The Ontarion - 184.11

184.11 MAR. 29, 2018

YOUR NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED 1951

PG 12

MENTAL HEALTH

AT U OF G “...reach out and ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather strength.”

DOG JOG

Vet frat raises $15,000 for OVC Pet Trust PG 05

Toxic Relationships: When should you get out?

PG 14

Theatre students do it all in ensemble production.

PG 06

EST. 1951

University of Guelph’s Independent Student Newspaper

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018 AT 6:30 P.M. IN UC 442.

AGENDA 1. Call to order 2. Introduction of Board and Staff 3. Approval of the Agenda 4. Approval of the Minutes from AGM 2017 (March 23, 2017) 5. Items of information - reports 5.1 President 5.2 Vice President Finance 5.2.1 Acceptance of Year End Financial Statements of April 30, 2017 5.3 Editor-in-Chief 6. Board elections 6.1 Outlining of Board responsibilities 6.2 Election of new director(s) 7. Items for action* 7.1 Quorum amendment proposal 7.2 Nominations committee proposal 8. New business 9. Adjournment * The text of the proposals listed under Items for Action is available in The Ontarion office, UC264.

ONTARION MEMBERSHIP LIST AS OF MARCH 21, 2018 If you believe you should be a member, please check the following list to verify that your name is present. Email Aaron at ontarion@uoguelph.ca to ask about any apparent mistakes.

Aaron Jacklin Al Ladha Alano Marcano Alex Lefebvre Alexandra Grant Alora Griffiths Amir Eblan Anna Aukema Ariana Longley Barbara Salsberg Mathews Bukola Toluyemi Caelan Beard Carleigh Cathcart Carlos Mandujano Carolynn Whitehouse Cat Cooper Chantal Cooper Cheryl Verschueren Claire Wilcox Claudia Idzik Corben Grant Dana Bellamy Emma Callon Fatima Buela Fiona Cashell Frances Esenwa Hamaad Shehzad Hannah Ruuth Heather Gilmore Janan Shoja Doost Jonathan Marun-Batista Jordan Terpstra Julie Zhang Karen Tran Kylie Armishaw

Leslie Thompson Lorrie Taylor Mariah Bridgeman Mars Chow Matteo Cimellaro Megan Scarth Megan Sullivan Meghan Tennant Mehkansh Sharma Melanie Katz Michael Cimesa Mido Melebari Mirali Almaula Miriam Habib Natalie Thien Natasha Visosky Patrice Manuel Patrick Sutherland Quinn Baker Rebecca Thompson Salvador Moran Sarah Seukeran Shane Liquornik Sierra Paquette-Struger Sydney Grace Tanner Morton Tasha Falconer Tiann Nantais Trust Katsande Victoria Balog Will Wellington Zoey Ross

For more information, please contact The Ontarion at: ontarion@uoguelph.ca THEONTARION.COM

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@Ont ar i on _ News

U of G master’s student wins Government of Canada History Award Amy McBride uses The Ontarion as a primary source for her award-winning research LESLIE THOMPSON

master’s student has won the $2,000 Government of Canada History Award for her work focusing on the history of women’s liberation on campus. According to the Government of Canada website, the award “honour[s] outstanding students and teachers who show an interest in celebrating Canadian history.” The Ontarion sat down with McBride to discuss the inspiration for her research and how The Ontarion itself helped her win.

Leslie Thompson: First of all, congratulations! How did the idea for this thesis come about?

Amy McBride: The idea for my thesis came about during my undergraduate research project in 2011-2012. I was using The Ontarion to research what life was like for women students in Macdonald College in the 1960s. At that time, I was looking at how they created a female space on campus, and how they brought this space into

A UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

the co-educational environment once the University of Guelph was established in 1964.

LT: How did The Ontarion help in your research?

AM: Using The Ontarion has provided me with a wealth of information unique to this campus…

[It] is a significant primary source because it was the media platform for the campus populace, and using it provides the best way to showcase the voices of students. It contains vast amounts of information pertaining to women students, and the articles I collected cover every issue that related to the liberation movement. However, using a newspaper does have its limitations and faults, including the fact that there were not many women on the editorial team at the beginning of the 1970s. The presence of women did increase throughout the decade though.

LT: How did these women at Guelph contribute to the wider conversation and movement of women’s rights and freedoms?

AM: [Female students at Guelph] held festivals and parades for women and took part in the 1970 Abortion Caravan from Vancouver when it made its way to Ottawa.

They joined an Abortion March in 1971 and the Cross-Country Conference on Abortion in 1973. Women at Guelph held the only parade in the country for Women’s Year, proving that as a collective force they would, and could, be heard.

Remington Outdoor Co., the United States’ oldest gun manufacturer has filed for bankruptcy in a Delaware court. Despite the election of the gun-friendly Donald Trump to the White House over a year ago, Remington reports gun sales have slowed. This announcement was made amid the media frenzy surrounding the March for Our Lives protest that took place on March 24.

STRAWS SUCK

Amy McBride’s thesis focuses on the history of women’s liberation on campus.

PHOTO BY LESLIE THOMPSON

LT: What would you say was the most interesting thing you discovered while doing your research?

AM: The most interesting thing I encountered while researching the lives of women students was to see that these women were not afraid to express themselves and to fight for their rights on this campus. The fact that they participated with the wider movement and made the fight for liberation a part of their daily lives is quite powerful. They connected with one

The Ontarion archives are located in UC 264.

PHOTO BY LESLIE THOMPSON

another and succeeded in making changes at Guelph — changes that have made this campus what it is today. I feel privileged to be able to share the herstory of Guelph women students and hope that we can continue to share stories of our past here on campus.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. For more on Amy’s research on the history of women’s liberation on campus, please visit www.theontarion.com.

national day of action M AT T E O C I M E L L A R O

ON FRIDAY, MARCH 23,

a group of about 80 protesters, led by the oncampus activist group Fossil Free Guelph, participated in a national day of action against the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.

The crowd consisted of community members and students who

In a Twitter announcement last week, the University of Guelph stated that they would remove all single-use straws and plastic bags from hospitality and retail locations across campus beginning in the fall 2018 semester.

Franchises with campus locations, such as Subway or Tim Hortons, will not be required to abide by this new regulation.

HOOPER HOUSE FIRE

On March 26, the Guelph Fire Department responded to a devastating fire at a home on Hooper Street, inhabited by seven male U of G students. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but the Guelph Fire Department stated the house is “a total loss.” Three of the seven students were home during the fire; thankfully all managed to escape without injury.

2ND AMENDMENT

Protesting Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion local MPs for

Compiled by Tiann Nantais

REMINGTON RIFLES

N E WS I N B R I E F

Activists target

ON THE RADAR

marched from The Boathouse Tea Room to Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield’s office downtown where they delivered speeches, a letter, and a sample of fresh water from Burnaby, B.C. Longfield was in Ottawa during the protest.

“It was a very positive mood, ever yb o dy wa s hop ef u l a nd excited to be able to take part in something as big as this,” Ben Stuart, a representative from Fossil Free Guelph, told The Ontarion. “We also had a lot of support from drivers, some very nice honks, [and] people stopping by asking questions.”

In other cities, like Calgary, pro- and anti-pipeline activists

In an opinion piece published in The New York Times on March 27, former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens called for a repeal of the 2nd amendment, stating the NRA’s use of this legislation to guarantee unlimited gun ownership, is fraud.

Index News ..............................................03 Arts & Culture..............................06 Protesters gathered around local MP’s office on Cork Street to protest pipeline expansion. | PHOTO BY MATTHEW GLAVIN

clashed. In Burnaby, B.C. — ground zero for anti-pipeline protests — activists delivered fresh water to the office of local MP Terry Beech, who was also in Ottawa at the time.

“Even though we were only 80 people, we were joined by 50 other cities at around the same time, which was a very cool feeling,” Stuart said.

Sports & Health ........................ 10 Mental Health.............................. 12 Opinion............................................ 16 Fun Page........................................ 20 Editorial ......................................... 22

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#IWillMarch fights to reform gun laws March for Our Lives brings Washington, Parkland, and Canadian students to the streets O D E S I A H OW L E T T

ON MARCH 24, 2018, March for Our Lives brought hundreds of thousands of students and their allies to the streets of over 800 cities and towns — including a few in Canada — to rally for gun control.

