total runtime just short of 24 minutes. West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016 and has openly spoken on the subject since. He has admitted that he experiences manic phases and has shared how he manages his diagnosis without medication. Fans believe that Kanye created Ye to give listeners further insight into some of the influences on his mental health.

The seemingly disorganized track order easily plays in the background while you prep your meals for the week, work on a group assignment, walk (or run if you’re

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

However, the album was received terribly. Reviewers commonly note the album as “absolutely chaotic” and “nonsensical.” Multiple reviews note that Ye did not reach the same high standard that Kanye previously established. One of the more positive reviews, from Rolling Stone, reads “if you put serious time into Ye, which is probably more than its author did, you find it isn’t as flaccid as it first sounds.” Kanye has a reputation of being a celebrity douchebag that produces music as a hobby and the album is short… But, it doesn’t take a lot of commitment to enjoy this album.

chronically late like me) to the bus, and lie on the floor to recollect yourself before tackling one more chore. It didn’t take long before I was singing along and trying to understand the meaning of Ye. In an interview with Billboard, Kanye says that the album title was changed, “It went from Kanye, which means the only one, to just Ye— just being a reflection of our good, our bad, our confused, everything. The album is more of a reflection of who we are.” [Iasimone, 2018]

they prove I can focus on two things at once,” a few of the symptoms that are commonly shown during a manic phase. Kanye uses "Wouldn’t Leave" to further explore his difficulty managing his mental health and show appreciation for his wife’s support (RIP to anyone that’s updated on Kim & Kanye’s relationship). "No Mistakes" appears as a transitionary track where Kanye is still struggling and challenging societal systems and rules but promises a more stable future to his love. The sixth

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“Ye was not meant to be a popular album. Its purpose was to prompt a self-reflection.”

Ye is an uncomfortable album that gives us insight into Kanye West’s psyche. "I Thought About Killing You" opens the album with Kanye vocalizing his thoughts on suicide and encouraging listeners to voice their struggles, “Just say it out loud, just to see how it feels / Weigh all the options, nothing’s off the table”. "Yikes," a significantly more upbeat song, follows next, highlighting the use of illicit drugs and expensive material goods as daily distractions. "All Mine" references heightened sexual attraction and the inability to focus, “Let’s have a threesome, me, you and the blunt / I love your titties ‘cause

track, "Ghost Town" is my personal favourite on the album as it represents the fall that comes after a manic phase and the unravelling of the mind. The song begins with West imagining an ideal life for himself then slowly progresses through the coping mechanisms that keep him from actualizing his dreams. By the end of the track, we’re listening to a numbed-out Kanye that is self-inflicting pain to feel something. Ye closes with "Violent Crimes," which features a short clip of Nicki Minaj, where Kanye expresses concern for his daughter’s future, “Father forgive me, I’m scared of the karma / ‘Cause now I see women as somethin’ to nuture / Not

something to conquer.” He claims an increased awareness of how women are viewed in society and vows to protect his daughter even though most control is out of his hands. I loved Ye because it is the most personal album that Kanye has released. Listening to it makes me feel like I’m reading his personal journal—I get a glimpse into his past trauma and his deepest fears. While most of his content is produced for a targeted audience, Kanye created this album for himself. The artist knew that a short album would fly low on the world’s radar so he used the opportunity to dive deeper into conversations that are generally not discussed in our communities. Ye was not meant to be a popular album. Its purpose was to prompt a self-reflection.

Review by Stephanie Bohn

Iasimone, Ashley. “Kanye West Opens up about Making 'Ye,' Being Diagnosed with a 'Mental Condition'.” Billboard. June 3, 2018. billboard.com/articles/columns/hiphop/8459006/kanye-west-mental-healthye-album-interview%5C.

“What if we could change just one little moment?”

What If is an adaptation of the comic series of the same name. It takes popular Marvel movies and changes a specific element to create whole new story lines. It has created a mix of funny moments and tragic twists for some of the world’s most recognized and beloved media. Each episode follows a specific movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe meaning that you will never see the same thing twice. From Zombies to Tragic Obsession, the format of removing these characters from canon means that ideas and concepts that could never make it to a big screen finally get to be explored. Despite being animated, this show is not appropriate for young children, due to elements of horror. If you have ever wondered how your life would be different if you could just go back and change one thing, and if you love superhero movies, then What If? Is the show to take you on to new perspectives.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

Review by Jonah van Driesum

In our lives and in the media we consume, we love to fantasize about the idea of What If? What if we could change just one little moment? Well then everything would definitely be better in our lives, right? In moments of crisis, the question of What If? can even become a mental concept we use to torture ourselves as we try to figure how we screwed so bad.

zoom fatigue

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Andre Nowak

n March 2020, Zoom Video Communications' stock was around $100USD. As of September 10, 2021, this number stands at $301.50USD. It is not a shock to see the exponential rise of Zoom, especially in a time where the world needed to rely on long-distance communication more than ever. What initially served as a temporary solution to an unknown situation has now become a part of our daily lives. However, a year and a half later, after countless classes and meetings on the platform, is fatigue starting to set in? Has Zoom made it easier to learn, and if not, what could be done to enhance the platform for the future? I reached out to some fellow students at BCIT to gain their perspective on the situation, and to evaluate whether they believe Zoom has had its fifteen minutes of fame, or if this is just the beginning.

Although technical difficulties may occasionally arise from using Zoom, learning remotely can be a convenient alternative. For part-time students, Zoom is a great way to balance work life and school life. Saving money on transportation and having the leisure to make dinner while I learned about Eisenstein’s film techniques were huge advantages. Like Emily, I’m optimistic about Zoom’s ability to continue after COVID.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

As BBA student Emily Kwok-Choon puts it, “I think that Zoom/virtual meetings are convenient and make learning from home easy. While it can be frustrating if you don't have [a] great connection, I find it less nerve-wracking to participate in class discussions. Being able to attend lectures online also saves me a lot of time, making it easier to manage my workload. For these reasons, I think virtual meetings could continue outside of the pandemic.”

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However, accounting student Serafine Go has a different perspective: “While Zoom and other platforms has made online learning easier than ever, it also comes with its own challenges. A lot of students I met expressed the difficulty of connecting with other students outside of class time, due to the lack of opportunity to do so. You can't really chat with anyone before or after class.” I shared similar qualms with Serafine about the Zoom experience. While learning was made easier than ever, a big part of the post-secondary experience revolved around student life and culture. When that element is stripped, there was that indescribable experience of a shared classroom environment missing.

Furthermore, as BBA student Rai-Ann Leung shares, “There were pluses and minuses to both. When classes were held virtually, you didn’t have to travel anywhere which is nice. Although, not travelling anywhere meant PJs on the couch eating or watching Netflix. A student can easily lose the momentum to be in the moment and actually learn content from the class when they have distractions in their own home. With this said, I do not enjoy virtual classes.”

“THE DISTRACTIONS OF NOT BEING IN THE CLASSROOM HAVE CAUSED THE PRIMARY THING, A PERSON’S EDUCATION, TO BECOME ALMOST A BACKGROUND TOPIC.”

It seems the distractions at home have caused the primary focus, education, to become a background topic. While we are pursuing our diplomas, we are also fixing dinner, tending to our families and pets, doing our laundry, or browsing social media. With all these extra distractions, Zoom seems far from being an ideal environment for higher education learning. However, these perspectives are not provided to discredit the impact the platform has had, but to suggests ways it could improve. As Ishan Singla, a financial planning student, says, “Yes, I strongly feel Zoom helped us recreate the classroom experience as closely it could. It could be improved if Zoom had integrations with Microsoft office suite or Google suite which would have made group projects a breeze.” Zoom certainly isn't perfect as it is now, and like Ishan mentioned, there's still room to improve. By offering solutions for the future and adjusting the platform in a way that fixes students’ worries, Zoom could become a more immersive and integrated space for learning. In conclusion, Zoom has gone from being a temporary solution in a pandemic

struggles and laughter among peers is missing. While I do believe Zoom fatigue has set in for some of us, weirdly enough, I kind of miss that Zoom experience now that I'm a full-time student and back in the classroom. Maybe I need to adjust back to the traditional learning environ-

ment, but I felt that online learning expedited my education. I hope that as the world slowly normalizes, we won’t forget about this platform, but continue to embrace the convenience it brings to individuals who need it most.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

to a mainstay for the foreseeable future of online education. It has its pros and cons, though. For parttime students who balance work and school, the platform saves invaluable hours wasted on transport. However, for full-time students, that quintessential university experience of shared

DON'T DON'T LET LET YOUR YOUR LEARNING LEARNING DISABILITY DISABILITY IMPEDE IMPEDE YOUR YOUR FUTURE FUTURE T

Jonah van Driesum

housands of students struggle with learning disabilities and unique learning situations. I have the good fortune that my challenge, a mild form of ADHD, doesn’t generally get in the way of my work and my learning, but it certainly has its moments. The biggest impediments for me are numbers (I never had a particular talent for calculus) and my natural awkwardness.