After the Parkland, Fla. shooting on Feb. 14, 2018, in which 17 students and teachers were shot and killed by a 19-year-old with an AR-15, high schoolers demanded their U.S. legislators strengthen gun laws by making bump stocks illegal, raising the legal age to purchase a gun (it is currently 18 years of age), banning the sale of assault weapons, and banning high-capacity magazines. Unfortunately, many critics came forward calling the march a conspiracy against the gun lobby, and stating that it is “too soon to talk about gun control.”

Emma Gonzalez — a Parkland shooting survivor and now

Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered to demand stricter gun laws. | PHOTO COURTESY OF CNN

household name — is determined to make sure that she will have been part of the “last mass shooting.” On Feb. 21, she and other Parkland shooting survivors and their families took to the stage at a town hall hosted by CNN and Jake Tapper. Survivors, students, teachers, and families were given the opportunity to talk to Senators

Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, Congressman Ted Deutch, Sheriff Scott Israel from Broward County, a nd Da na L oesch f rom the National Rifle Association (NRA).

At this town hall, Gonzalez, Cameron Kasky, and Ryan Schacter among others asked the legislators and NRA spokesperson pointed, tactful questions regarding gun

control and gun reform.

Planning for the March for Our Lives campaign began at the end of February. Musical performances included Lin Manuel Miranda, Ben Platt, Jennifer Hudson, and more. The stage also welcomed powerful words from 11-year-old Naomi Wadler who brought intersectionality to the forefront of the

injustice. Another inspirational teen, 17-year-old Kasky, acknowledged the broken system and wished Nicholas Dworet, a victim of the shooting, a happy birthday, as he would have turned 18 that day. The final speaker of the night was Gonzalez, whose speech spanned a little over six minutes and 20 seconds, with the majority of it being spent in silence to demonstrate the time it took for the shooter to take the lives of 17 students and teachers.

Kasky created a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of Saturday’s march and his initiative raised more than $3.5 million. With these funds, students can hopefully convince U.S. lawmakers to take them seriously.

David Hogg, another mass shooting survivor, summed up the movement with his words from the march: “We are going to make this the voting issue. We are going to take this to every election, to every state, and every city. When politicians send their thoughts and prayers with no actions, we say ‘no more.’ And to those politicians supported by the NRA, that allow the continued slaughter of our children and our future, I say ‘get your résumés ready.’”

Photo Arts Club loses CSA club accreditation and club space U of G club forced to close doors after over 50 years of service to the community HANNAH RUUTH

ON MARCH 14, 2018, the University of Guelph’s Photo Arts Club (PAC) was notified by the CSA that they must vacate their space as of April 30, 2018.

In an email to The Ontarion, the CSA clubs coordinator explains, “PAC lost their accredited status because they chose not to submit any accreditation documentation for both fall and winter semesters, did not attend mandatory Clubs General Meetings either semester, and did not attend make-up meetings that were arranged for clubs who were not able to attend the original meeting. Overall, PAC did not complete the necessary steps to complete accreditation that all CSA Clubs must complete, as

The Photo Arts Club space has been sitting idle for most of the academic year. | PHOTO BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

outlined in CSA policies.”

Also, to achieve accreditation status, a club needs to have at least 25 members. Current PAC executive and University of Guelph alumni, Ema Suvajac, explained to The Ontarion that after the stress of losing half of their space and dealing with CSA requirements during the summer and fall of 2017, most of PAC’s executive, and many of their general members,

abandoned the club. Suvajac also argues, “PAC could not sign up [new] members in fall 2017 since we were closed due to the CSA construction in the PAC space…

Additionally, who would sign on to take on the burden of cleaning up a construction zone, dealing with the health and safety requirements, and the CSA?” The CSA did not provide an appropriate alternative space for

Photo Arts Club to continue their activities while renovations were taking place. In response to this predicament, the CSA clubs coordinator wrote, “Due to the special nature of PAC and their operations, the CSA does not have a space that was able to accommodate for the uniqueness of their operations (i.e., dark room). However, they were informed that they were able to rent out any rooms or storage

within the Clubs Hallway. They did not choose to utilize these spaces.”

In addition, after the renovations, PAC was asked to meet a list of health and safety criteria in order to maintain the rest of their space.

The current PAC executives told The Ontarion that they interpreted this to mean that the health and safety requirements must be met prior to applying for accreditation.

When the Photo Arts Club attempted to complete the health and safety requirements by sending an email to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at the University, the office took over a month to reply.

“I think it’s an absolute shame that this whole debacle — originally stemming from the CSA’s own lack of due diligence and complete lack of communication regarding renovations and the removal of half of the PAC facility — has ultimately led to the fall of a club that has been serving the community for over 50 years,” said Suvajac.

The club, once home to 80 members, is forced to close their doors, leaving Guelph’s students without an affordable outlet to explore the inspirational tool of photography.

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A good boi.

A really good boi. | PHOTOS BY CARLEIGH CATHCART

Eighth annual Dog Jog raises $15,000 for OVC Pet Trust Vet frat hosts event for furry friends C A R L E I G H C AT H C A R T

ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25,

roughly 160 people gathered at the University of Guelph’s Arboretum, pooches in tow, for the eighth annual Omega Tau Sigma (OTS) Dog Jog. Hosted by the Delta chapter of the OTS professional veterinary fraternity, this year’s Dog Jog easily surpassed its $13,000 goal, with participants raising approximately $15,000 for the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Pet Trust.

Cofounded in 2011 by then-OVC students Rebecca Sterns and Steve Patten, the furfriendly event has raised almost $60,000 for the Pet Trust, which dedicates its funds to support learning, health care, and research into medical issues affecting our beloved companions.

Meredith Garcia, one of the event’s organizers, told The Ontarion: “I’ve known since fourth year of my undergrad that the OTS Dog Jog was something I wanted to be a part of if I was accepted into the OVC. I am a huge supporter of OVC Pet Trust and its initiatives to help our pets live longer, happier lives.”

Another event organizer, Enise DeCaluweTulk, said she jumped at the chance to be a part of the organizing committee. “I love everything the OVC Pet Trust stands for and this was a great opportunity for me to be involved in supporting it. (Plus, who could say no to hanging out in the Arboretum with a bunch of dogs? Not me!)”

This year’s event was a chilly but sunny success, with nothing but smiles on the faces of all attendees. The good company was paired with complimentary coffee and snacks, a food truck, a nail trim booth, and a fun-packed raffle draw. Amid the groovy tunes blasting from the speakers were some generous prizes given out to the oldest canine participant and the registered family with the most dogs present.

Cofounded in 2011 ... the fur-friendly event has raised almost $60,000 for the Pet Trust.

The $20 fundraising minimum was easily surpassed by a large portion of participants. Some folks worked impressively hard, and the top fundraisers were rewarded with a prize as a recognition of their efforts. The lack of a dog was not a deterrent for some participants; phase 1 student Jody Chan saw the two kilometer/ five kilometer walk or jog as an event worth attending, regardless of her own pooch being unable to attend.

“I came today to support a great cause and to help animals. It was amazing to see so many fellow students and community members raise so much money,” said Chan.

“Playing with all those dogs was also a fun plus!”

Whether you brought a Dachshund, a Dalmatian, or a Great Dane, this year’s Dog Jog appears to have been a ‘pawsitively’ perfect success. Thanks to the generosity of the many donors and participants, the tradition will likely remain strong for many years to come.

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Apply now for September! www.conestogac.on.ca

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Ensemble is a rite of passage for theatre students, and every cohort does it differently. Sometimes, groups write their own material, or “devise” pieces using various techniques. This year’s groups opted to focus on producing existing plays. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANNAH DICKIE

Theatre students collaborate, learn new skills for ensemble performances Upper years look back on their degrees in capstone project W I L L W E L L I N G TO N

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or theatre students at U of G, the fourth year ensemble course is like a rocky mountain summit.

“You would always hear the upper years talk about ensemble and it always sounded like it was impossible, like, ‘how are we going to get to the end?’” said Beth Jorgensen, a fourth year theatre student and president of the Drama Student Federation, a few minutes before the doors opened for this Saturday’s ensemble performances. “And now here we are.”