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Every disability or learning challenge has its own unique set of problems and solutions. While this article will try to avoid generalization, it can help set out a common path to first identifying you have a learning disability, and then ensuring you get the proper support that you need.

The biggest challenge with having a learning disability is identifying it and taking it seriously. Too often, people who have fantastic brains with additional challenges will simply write themselves off as stupid or make up excuses. One of the most common reasons for not getting a learning disability assessment is because they cost a massive amount of money (starting prices are nearly two thousand dollars). However, the Government of British Columbia has allocated funds to help people get assessed and to connect them with resources to have the diagnosis recognized and supported. Reach out to StudentAid BC to see if you are eligible for a learning disability assessment bursary. If you decide to book an assessment, be aware that the assessment process can take up to six hours.

Step 2: Reaching Out to Those Who Can Help You Accessibility Services at BCIT has dedicated employees to process disability assessments and help set up accommodations for students with disabilities. Once you have an assessment you need to get in touch with these folks ASAP, otherwise you are going to be slogging along without the extra support

you could be receiving. The process involves submitting forms and having a short conversation with someone from the office to help design a plan for you. Once you are done, you can also apply to the province and the federal government to fund supports like a notetaker or a tutor.

Step 3: Do Not Be Ashamed

Instructors can also help you. By reaching out and letting them know what you are dealing with, you are choosing to make a connection and communicating to them that you will take full advantage of the accommodations you have been granted. They have a responsibility to help you overcome your struggles in the classroom.

You have a right to a safe and accessible campus. If you feel like you cannot access a service, make sure you reach out to the responsible department, and they should be more than happy to provide better accommodations. If you need assistance, contact Advocacy or the BCITSA.

There is a manufactured social mindset that having a disability is something that is “wrong” with you. This isn’t true, but it can make those people who are struggling to overcome a disability feel embarrassed or out of place. When Writing support through the they start to believe these negative ideals, that Library and Student Advonegativity becomes the cacy through the Student barrier. It becomes easy to Association are invaluable tools for those with a disabil- think that “the work is too ity. Writing support can look hard,” or “I am never going to get this right.” at your written assignments and tell you whether you The first thing you can do are on the right track. If you for yourself is to embrace feel like a grade is unfair, or if you messed something up your differences. You don't have to shout it from the because of your disability, rooftops but make your then make sure you reach friends and family aware of out to Advocacy. Student your condition. That way Advocacy can help you dewhen they screw up and say cide how to approach your something negative, you instructors professionally, can be direct with them and and help you understand tell them how their actions the policies at BCIT that made you feel. might relate to you.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

Step 1: Figuring Out You Have a Disability

TECH

FAIR Virtual

Oct 27th

2:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Whether you’re just starting your program, getting ready to graduate, or have ﬁnished your program, this tech-focused career event is an opportunity to meet one-to-one with hiring managers and industry professionals. Use this event to get to know local employers, ﬁnd out what jobs they hire BCIT grads for, and gain industry insights on the hiring process and employer needs. Employers from diverse sectors will attend, so students from a variety of disciplines are encouraged to attend! Attend our Prep Workshops, review our Resources Section, or book an appointment with a Career Specialist to develop your strategy and impress your future employers. You can also view some helpful Career Fair Tips & Resources to get the most out of a Career Fair. This is a free event open to all BCIT students and alumni.