“The cool thing about this project in particular is it’s the first time that the students do everything,” said Louise Enns, another member of this semester’s ensemble class, who is graduating after this semester.

“Every light, every sound, everything has been entirely conceptualized and executed by the students.”

This year’s ensemble featured two groups of upper year theatre students. Enns’ group chose to perform Jonathan Rand’s Check Please, a series of short scenes about blind dates gone wrong. Jorgensen’s group decided to produce 7 Stories, a longer, more heady philosophical comedy by Canadian Morris Panych. Both groups found themselves pushed to take on new roles in the process

of producing. “Last semester was my first time doing lighting, and then from that I was able to be the designer for the lighting for both shows this year,” said Enns.

Her group also shared directing responsibilities, directing some scenes collectively, some individually.

Jorgensen also took on some lighting work in addition to performing the lead role in 7 Stories. “Especially before this course you had some people who were like, ‘I’m only backstage,’ or ‘I’m only an actor.’ But everyone’s on stage, and everyone helped out backstage,” said Jorgensen.

“Acting is such a desperately futile profession,” muses a character, memorably played

by Kenny Grenier, in a scene from 7 Stories.

The ensemble groups felt some of that futility as opening night approached. “A week before opening night we were still like, ‘Are we really going to pull this off?’” said Enns.

“Then the magic kicks in,” said Jorgensen.

Everything has been entirely conceptualized and executed by the students.

Ch e ck Please

7 Stories

— Jo n ath an Ran d

— Mor r is Pa nych

The first of the 2018 ensemble groups performed Check Please by A merican play w right Jonathan Rand, a series of vignettes based on blind dates gone terribly wrong. In one scene, a woman (Caleigh CargoFroom) can’t stop screaming about her favourite football team. In another, a man (Seb Hutton) can barely get through a dinner conversation because he is afraid of the water on the table, the food on the menu, and small talk itself.

The costumes and set were full of bright, bold colours and compositions, with compelling atmospheric lighting provided by lights dangling over the tables. The performers clearly enjoyed the hammy roles and goofy sight-gags, and created some strong moments: Samantha Chasty demonstrated great focus as a woman toggling between many personalities (including a goat), and Anne-Marie Walters got lots of laughs as a baby-blue-suited old-timer doddering gradually across a restaurant to meet her much younger date.

The tech and performances, however, couldn’t totally compensate for the fact that the play itself was awful, laden with clichés. The group therefore demonstrated capability — I only wish they had chosen a better script.

The second group performed 7 Stories

by Canadian playwright Morris Panych, a quippy philosophical comedy in which a woman (Jorgensen) teeters on a seventh story ledge, working up the courage to jump, and in the meantime discussing various issues with her eccentric neighbours, who keep sticking their heads out of their apartment windows.

The production featured a somewhat more subdued colour palette than Check Please, with a nifty apartment building facade built for the show and costumes adding bright splashes of colour. The significantly more sophisticated script gave the actors something to chew on, and for the most part the cast rose to the challenge. Kenny Grenier, in particular, demonstrated a great sense of subtlety in his line delivery, gestures, and facial expressions, lending his characters a sense of wry, wistful melancholy that suited the script. Adam Newton, Sarah Okello, Hunter Hamilton, and Christina Molenaar all shone in various parts, while Jorgensen, as the woman on the ledge, did an admirable job of holding the whole thing together.

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GLT delivers thrills and chills with Ghost Island Light Peter Colley’s haunting script

From left to right, actors Shayne Coffin, Rihannon Phillips, and Oriana Abrahamse try to communicate with the ghost of the lighthouse.

PHOTOS BY KAREN K TRAN

brought to memorable life in new local production H E L E N V I C TO R I A TO N E R

upcoming production of Peter Colley’s The Ghost Island Light offers a reprieve from fluffy Easter bunnies and a return to scares and suspense seven months to Halloween.

The play travels back in time to 1913 and visits a lighthouse in the famed Thousand Islands archipelago in the Saint Lawrence River.

A new lighthouse keeper (played

by Ken Cameron), his wife (Oriana Abrahamse), an assistant (Shayne Coffin), and the local caretaker (Rihannon Phillips) discover the building is haunted by a mysterious ghost, and as the weeks pass, strange happenings and isolation begin to get to them.

In a show such as this, it’s the building suspense that sells the experience. Set crew member and soundboard operator Judith Eden has seen it all come to life. She worked hard perfecting the intricacies of the illusion, from bullet holes to moving wall pieces to secrets which cannot be divulged here.

However, the true magic, she said, lies with the lights and sounds, perfectly timed to send chills down the spines of audience members.

During the first dress rehearsal, as the technology, sets, and actors came together for the first time, even the rough quality and occasional mismatched cue couldn’t reduce the terror and excitement the show inspired in those watching. Ghost Island Light sets the mood like a classic thriller, with the dark tones and emotional strife of an Edgar Allen Poe piece paired with the suspense and jump-scares of Steven Spielberg’s works. This is most definitely not a show to see by oneself.

Adding to the fresh feel is the fact that the playwright, Canadian Peter Colley, has been open to workshopping and altering some of the materials for this production. Assistant director and stage manager Jayne Simpson noted the opportunities this has provided: “It’s given the actors more freedom to give suggestions on what they think might work better.” This has allowed for adaptations to suit the play to the theatre and the four stellar actors involved in the production. All changes come with a

GUELPH LITTLE THEATRE’S

Ken Cameron plays the paranoid lighthouse keeper.

An extended stay in a lighthouse might not be suited for the lightkeeper’s young wife.

full blessing from the playwright, who will be attending the final rehearsals as well as the show’s opening night.

The Ghost Island Light runs at Guelph Little Theatre April 6 to 21.

This is most definitely not a show to see by oneself.

Dare to get scared at GLT’s production of The Ghost Island Light.

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Ferland indulged his imagination with graphic drawings depicting the characters and monsters in his novel. He at one point imagined the work as a comic book, but ultimately the narrative became more prominent and the drawings were left out.

Guelph M.Sc. student’s debut novel inspired by insects he studies In Charles-Étienne Ferland’s Dévorés, wasps are at the top of the food chain L E A H C H O C H I N OV

of food insecurity, insects have entered the spotlight as an undervalued and promising food source. However, in Charles-Étienne Ferland’s new post-apocalyptic novel, Dévorés, published by Ottawa publishing house Les Éditions L’Interligne, this prospect is ironically reversed, and humans themselves are the ones being devoured as enormous mutant wasps go through the

IN OUR CURRENT TIME

human food supply.

Ferland is currently completing a master’s in insect ecology at the University of Guelph. He studies a parasitic wasp, the Synopeas myles, that completes a part of its reproductive cycle in the body of a pest fly of the canola plant, the swede midge.

“Have you seen the movie Alien?” he asked me. “There’s a scene in which an alien lays an embryo inside one of the explorers, and a couple hours later the alien bursts out of the chest of the passenger, and that’s exactly what’s happening with the wasps.”

Evidently, as Ferland explained to me, the leap from science to science fiction is sometimes a simple one: “You just tweak their size or reproductive cycle… change the proportions,” he said.

Ferland’s novel was a creative way to play with the species he saw under a microscope every day and magnify these creatures for

his readers, literally: the fantastical wasps featured in Dévorés are 10 centimetres long if male, or 10 times bigger if female, accentuating their intricate, predatory bodies and making them seem like monsters as opposed to brown specks.

In one passage, the main characters lead an investigation into one of the hives, the size of which is compared to a 12-story building.

These wasps use humans, rather than pest flies, as part of their reproductive cycle.

When I asked Ferland about the appeal of the post-apocalyptic genre, he said, “I like how the freedom of the genre allows the characters to evolve. They don’t have a nine-to-five job… so it opens many doors. There’s a lot of potential for action. I certainly had fun writing it.” He cracked a grin at this point as if to backup the sentiment.

While the novel is currently

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The work was published by L’Interligne, with original cover art by the author himself. More works like the one pictures above can be viewed on his Facebook page.

ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF CHARLES-ÉTIENNE FERLAND

published in French, there are hopes for an English translation to come. Readers can also look forward to two future sequels in which the action will travel beyond Montreal, the initial setting, to an island off the shore of Kingston, Ont., that could serve as a safe haven for the otherwise trapped protagonists.

Although the insects in his book are depicted as monsters, Ferland sees real-life insects as “amazing little creatures that don’t always get the attention they deserve.”

He hopes his novel will open more eyes to the stories these creatures have to tell.

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Art therapy harnesses creative expression for healing Student access to art therapy on campus is limited TIA JULIEN

What is art therapy?

Royal City Church is now one of a number of Guelph churches hosting indie music shows. | PHOTO BY ALEX HARRIS

Weather Station wows indie rock faithful at Royal City Church Kazoo! and CSA host acclaimed songwriter following her stop at SXSW ALEX HARRIS

tour that included a highly praised set at SXSW (garnering mentions from Rolling Stone and The New York Times), indielabel folk artist Tamara Lindeman put on a gorgeous performance for those lucky enough to be in attendance this past Thursday in downtown Guelph. Better known as The Weather Station, Lindeman has crafted a name for herself through poetic passages carefully and tastefully sung to elegant roots compositions, recreated live by Ben Whiteley on bass, Ian Kehoe on drums, and Will Kidman on electric guitar. In its first major event following its recent decision to host more concerts, Royal City Church provided the perfect venue for the subtleties that make this act so great.

Better known for her softer compositions, Lindeman performed mostly the more upbeat material from her recent self-titled release. “I had loud things to say FRESH OFF A

and I wanted to say them loudly,” said Lindeman, explaining her new folk-rock sound. This shift in creative direction has opened up a whole new medium for Lindeman to work in and has allowed the band to perform at a slew of larger festivals and venues. But, ultimately, The Weather Station is still best heard in the quietest of places. Lindeman clearly felt at home in the room and took the opportunity to play a few extra solo acoustic numbers for the attentive audience. The ebb and flow of Lindeman’s guitar-vocal synthesis is akin to standing alone on a calm night under the stars, when the slightest breeze drifting across the back of your neck reminds you how alive you really are.

At the moment, The Weather Station may just be one of the best acts in Canadian music. And as beautiful as the recordings are, you really need to hear this crystal clear voice in person.

Art therapy is the elegant pairing of psychology and art to improve mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Directed by a specialized therapist, the treatment utilizes the distinct benefits of creative expression to care for various ailments. Such an approach can take the form of counselling, healing, treatment, rehabilitation, and psychotherapy, and its versatility diversifies its effects.

Using a set of tools (paints, markers, canvases, etc.), art therapists guide patients through the creative practice, allowing personal expression to promote awareness and understanding of one’s own state of being. Artworks may also be used in traditional counselling to trigger memories or relate meaning within adult and child patients.

Art therapy can employ various artistic mediums, which might include visual arts, music, horticulture, and equestrianism.

For students under high levels of stress, art therapy has the potential to improve wellness, while incidentally supplementing Guelph’s art community.

The arts have long been associated with depression and other forms of mental illness — now, they are being used to promote mental health.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAI-OBERHAUSER

healthy campus environment. No formal plans to make art therapy accessible on campus have been announced.

The undergraduate Psychology Society has hosted art therapy paint nights, as well as events including colouring, to promote this kind of healing. Student initiatives like these are among the only dedicated art therapy resources available on campus.

Art therapy at U of G

Students and art therapy

With increasing demand for counselling and therapy on university campuses, schools like U of G are focusing more on services to improve wellness — the school recently adopted the Okanagan Charter, a document developed at a 2015 conference featuring recommendations for cultivating a

Some students are seeking out the benefits of art therapy in their own time. Second year undergraduate student David Lyver told The Ontarion that he uses art to maintain his own mental wellbeing as a student. “I do find myself turning towards art in times of stress,” he said, “leaning towards

creating art rather than appreciating it, although something as simple as [listening to] music has a wonderful effect on my mental wellbeing.”

Although art therapy as a psychological treatment relies on the guidance of a trained professional, implementing creative practices in their spare time may help students alleviate some of their stress.

“Whenever I’m in my own head too much and just need to take some time and distance myself, I’ve often found that sitting down with a pencil and my sketchbook is incredibly helpful,” said Lyver.

“Guelph students could benefit from this being available on campus, as students are all dealing with stress and the pressure to do well.”

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W W W. C F R U . C A

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SPORTS & HEALTH THE ONTARION

1 4 | TOX IC R E LATI ONS HI PS

1 5 | F RIENDLY BOUNDARIES

Social media usage and mental health struggles Is there a causal relationship?

G H A I D A S FO U R

Facebook and Instagram actually affect mental health? There is an ongoing debate about the effects of social media on mental wellbeing.

Some say scrolling through Facebook every day increases the risk of depression, while others insist that social media use does not affect mental health. The answer is that there is no definitive scientific research to prove the first argument. However, that’s not to say there’s no potential link between mental illness and social media use. There are many factors to take into consideration.

DOES SCROLLING THROUGH

How are you using social media?

First of all, it really depends on how social media is used. If it’s used to keep in touch with friends and family, network with active people in the community, or look for extracurricular opportunities, then it shouldn’t affect mental health. On the other hand, if you ask anyone who has used social media to stay up-to-date on other people’s success stories and seemingly perfect lives, they will confirm that this use of

social media can take a toll on their mental wellbeing.

If you’re using Facebook solely to observe your friends’ lives and compare your life to theirs without actually interacting with them, not only are you defying the whole purpose of Facebook, but you’re also increasing your risk of mental illness.

Do l i ke s i mp ac t yo ur m o o d?

Another important factor to consider is that success on social media is measured numerically. A user’s worth is dictated by the number of followers they have, how many likes they got on their latest selfie, and how many people are watching their live videos. As a result, the smaller these numbers are, the more insignificant a user may feel.

Are you feeling connected or isolated?

Social networks all have a common purpose, which is to bring people together, and to create a network of like-minded people with common interests and passions. Nowadays, it seems like the opposite is happening. These networks are more often isolating people instead of bringing them together. An article published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website confirmed that there is a relationship between isolation

and depression. Social media may not directly cause depression, but since it may lead to isolation, it can contribute towards an unhealthy lifestyle ripe for depression.

@ Ont ar i on _ S p o r t s

Q +A W ITH G U E LPH

Does social media have a positive or negative effect on your mental health?

Are you on your phone before bed?

Positive!

Similarly, social media use before bed can negatively affect sleep quality, and multiple studies reiterate these findings. Good sleep quality is essential for good mental health. Therefore, spending time on social media before bed interferes with the production of melatonin — a hormone involved in monitoring sleep cycles — which may affect mental health.

Keep an eye on your self-esteem

Anyone who uses social media regularly can attest that these sites often display unrealistic expectations of beauty, popularity, and success. Spending an excessive amount of time navigating these sites may not directly cause mental illness, but may affect self-esteem and self-worth in the long run.

More research needs to be done to clearly outline the relationship between social media use and deteriorating mental health. The big question is: does social media exacerbate mental health issues, or do those struggling with mental health tend to use social media more than others?

35%

Negative.

65%

POSITIVE: 35% NEGATIVE: 65%

Every week we’re asking readers to participate in a poll and tell us what you think about a chosen topic.

Look for our polls posted on our Facebook and Twitter page every Wednesday, and post your comments for a chance to see your opinion printed in next week’s issue of The Ontarion!

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS @fatimasjournal: For me it’s both a positive and a negative!

I did vote positive since it’s just so much fun. Easiest way to get and stay in contact with friends and family. Negative bc it can be distracting when I’m supposed to be doing something else...Like right now @IndJustice : Depends how many posts about lost student cards I have the pleasure of deleting that week. ;)

New male birth control pill shows promise in recent trials Dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) promises gender equity at the reproductive level TA S H A FA LC O N E R SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN working for years to create a form of birth control for males. Many past trials have seen varied side effects, including reduced sex drive, liver inflammation, and multiple doses needed a day.

The Endocrine Society has found a new drug — Dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) — that may function as a form of male birth control.

Testing on 83 males has found

that the pill seems to be safe and effective. Similar to the current pill taken by women, DMAU would be taken daily. The pill includes the hormones androgen and progestin.

This drug works to suppress sperm production by reducing hormones, including testosterone.

Although DMAU seems safe for liver and kidney functions, like any drug, there are some side effects.

Side effects of DMAU seem to be mild and include weight gain and a decrease in good cholesterol. Additionally, its efficacy is negatively affected when not taken with food.

Miriam Klemm at the University of Berlin notes that the development of male contraceptives intensified in the 1970s, after the female birth control pill was released. The World Health Organization (WHO) played a large role in the early research of male contraceptives.

After 60 years of the female pill, male birth control is catching up.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

According to Stephanie Page, the senior investigator for DMAU, men prefer pills over other reversible contraceptives that could be created. While this could be the case, the progression may enable more types of contraceptives, allowing males the same choices as females.

Sexual scripts indicate that it is the man’s responsibility to provide protection against STIs (i.e. condoms), and that it is the woman’s responsibility to prevent pregnancy through another form of

contraception. Contraception that males can take would allow for a change in this narrative, creating a script in which everyone is responsible for their own sexual health.

While the creation of a male contraceptive pill opens up this possibility, a study at Teesside University indicates that it may take a while. Male participants indicated that they understood the benefits of a male contraceptive, but were hesitant to take it unless the long-term effects had been fully researched

and there were no side effects.

Planned Parenthood notes that the testing for the female pill was not extensive but were up to the standard of the time. When the pill was released there were many unknown side effects that would take a decade to realize. While the pill has been improved there are still some minor side effects today, such as: • Irregular bleeding • Changes in sex drive • Weight changes • Breast tenderness • Headaches There are also still serious health risks associated with the female birth control pill, but they’re very rare, particularly now following advancements in the pill.

These risks include blood clots, increased risk for heart attack, and increased blood pressure.

PET OF THE WEEK

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE OTTO

LUCY

The Corn Snake

T:10”

Human: Stephanie Otto Pet’s Age: Two years old Fun fact: Lucy enjoys watching

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T:7”

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MENTAL HEALTH AT U OF G U of G Counselling Services work with limited resources C AT CO O PE R ACCORDING TO SUZANNE WELSTEAD,

a former University of Guelph counsellor, the organization of on-campus counselling services leaves something to be desired.

“I started at the University back in 2001, so I remember that it was a different type of counselling service back then. We used to be able to do weekly appointments, and it’s changed so much,” Welstead told The Ontarion.

“By the time I left, which would have been about a year ago in 2017 […], it might be six weeks before I could see someone again.”

Welstead spoke to the overflow of clients at the counselling services found in the UC, and the lack of resources to handle it.

“It’s a really hard thing that all universities are caught in now, because the reality is that they just don’t have the money, and what they should do

NEED TO TALK? U of G Counselling Services: 519-824-4120 x53244 Good2Talk student helpline: 1-866-925-5454

is say, ‘This is what we can deliver, this is what we can’t deliver,’ and they should be very upfront about that […].

I think that message has gotten really blurry, and it could be more clearly communicated. I don’t think they can deliver on what they used to be able to do. It’s just not reality,” said Welstead.

“The U of G services, they could be twice as big, and they could [still] be busy […]. They’re doing the very best they can with the resources they have.”

Evaluating different options on campus Luckily, Welstead’s take on U of G’s counselling services does not reflect my experience. I started on my quest for improved mental health back in the fall, after sitting down at a pop-up “sidewalk talk” program on a whim. To my surprise, I found it very helpful to just talk about whatever was going through my head. I began seeking other resources on campus, including going to Raithby House, signing up for the STARTonTrack program, and making counselling appointments.

I quickly found that Raithby House was not for me. The undivided attention of the volunteers was a little unnerving. If you just want to ramble about what’s bothering you, and need to do it now, I would

recommend Raithby House. If not, alternative outlets on campus may suit your needs better.

Although wait times to see a counsellor on campus can still be long, I was fortunate enough to be able to book an appointment every three weeks. I found counselling services to be accommodating in terms of support, and an all-around positive experience. I look forward to my counselling appointments — taking that time to indulge in guilt-free complaining is refreshing. There are also half-hour crisis walk-in appointments available if you want to speak to someone and it can’t wait for a week or longer. The only drawback with walking in is you can’t guarantee who will be on call and may not see your regular counsellor or a counsellor you click with.

U of G counsellors on when to seek help and what drives them It can sometimes be difficult to determine if, and when, you should reach out and ask for help. U of G counsellor Stella Mfoafo-M’Carthy recommends that “if things are not going as expected, then reach out and ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather strength. Reach

out when you are not functioning at your optimum and life seems to be at a standstill. People can also reach out if there are doubts about their situation and [the] solutions they are implementing.”

Mfoafo-M’Carthy and Welstead believe that altruism and connection is at the heart of the profession.

I wanted to be in the helping profession,” said Mfoafo-M’Carthy. “I was scared of blood, so the medical field was out of the question.

After taking sociology and becoming familiar with human social interactions and the challenges we face, I decided to pursue social work and learn about solutions. The best part of my job is witnessing the changes that occur in the lives of my clients. It is seeing hope found and/or renewed as people tap into formal and informal resources and their own personal strength to make the changes needed.”

“I definitely think therapists must believe in change,” said Welstead, “and I think that one of the most inspiring things about my profession is the chance to see a change occur and happen, and then the amazing differences it makes for people, and often in the most intimate parts of their lives.”

Master’s students offer counselling to campus and community Inside the Couple and Family Therapy Centre M AT T E O C I M E L L A R O

at the UC aren’t the only mental healthcare option on campus. To learn more about another option, The Ontarion interviewed Amanda Buda, the client services coordinator for the Couple and Family Therapy Centre.

Matteo Cimellaro: What is the Couple and Family Therapy Centre? What are you about?

Amanda Buda: The Couple and Family Therapy Centre is a distinct training program that offers among the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards of clinical training, supervised practice, and clinical care in Canada. Our approach is

COUNSELLING SERVICES The Couple and Family Therapy Centre (CFTC), located at the back of MacDonald Hall.

CFTC offices are found on the north side of campus.

unique in that we think about clients in the context of their relationships (partners, families, friends, work) as well as the wider communities in which they live. We apply this “relationship” focus to all of our client work, even when working with individuals.

We provide ongoing therapy to individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of problems or concerns.

MC: Who can access your services?

AB: While we are largely community based, we also see students from the University of Guelph. Students can use the Couple and Family Therapy Centre as an alternative to Counselling Services located in the UC. MC: What services do you provide?

AB: We help clients with: family, couple, workplace and school challenges, conflicts, and communication; life transition and change; intimacy and sexuality; anxiety, stress, and depression; grief, loss and feelings of isolation; parenting or blended family challenges; trauma, unexpected crises, and intimate partner violence. We help clients to: consider alternate ways to manage, cope, and deal with problems; generate possible solutions and implement constructive change; enhance current strengths, skills, and personal resources; help build communities of support and concern.

THE COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY CENTRE LOCATION:

MacDonald Hall Annex, entrance of Lennox Lane HOURS:

Mondays to Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COST:

Fees are based on a sliding scale ranging from $5 to $100, based on household income FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

519-824-4120 ext. 56335

CFTC is an on-campus alternative to Counselling Services in the UC. It’s okay to not be okay; it’s okay to reach out for help.

Mental healthcare practitioners: what’s the difference?

LESLIE THOMPSON

PSYCHIATRISTS receive both scholarly and hands-on training on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. They also receive extensive training on medications, and are able to prescribe them to patients.

receive the same training as psychiatrists — minus the extensive

PSYCHOLOG ISTS

medication training. Although psychologists learn about medication, they are not allowed to prescribe it.

T H E R A P I S T S and counsellors focus on specific problems, significant changes in one’s life, and fostering overall wellbeing.

Therapy mainly surrounds solving shortterm problems.