For more info:

Career Services can help you stand out and communicate your value to employers. Plan to impress employers by attending our Prep Workshops, review our Resources, or book an appointment with a Career Specialist to develop your strategy. Attend an interactive session where ideas will be shared on how best to prepare for a Hiring Fair. Learn how to impress employers, stand out and land a job at BCITSA’s Industry Days.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP Oct 21

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

How to Prepare for Virutal Career Fairs

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP Oct 26

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

(Downtown Campus) How to Prepare for Virutal Career Fairs

SELF STUDY MINI COURSE Oct 26

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tips for Virtual Networking

DROP-IN-PREP SUPPORT Oct 25

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Oct 26

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

15-Minute Hiring Fair Prep Sessions

ONLINE SELF-STUDY COURSE Oct 18 - Oct 26

How Best to Prepare for a Virtual Hiring Fair Visit bcitsa.ca/techfair for more information.

Christy Chan

ocial media is no strangS er in our daily routine. The average person spends

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seven hours online each day, and around two-anda-half hours of that using social media. You probably checked it prior to reading this and will again after.

ideal identity

That's not said to be critical; our frequent use of social media is understandable. After all, it allows us to easily connect with people around the world, regardless of the distance. This convenience came in handy during the months of isolation that the pandemic subjected us to. Our lives became virtual, and we had to depend on social media to retain some sense of coherence. Whether we were tapping through Instagram stories, sending Snapchats to our friends, scrolling endlessly on TikTok, or keeping updated through

“If social media has such a damaging effect on mental health, why should we continue using it?”

Although the convenience of social media can't be undermined, it's the influence it can have on mental health that poses a concern. The relationship between social media and mental health is not a new conversation; previous research has highlighted the link between social media usage to an increased risk in anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression, as well as having negative impacts on dietary habits, sleep, and cognitive functioning, such as learning and concentration.2 Past studies have also explored the effect social media can have on how people view themselves— often in comparison to others—and how this reac-

tion could in turn trigger negative attitudes towards oneself or towards society. It isn't difficult to see why this would happen; with increasing social media use, certain platforms like Instagram have become akin to an online portfolio, where the types of photos or content we post shapes the first impressions others form of us. We may find ourselves pressured to post only "good" photos where

we look the best at certain angles or lighting, posed in front of the perfect background with the perfect filter, before seeking validation for our efforts through likes, comments, views, or the followers we subsequently gain. Suddenly, these numbers that give us instant gratification becomes a determiner of self-value: the more likes and notifications we get, the higher our self-worth is. Our flawless, intricate-

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

Facebook, the number of global social media users jumped by more than half a billion between July 2020 and 2021.1

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ly crafted online identity becomes something we feel we must maintain, no matter how different it is to our real self. Instagram influencers, who often post content portraying unrealistic lifestyles or standards, further perpetuate this warped sense of self-perception, which is especially harmful to those who suffer from disorders like body dysmorphia.

What has fuelled more concern is the impact this might have on young impressionable teens. TikTok (used in the US mainly by those in the 10-19 age group3) is a new app, and yet another platform containing content that promotes unrealistic standards of beauty. Not only do certain trends or beauty filters that "fix" our features reinforce the idea of what's considered ideal, influencers who fit these standards are also often the ones who gain popularity easily. Teens who then are constantly exposed to these so-called "ideals" through various social platforms could then start to compare themselves, forming their own self-value based on how closely they match them. This can lead to a harmful mindset that begins

at a young age, triggering a vicious cycle of constant comparison and an insatiable need for validation. If social media has such a damaging effect on mental health, why should we continue using it? One thing to keep in mind is that as we become more reliant on the online world to keep us connected, the number of global digital users will only continue to grow, as will the number of platforms to meet this demand for connection. Social media doesn't have to be harmful. While prolonged—and frequent—usage of some platforms can be detrimental to mental health, there are certain aspects of social media that can be beneficial, especially when used in moderation and with mindfulness. It can even be a safe place to express ourselves, and to find comfort that there are others like us who are going through the same difficulties and stages in life. Actively using social media such as posting, liking, or commenting, is also better than passive use, like reading or scrolling through posts without interacting.4 An important thing to remember is to pull back occasionally and to not let what we see online control the way we think or feel about ourselves, or how we perceive the world around us. Social media will continue to stay prevalent in our

daily lives. It can pave an easy way to connect with our friends and family, or trap us into an alternate, seemingly perfect reality that can often magnify our insecurities. At the end of the day, how we choose to use social media and remembering to differentiate between the realities existing behind screen and off-screen, can help keep our mental health in check.

"Digital 2021 July Global Statshot Report," DataReportal, last modified July 21, 2021, datareportal. com/reports/digital-2021july-global-statshot.

Goodyear, Victoria A., et al. "Social media use informing behaviours related to physical activity, diet and quality of life during COVID-19: a mixed methods study." BMC Public Health 21, no. 1 (July 2021): 1-14. doi. org/10.1186/s12889-02111398-0

"Distribution of TikTok users in the United States as of March 2021, by age group," Statista Research Department, last modified April 15, 2021, statista.com/ statistics/1095186/tiktokus-users-age/.

Escobar-Viera, César G., et al. "Passive and Active Social Media Use and Depressive Symptoms Among United States Adults." Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 21, no. 7 (July 2018): 437443. doi.org/10.1089/ cyber.2017.0668

THE LINK MAGAZINE PODCAST BY BCIT STUDENTS, FOR BCIT STUDENTS

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Angelina Ravelli

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Freshman 15

Because many of us come of age during our time in school, alcohol consumption grows, which is a quick route to gaining weight. Dorm meals and snacks in-between classes are a must. Finding quick access to food that’s actually good for your body… well. It's a challenge. It feels easier some days to skip a healthy homecooked meal for something microwaved or ordered, because you feel like you don’t have the time or energy to eat healthy. It can become a vicious mental and physical cycle. A huge amount of our schedule is consumed by studying and projects. It's more demand on our free time than we've ever experienced before. It's not a crime to take the little time you have to socialize, or simply… relax. Relaxing can be hard when you’re a student, or really anyone. According to the MedicineNet, 40% of adults say they have taken part in stress eating, while

meals in preparation for the busy week can set you up.

“Enjoy your years as a student and do what makes you happy.”

Wellness apps have recently been on the rise of popularity, because people feel like they need support. The app ‘Am I Hungry’ is available on Apple and Android. It is directed to resolve stress eating and promote a healthy eating cycle. The app Insight Timer is directed to improve mental and physical health. With high reviews and free of charge, it is available to both Apple and Android users. As technology becomes more advanced, take advantage of the resources at your fingertips.

another 40% eat less when under stress. According to the American Psychology Association, 34% of adults admit to overeating, and consuming unhealthy foods due to stress. Emotional eating can be linked to mental health illnesses such as depression.

At the end of the day, sometimes all we need is to take a step back from the stress. Take time for yourself and do what makes you happy. Prioritize your personal time as much as you do your work, which is honestly easier said than done. One can’t simply ignore stress; however, you can work toward beating it. Keeping yourself, as a whole, healthy will be the key to success: mind and body.

Creating the time and space in your life to plan out your essentials can be daunting, but it is always ok to reach out to those around you when under stress, to prevent physical or mental damage. For first years adjusting to the big shift in settings and scheduling there are countless ways to stay healthy. Meal prepping is a smart and fun way to make sure you stay meeting your nutritional needs during the week. Taking only a bit of time on a Sunday night to prepack yourself snacks or

Remember that most important priority you have is to stay healthy and care about yourself. Whether that’s going for a quick jog or ordering that overtaxed delivery food at 1am. Enjoy your years as a student and do what makes you happy. Anyways… did someone just say Triple O’s Tuesday?

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

he popular term Freshman 15 refers to the idea that you will inevitably gain 15 pounds as a first-year student. While not actually inevitable, staying in a mental space where you want to eat healthy can be a challenge in your first year. From snacks between Zoom classes, to late night studying combined with a special visit from the Uber Eats guy, it is hard not to want to indulge.

Words and Photos by Cali McTavish

LIVING IN A WAR ZONE: The emotional toll of the front lines of Fairy Creek blockade

For thirteen months a group of people calling themselves land defenders have occupied the front lines of Fairy Creek watershed in an attempt to thwart the logging industry from chopping down the last remaining 3% of old growth forest in British Columbia. In mid-May logging company Teal-Jones Group was awarded an injunction which allowed the RCMP to begin removing protestors. To date, over one thousand people have been arrested. Despite the arrests and the injunction, the camp remains. The tensions on the site have led to weeks of violent confrontations between protestors and police. “There's a side of it that's exhilarating. Healing in a way, being able to act in the face of such a daunting, collective future,” says activist and musician Luke Wallace.