SOCIAL WORKERS can also be therapists specialized in areas such as child and family services, couples therapy, and substance abuse counselling. They provide a variety of services outside of counselling as well, and help people cope with problems in their everyday lives.

focus on long-term solutions. The practice involves working to overcome problematic and debilitating thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

PSYCHOTHER APISTS

14

S P O RT S & H E A LTH

TALK N E R DY TO M E

Hookups and mental health

|

M A RCH 2 9, 2018

Warning: Corrosive relationship ahead Recognizing when your relationship becomes toxic TA S H A FA LC O N E R

TA S H A FA LC O N E R

MENTAL HEALTH and sexual health are closely related.

As this column has mentioned before, there are many benefits to sexual activity. These benefits, which include better sleep and stress relief, can influence mental health in a positive way. Partnered sexual activity can also directly affect mental health by lowering depression and anxiety.

There is plenty of discussion on the positive mental health benefits of sexual activity within a relationship, but hookups are often seen as having a more negative impact on mental health. Research on this has been mixed. Some research finds a negative connection between hookups and mental health, but others uncover no such connection.

Zhana Vrangalova of Cornell University sought to understand why this may be the case. Vrangalova’s research found that the motives behind hooking up play a significant role in mental health outcomes.

N o n- au t o no mo u s mo t iv e s include: to feel better about oneself, to avoid unpleasant feelings, as a favour, as revenge, or because of coercion or deceit.

These non-autonomous motives were generally less common than other motives, such as to have fun, for enjoyment, or to learn more about oneself and one’s sexuality.

Participants who hooked up for non-autonomous reasons tended to have lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression and anxiety.

Those participants also had more physical symptoms, including aches and pains, allergies, flu symptoms, and sleeping difficulties.

When people hooked up for reasons other than the non-autonomous ones listed above, they had similar levels of depression and anxiety, but had higher self-esteem than those who did not hookup at all.

Vrangalova’s research found that, in general, hooking up is not related to depression, self-esteem, or physical symptoms. These results indicate that there may be no negative long-term impacts of hooking up, and in fact, may be some positive impacts while attending post-secondary institutions.

Wa nt mor e infor mat ion about the connections between mental health and sexuality?

Check out “Are your sexual and mental health related?” at www. theontarion.com

TH E O NTA R I O N

SOMETIMES relationships become toxic or abusive and this can impact your mental and physical health. Most relationships often do not start out as toxic, but become toxic as time goes on. This can impact your ability to recognize when a relationship is becoming toxic, which is why those who are closest to you, such as your friends and family, can be good judges because they are able to see things more clearly.

One of the best ways to recognize a toxic relationship is to know what one looks like. Having some conflict in your relationship is not

toxic; in fact, it’s necessary. But fights should not be happening all the time. Any type of relationship can be toxic — not just romantic relationships. And relationships don’t need to be abusive in order to be considered toxic.

Toxic relationships often come out of an imbalance in power.

Manipulation and control can play a large role and are major red flags that signify an unhealthy relationship. You should not question or change who you are for a relationship.

While everyone may get jealous at times, major jealousy in a relationship can indicate a lack of trust. There are also certain stressors associated with having to tiptoe around a significant other or close friend.

Relationships should not be allencompassing; both people should have their own lives outside of the relationship. If all your time is spent focusing on the other person,

ILLUSTRATION BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

you may become isolated. Isolation poses a major risk to your mental health and can be dangerous in any relationship.

If the relationship is one-sided, meaning that you’re giving much more than you’re getting, it may be time to reevaluate. Additionally, it is a problem if you can’t count on the other person to be there when you need them.

How you feel also plays a role here too. If spending time with the person often makes you feel emotionally drained, it’s probably not a healthy relationship. If you’re no longer happy, or are staying in

a relationship out of obligation, it might be time to leave.

There are numerous reasons why people stay in toxic relationships. Leaving a relationship and being alone can be a very difficult thing to face. Reaching out for help from those who are close to you or from professionals is an important step towards caring for yourself and keeping yourself safe.

If you recognize or notice any red flags in your relationship, or are unsure about something that you’ve experienced, it can be great to talk to someone about it. There are lots of resources available online.

Tasha Falconer is completing her M.Sc. in Health Psychology studying sexting and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Guelph. She has co-facilitated the sexual education program, BabySmarts, run by Beginnings Family Services in Guelph.

What you need to know about the Guelph Quidditch community It’s not just for witches and wizards!

S Y D N E Y G R AC E

SITTING ON A TRAIN from King’s Cross Station to Arbroath, Scotland, J.K. Rowling set out to write a series of fiction novels about a wizard named Harry. No one could have anticipated the mark her magical characters would have on the culture of the next generation.

Not only have Rowling’s books instilled a love of reading in children and adults alike. They have also given rise to an innovative new sport: Quidditch.

This co-ed, full contact sport plays out as a hybrid between rugby, European handball, and dodgeball. And all with a broom between your legs!

Positional captain Sam Chomyc was one of the first members of the inaugural Guelph Quidditch program, founded in 2011 by Laura Brown.

“I think Quidditch started out as a haven for these awkward nerdjock hybrids who didn’t have any way to express themselves,” Chomyc told The Ontarion, “but we’re a lot more competitive now.”

The program has grown to include two 24-person rosters: University of Guelph Quidditch (GQ) and Royal City Quidditch (RC).

The Gryphons Quidditch was inaugurated in 2011. | PHOTO BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

This haven has been home for many players throughout the years, including Tia Julien, a fifth year GQ player. “This sport offers a diversified pool of incredible people from various athletic backgrounds with a support network unlike any other sport I’ve ever participated in,” said Julien.

However, it’s clear that this inclusive team still knows how to intensify on the pitch. Riley Andrews-Dwyer, a third year GC team member, conveyed this by saying: “It’s a great way for people to still have a competitive sporting experience without being on a varsity team.”

Both Gryphon clubs will be heading to Tim Hortons Field in

Hamilton to compete in the 2018 National Championships from March 31 to April 1. This event is set to be the largest one in Quidditch Canada history, with 17 teams attending from across the country.

R C play er, A iden G ou ld , expressed excitement about the wide repertoire of competitors.

“A lot of our players have never experienced the playing style of western teams, so making sure we stay on our toes will be fun,” Gould explained.

Sean Castillo, also an RC athlete, reiterated, “Every tournament has its own energy flows — we just have to keep it light and have fun.” Castillo also clarified that

the intensity for both teams will be very high.

As a J.K. Rowling fan, it’s surreal to think that this all started with some books; seven books to be exact.

Although Rowling’s work is now only a small part of what Guelph Quidditch stands for, the Harry Potter series still means something for some players, like RC member Nick Marinac, who will keep the books with him for a lifetime. “I have read the Harry Potter series way too many times,” Marinac explained. “And I will read it to my children.”

I S SU E 18 4.1 1 | S P O RT S & H E A LTH

TH E O NTA R I O N .CO M

Developing healthy friendship boundaries Why saying no to a friend may be important for your own mental health

and I didn’t realize that while I was outwardly suffering, they were suffering on the inside and didn’t feel they could tell me. That was the last thing I wanted to happen, and I wish I had known sooner.

2. If

LESLIE THOMPSON

who wanted my friends to be my counselors. I wanted these people that I loved to be able to fix my mental health problems, to solve things for me, to make me better — and I would get upset (and even more depressed) when they couldn’t. I’ve learned that it doesn’t work like that.

Here are the top three things that I’ve learned through my own experiences, whether it’s as the friend who’s suffering, or as the support.

I USED TO BE THE GIRL

1. You

can say no. Sometimes it’s that simple, really. If you’re dealing with your own stuff, you’re allowed to say you’re not able to drop something off at their house, or you can’t go talk to their professor for them, or you can’t call in sick for them at work. Some of my friends bend over backwards for me,

you say yes, know where to draw the line. If your friend is having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you can help by sending them texts or calling them as an alarm, if it’s not disrupting your morning routine. But where this gets problematic is when you become overwhelmed by the pressure of it, or your friend is making you do all the work. If they’re not turning their ringer on or ignoring your texts on purpose, it’s not your responsibility to go farther down the rescue hole. People have to want help, because if they don’t, you can’t make them.

3. If

you need to remove yourself from a situation, it doesn’t make you a bad person. As friends, we feel the need to try and help our friends with their problems. If you’re like me, you take on the emotional burden yourself, and then end up overwhelmed and burnt-out. If a

friend makes you feel bad for refusing to try and solve their mental health issues, or guilts you into sticking around, you need to get out. You can connect them with the services they need, or let a professional know, but you’re allowed to distance yourself. It’s not healthy for you, and it’s not healthy for your friend to depend on you.