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According to protestors, RCMP have raided camps in the middle of the night, slashed tents, trained floodlights on campers to prevent them from sleeping, prevented food and other essentials from reaching protestors, and used tear gas and pepper spray. In a video taken at the site you can hear an officer telling another to “twist their fingers.” Protestors say tactics are much worse under the cover of darkness.

When asked about interactions between protestors and RCMP, Division Media Relations Officer Sgt. Chris

—Larissa Lukac

Manseau said, “Essentially, the actions of the protesters dictate the actions of the police.” It is hard to imagine the tenacity it would require to remain on the frontlines under these circumstances. Still, the violence has taken a toll, and turnover is high. While there are those who have been there for hundreds of days, many come only for a few. Even a short visit takes an emotional toll. Wallace spent 40 days at the Fairy Creek camp. “I can say definitively that I was actively experiencing PTSD while I was out there and continue to experience that now. That impact on the adrenal system and cortisol and stress hormones and adrenaline… I have spikes at one in the morning that I wake up in a state of fight or flight because of the, you know, the constant 24-hour threat of violent police raids,” says Wallace. When couple Wes Alcock and Larissa Lukac saw the escalating violence on social media, they decided to head to the front lines

to see if there was any way they could help out. Even before they arrived, the couple was exposed to the aftermath of the police response as fellow protestors coached them to wear googles and a bandana covering their ears, mouth and nose in case they got pepper sprayed by police, as that had happened only days before. “I was like wow, this is something I never thought that I would experience. Trying to protect myself from the police for peacefully protesting.” A common theme for protestors was how absurd the situation felt. Lukac described tearing up as she contemplated this question. “There’s this surrealness to it, This desperation. Like, why are we here? How as humanity have we gotten to this point where we're fighting like this when we should just be working together to protect these resources?” In a time when the climate crisis is so obvious and so

imminent, and the number of old growth forests so few, it’s hard to confront the reality that this is even an argument that we as a society need to have. Still, the blockade remains. The sense of collective purpose is unshakeable. “It's pretty safe to assume that everyone's out there to throw down and protect the forest. So, you can start from such a rich place,” says Wallace. Protestors are often awake nearly 24 hours a day as they go back and forth between the front lines and spending the nights building what are known as “hard blocks” to obstruct RCMP. Yet Alcock describes protestors energy for their cause as unwavering. “The stoke that they still have to be there. It was crazy. You're in the middle of the night digging these trenches. And these people are getting amped on, like, how they can build the thing in this new creative way to delay the police from doing the extraction for just a little longer.” Teal Jones Groups injunction expires Sept 26. Although the chances are slim, protestors are hopeful the judge will not award the extension the company has applied for. If denied, it could give protestors some much needed respite from the chaos.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

“How as humanity have we gotten to this point where we're fighting like this when we should just be working together to protect these resources?”

What about

Positive and Negative Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Drinking? Stephanie Bohn

Does it seem like the world can’t decide whether alcohol is good or bad for our health? That’s because there are a lot of dependent variables. We’ve used an article from the Journal of Medicine to summarize the effects of alcohol below (Grønbæk, 2009). Increasing risk of alcohol Generally, the more alcohol consumed, the more adverse the health effects. Low blood alcohol content (BAC) up to 0.1% has been proven to cause euphoria (the state of happiness and excitement that we aim for when we reach for a drink). However, higher BAC levels (0.25% to 0.3%) result in sleepiness and confusion, and levels higher than that result in coma and death. Light to Moderate Consumption Research shows that light to moderate consumers have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death than those who do not drink. While most agree that this is a causal relation, the research is still disputed on individual factors like sex, age, and previous lifestyles (eg. Someone that quit drinking after a decline in health). Heavy Consumption Heavy drinkers are also at higher risk for other health conditions including cirrhosis, liver cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and colon cancer. Traffic accidents, violence, and suicide are also more frequent causes of death.

Grønbæk, M. (2009, March 10). The positive and negative health effects of alcohol- and the public health implications. Retrieved from Journal of Internal Medicine: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/ full/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02082.x

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University of Victoria. (n.d.). Alcohol Consumption. Retrieved September 19, 2021, from Canada Institute for Substance Use Research: uvic.ca/research/centres/cisur/stats/alcohol/index.php

My first drink was a celebratory shot of tequila after prom. While I liked the way the liquor burned, I decided I wouldn’t drink again— with school, a part time job, and a handful of extracurriculars, I simply didn’t have time to spare. Once I graduated, I decided that drinking was an essential part of college life and I dedicated hours to socializing with my peers and experimenting with new drinks. My habits and routines quickly adapted to my new lifestyle–free time on weekdays was for studying and weekends, well… they were for binging and lounging. Alcohol is heavily romanticized in our society; it has a strong presence at every celebration in our lives and is glamourized in media. As a result, drinking has become part of our lifestyles. The University of Victoria ran a study on alcohol consumption in BC and found that the average drinker (15+ years old) consumed a total of 537 bottles of beer a year (just

under 1.5 bottles a day) (University of Victoria, n.d.) Why does it seem like the average post-secondary student consumes at least double that? During my heavier drinking years, I consumed about 1,600 servings a year and told myself that it was okay (it was only on weekends). I thought those years were the best of my life but didn’t realize that I was miserable. The more I drank to socialize and fit in, the more I seemed to lose myself. Moving out and trying to make new friends was tough and I used alcohol to numb myself out. It wasn’t until years after I stopped binging that I started to realize how much damage was done. We know that heavy drinking can cause serious health conditions (see sidebar), have heard horror stories of alcoholics that have ruined weddings and Christmas dinners and have watched shows where families are destroyed by

So, why do I, the girl that is genuinely happy drinking water at a party, the high achieving student that values her education, the woman that has recognized and realized the very negative impacts of ethanol on her mind, body, and relationships, and the daughter of a man who passed away with rum in his hand, still drink? I drink for the same reason I started–it’s built into my life. A glass of wine with dinner, a flute of champagne at a friend’s wedding, and a shot before going out to dance. While I only drink socially now, I’ve found that the reasons to drink, or at least the reasons that other people want me to drink, are more prominent than ever before. The difference now is that I drink with reassured confidence. When I’m drinking, my intent is no longer to get wasted, it’s to actually enjoy the company I’m with (and the taste of my carefully crafted cocktail). Please consume your alcohol mindfully, set your own boundaries, and enforce them. Don’t feel guilty about telling your friends to bug off! Figure out what influences your lifestyle, learn a few stress management techniques (proper sleep, balanced diet, movement, meditation, laughter, etc.), and keep an eye out for any impact your drinking habits might have on your health. Then… drink. If you want to.

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

I didn’t realize that things had been bad until after I cut back. It took me years to recognize the damage that I had caused.

the character that can’t keep their life together.

Josh Mendoza

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RECHARGE. REVITALIZE. REBOOT.

make that time for yourself, even if it’s just a portion of a day, you can let your mind take a break.

Take Time for Hobbies

it's that time of the year again! From the sound of the scrunching leaves, to the warmth of a hot apple cider complementing the cool, autumn breeze, we know fall has arrived. And for most students, it is also an exciting (or nerve wracking) back-to-school season! Taking a BCIT course load can seem daunting—it can even affect your mental health. When things become overwhelming, managing your time can make your life easier.

on which day—these are just a few vital benefits to using your planner. Another important aspect is to not only write down your to-do list, but to do it. For some people, especially procrastinators, this might be the challenging part. Consider reminding yourself that if you get your homework and readings finished during the weekdays, you can take time on the weekend to enjoy yourself and recharge.

A Planner

A Day of Rest

A daily planner can be your best friend, especially when you have a million things to do throughout the week. Jotting down key deadlines, setting up team meetings, and planning which readings you will do

An intentional day of rest – a day for doing the things you appreciate, a day to spend with family and friends, or a day of doing absolutely nothing, can help to recharge for another busy week. If you can

Re-Organize and Re-Orient

After taking time to rest, it’s time to reboot and restart. On Sunday evenings, try to take a little time to go over your planner and strategize your upcoming week. Doing this will keep you aware of due dates and inform you how demanding the week is going to be. If it’s a slower week, you can plan social events with friends or family as well, which will help you ease the pressure of school. Being a student can be overwhelming but learning to manage your time and taking time for yourself to recharge, revitalize, and reboot can enhance your school performance and mental health!

LINK | OCTOBER 2021

Yes,

What gives you life? What gives you energy? Whatever it is, do that activity on your rest day. Whether it’s taking care of your plants, going to an outdoor event, or spending time with loved ones, these small little things will make you feel refreshed and revitalized before Monday hits!