To those suf fering from mental health disorders: This does not mean you are a burden.

It means that while you can rely on friends and family for moral support and love, they have a right to their own lives. You owe it to them, and to yourself, to see a mental health professional.

I didn’t realize that while I was outwardly suffering, they were suffering on the inside.

Knowing when to say no is important for both party’s wellbeing.

PHOTO BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

undergraduates wanted WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS! The Board of Directors sets policy, manages the business affairs, and is the ultimate authority of The Ontarion. Its policies and procedures help to ensure both effective management for the paper, and financial security for the corporation. The Board is also responsible for creating and helping to maintain a healthy and productive working environment.

Contact onchair@uoguelph.ca for more information THEONTARION.COM

15

OPINION

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THE ONTARION

1 7 | WASTE- FR E E LI V I NG

1 8 | CAT LICENSES

@ t h e ont ar i o n

M Y M E NTAL H E ALTH S TO RY

Creating my website Anxious & Alive Working through anxiety and helping others K AT I E M C L E A N

before first year is supposed to be a fun, exciting, nerve-wracking, freeing, stressful time. For me, it was the summer that rocked my world into a new understanding of mental health, anxiety, and who I was.

When I first realized I was experiencing anxiety I went into a research frenzy to learn how to “fix” myself. I was obsessed with trying to find just one story of someone who understood and was going through the same thing as me. I wanted to know how to shake the feeling and to shed my own skin while still trying to live the life I had planned for. At the time of my initial research, I found many websites telling me what anxiety was, but not many telling me what I could do about it, and almost none featuring real people who might actually understand what I was experiencing.

In the summer before my final year of undergrad, I created an online support website called Anxious and Alive. I created it in 2015 after four years of trying to understand how I would live my new adult life and feeling plagued by anxiety in many aspects of my life.

I created A&A with the intention of supporting people from all walks of life, each with their own

THE SUMMER

story to share. My goal with A&A is to show people that not only can you live and cope with anxiety, but you can also thrive with it. I can’t express how grateful I am for everyone who has shared their story with me. I have learned so much about people, the human condition, and the incredible resilience and bravery that people have within them.

I have learned so much about suicidality beyond the stigma, and sadly during this process of personal growth, learning, and healing, I have lost a friend to suicide. Losing Chris shook me to my core, and made me realize how important this work is. I realized that all components of the ego that come into play when searching for success meant nothing. Pouring my heart into caring for others is the only way to succeed — by trying to prevent other tragedies like Chris’ death from happening.

If there is one thing this year has taught me, it’s that we are all more powerful than we think we are. This means so many things to me. This means that we are resilient. This means that we are capable of healing ourselves. This means that we can get to the darkest corners of our lives, but then spot the light on the horizon. This means that we can all help others in so many ways. All we need is a little compassion for ourselves and the ones around us, a lot of empathy, and a pinch of bravery to take the first step.

For me, sharing my stor y through the website that I created was liberating, and I know many of our writers have expressed similar

I have learned so much about people, the human condition, and the incredible resilience and bravery that people have within them. feelings of liberation. Our readers can often find solace in knowing that someone else out there knows their path. For me, knowing others are on a similar path makes the journey feel much less lonely.

I want other people with mental health struggles to know that they are not alone. To them, I want to say: You are braver than you think.

You are strong beyond belief, even more so on the days you feel weak. Every moment you push through is a success, and though not every day is good, there is good in every day.

Interactive website offers students comfort and support.

PHOTO BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

See your

name ontarion@uoguelph.ca WWW.THEONTARION.Com/volunteer

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I S SU E 18 4.1 1 | O PI N I O N

TH E O NTA R I O N .CO M

A guide to waste-free living Reducing or eliminating waste is attainable V I C TO R I A R O D R I G U E Z M O R R I S O N

OVER THE YEARS,

FOOD

One of the easiest and most common ways to reduce waste is to bring reusable bags with you when shopping and to avoid plastic bags. Large bags for carrying groceries home are easy to get at grocery stores.

To completely avoid plastic, it’s best to focus on whole foods rather than pre-prepared, processed foods. This part might require more effort in the kitchen, since you’d be buying ingredients and avoiding shortcuts. When buying dry products, like rice, flour, and sugar, simply buy in bulk and fill up your own mason jars.

Things like bread and cookies come in lots of packaging, so baking at home can reduce plastic consumption while enjoying a delicious treat. Buying local fruits and vegetables that don’t require fossil

LETTER TO THE EDITOR RE: OPINION: U of G’s half a million dollar financial scandal

completely

environmental damage caused by humans has been accumulating without much thought of the consequences. More and more, this damage is surfacing and affecting life on Earth.

An example of that damage is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is an accumulation of plastic debris weighing up to 250,000 tons in the North Pacific Ocean, according to Marcus Eriksen and colleagues at the University of Connecticut.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch interferes with wildlife ecosystems and will not disintegrate for thousands of years. This type of environmental damage is classified as accumulative harm because it is caused by pollution from many sources rather than just one. Since there is not one cause to blame, it is difficult to implement policies that would entirely prevent further damage. However, although the impacts of individual policies seem minute, they can still be very influential if they become popular. For example, if living a zero-waste lifestyle becomes a fashionable trend, global waste would be largely reduced.

If living a waste-free lifestyle is something that interests you, here are some steps that you can easily take to integrate more conscientious habits into your daily life.

Remember that any step to being a greener individual is a step in the right direction!

17

Reducing our waste so that we don’t see this every time we go outside for a walk.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEON BRAND

fuel-driven transportation can also decrease accumulative pollution.

For storage of food, glass containers with mostly glass lids are the best option for long lasting products. Rather than packing lunches with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, beeswax food wrappers are becoming a popular sustainable option.

I really appreciated your story on the U of G rebranding controversy. I think though that the amount of money spent is just one part of the problem, and it shouldn’t be getting all the attention. What’s more problematic is the fact that the University spent that much money without following the proper protocol.

I say this because if you work in the communications field, you understand that branding projects are costly, especially when they’re big scale endeavours. So $600,000 (of taxpayer funds no less) is a lot of money, but it’s not completely ludicrous. However, not following guidelines for putting out an RFP [Request For Proposal] is ludicrous.

RFPs are important for giving everyone a fair shot at securing the job contract. They’re also a great way to see lots of different ideas and whether there’s a new company that really “gets” your brand vision. Not putting out the RFP for this massive rebranding project not only broke the rules, but it also negated lots of companies from entering the competition.

I think that at the end of the day, the University not only caused an avoidable controversy, but also missed out on potentially finding another company that could have done an even better job for a smaller price tag.

—Rebecca Dudgeon

HYGIENE

If you’re not into crafts, stores like Lush provide a variety of waste-free products, like shampoo bars, conditioner bars, tooth powder, and mouthwash tabs.

And if you’re not ready to go full Lush, simply switching to a biodegradable or wooden toothbrush will minimize your overall waste in your lifetime by a lot.

For lotions, one simple recipe can be used and adjusted as required. The two ingredients are beeswax and a carrier oil. The carrier oil can be any type of oil, preferably local. And the consistency of the recipe can be adjusted by changing the concentrations of the two ingredients. More beeswax makes a more solid product, like lip balm, while more oil makes a softer product, like body lotion. Other ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter can add nutrients to the lotion. Essential

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. | PHOTO COURTESY OF STEM

oils can be used to add aroma to the products.

GOING OUT

Socializing might be the greatest challenge when it comes to avoiding waste since peers influence your choices. A few easy ways to avoid temptation is to go out prepared. Having a reusable water bottle is essential for staying hydrated. Water fountains can be found almost anywhere! Having a reusable mug is great too if you’re grabbing a coffee or tea on the go.

Often coffee shops have ceramic

mugs and glasses available. All it takes to avoid straws is to ask!

Other temptations when going out can include advertising. It’s impossible to avoid, and can leave you feeling like you need to buy something new. It’s important to think about what you already have and to consider whether you really need to accumulate more material possessions.

Send your letters to oneditor@ uoguelph.ca by Monday at 12 p.m. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all letters deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, ableist, advertorial, libelous, or otherwise oppressive or unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. We ask that letters be kept to a maximum of 300 words. We will edit longer letters at our discretion. All letters must include a full name and phone number (contact information is not published), including those which are intended to remain anonymous.

The Ontarion may occasionally print anonymous letters when personal safety is an issue.

18

O PI N I O N |

M A RCH 2 9, 2018

TH E O NTA R I O N

All Guelph-dwelling felines must be licensed The cats are revolting.

B E R E N G A RV I E

of what has been termed, by those in the know, as the “meow tax,” I have noticed a rather disturbing trend manifesting itself in my own, and even in my acquaintances’, cats. It is with a soft step and fearful eyes that my feline friend Bugs timidly hops down the smooth concrete steps leading to a garden once filled with endless diversions of the sort guaranteed to keep any self-respecting cat busy for hours.

But today, alas, Bugs simply sits.

No frolicking or playing. Ears back, and shoulders hunched.

Watching. Waiting.

To fully understand the cause of his misery, we must go back to a slightly nippy morning in November of last year, when the Guelph Mercury ran a story titled “Cat licences to become mandatory in Guelph in 2018.” Further detail

SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Bugs is unimpressed with the message from the City of Guelph to all cat owners. | PHOTO COURTESY OF GUELPH TODAY

is given regarding just how much money these licenses will cost (because, of course, there is a cost).

The licensing of one cat will cost $25, with each subsequent cat costing $18.75 per year. The reasons given by the City of Guelph and DocuPet (the company managing the licensing program) are varied, but basically boil down to the alleged inability of the Guelph Humane Society to handle the large expense associated with processing lost cats. And this from a company (i.e. DocuPet) that, according to Global News, had its door-to-door assessments suspended in Kingston, Ont. after claims of “inappropriate conduct” appeared online.

Reconciling myself with the fact that out of each fee, $5 will go to DocuPet as an “administration fee,” and looking past the possibility that this is merely a “cash grab,” as some have suggested, I still can’t understand why the meow tax should also apply to indoor cats. Surely, if a cat never ventures outside, or even roams about freely in a securely-fenced garden, then it’s ridiculous to

force the owners of these cats to pay for a problem that they’re not even causing. It would be just as logical to charge everyone a $5 “litter tax” every time they go for a walk in their local park, instead of actively trying to penalize those who actually litter. But logic, and indeed fairness, are entirely absent from this decision. As time goes on and this becomes the new normal, people will get used to it. People move on. Cats don’t.

After reading Bugs the rough draft of this article, he seemed more alert, even more confident.

His whiskers bristled, and his eyes flashed with rage. He is no longer depressed by this new wave of anticat sentiment sweeping the land, but energized and determined. The other cats are acting oddly as well.

I don’t know what they may be planning, but my conscience wouldn’t be clear if I didn’t warn you: Beware! You can only push cats so far.

Modern day ticket scalpers capitalize on your desperation Why you shouldn’t buy from StubHub K AREN K . TRAN

BUYING TICKETS for events isn’t how it used to be. There’s special presale codes, verified fan tickets, exclusive mailing list access, and the list goes on. Even if you wake up early to buy tickets right when they go on sale, it’s not guaranteed you’ll get those coveted seats to see your favourite band. All these extra hoops you have to jump through are allegedly for your benefit — to prevent scalpers from getting their hands on your tickets.

But the problem is that it’s easier than ever to be a scalper.

If you’ve never used ticket resale marketplaces like StubHub or Verified Tickets by Ticketmaster, here’s how it works: sellers list (high demand) tickets for concerts, sports events, plays, etc. on these sites at any price they want, and StubHub receives a commission fee if they’re sold. They do guarantee that your ticket is legitimate, or you get a full refund if it doesn’t get you into the event.

However, anyone who’s ever looked into buying a ticket from sites like these would know that the price for tickets are usually sky high.

According to ticket aggregator

website TiqIQ, the average price of a ticket to Super Bowl XLIX was $3,950.

It’s outrageous that ticket scalpers would capitalize on a product that they don’t even produce themselves. They aren’t affiliated with the producers of the show and they don’t add any exclusive value to the tickets they’ve purchased — they merely exploit the fact that they have something that everyone else wants. Sellers know that there’s always going to be a fan who wishes that they could’ve gotten better seats, a parent who’s trying to find the perfect birthday present, and last-minute buyers who are desperate enough to pay exorbitant prices.

Some artists and venues have been trying to combat scalpers as best they can, but often fall short of expectations and actually end up making it more difficult for real fans to purchase them. Some of the tricks I’ve seen include: • Presale codes: sponsors of the event share codes to buy tickets reserved for their members • Early fan club access: signing up for a mailing list that will send an exclusive purchase link • Only allowing in-person purchases at the box office: which means waiting in long lines and potentially taking a day off work or school • Will call pick-up only: ticket holders are forced to show ID

Without price restrictions for online ticket resale marketplaces, scalpers can take advantage of fans and charge exorbitant prices. | IMAGE OBTAINED VIA TICKETMASTER

and a matching credit card to pick up their tickets at the box office These verification checkpoints can act as barriers that prevent fans from accessing tickets. They create extra steps that not everyone has the means to obtain. For instance, some people might not: • Have their ow n A merican Express card (a company that often provides presale codes to their cardholders) • Be able to pay for a fan club membership (some artists charge annual fees for exclusive content and presale codes to their events) • Have the luxury to visit the box

office in person (a sizeable road trip for out-of-towners) • Own their own credit card (a problem I faced as a teenager, when I had to borrow my mom’s card and beg her to pick up the tickets for me at the ticket outlet) It used to be that scalpers would have to loiter around the venue the day of the event and harass passersby to ask if they were buying or selling tickets (which they still do), but now that online ticket marketplaces exist, it’s easier than ever to sell overpriced tickets. These outlets don’t even regulate the prices. Clients can list their tickets for a $1,000

markup or more if they choose.

So how do these modern day scalpers get away with selling tickets for such outrageous prices? Because people keep buying them.

It’s inevitable that scalpers will always exist and continue to exploit the system, but there should be ways to police these outlets and prevent them from taking advantage of buyers. Online ticket marketplaces should enforce maximum limits for prices listed — up to a reasonable percentage of the face value of a ticket. But in the meantime, don’t buy from scalpers — and, it should go without saying, but don’t be a scalper.

TH E O NTA R I O N .CO M

I S SU E 18 4.1 1 | O PI N I O N

ON SEX

The Ontarion is setting aside space for three free classified ads in each issue. First come, first served. Free classified ads cannot be booked more than a week ahead of the issue they appear in.

NEXT WEEK'S FREEBIES ARE AVAILABLE NOW. Love and human connection can transcend all barriers. | PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM STITT

Dating someone with a disability My partner’s cerebral palsy made me recognize my internalized ableism N ATA L I E T H I E N

when I first laid eyes on him. My first thought was, “Oh this guy is cute.” Then I looked at the way he was limping towards me with a blank expression on his face and I thought, “Hmm… He must be high on some MDMA… maybe it’s not a good idea.” I tried to avoid him, but somehow I kept bumping into him on the dance floor.

When we kissed, I noticed it felt different from the other guys I’ve kissed. A lot wetter and less pressure with the tongue. I thought it was the acid. Curiously, through the loud music, I asked: “Are you high?”

He said, “What?” in a voice that sounded slurred.

I yelled, “You sound high!”

He pulled out his phone and typed “I have a disability,” before showing it to me.

“Fuck, now I’m an asshole,” I thought to myself.

Through typing on his phone, I learned his name. I also learned that he has minor cerebral palsy and is majoring in computer science. Despite this being a big surprise, I invited him over to my place. He was just too cute not to invite home, and also I hadn’t had sex in over a month at the time, so I was dying for some action.

After our first night together, he invited me over to his place for dinner. This eventually led to me seeing him weekly. We became friends with benefits at first before officially dating. We just connected on an emotional level. I never met anyone that I could talk to for hours without getting tired. Someone who

I WAS AT PALACE

I didn’t have to try so hard to connect with.

Even though we have conflicting personalities, where I’m the easily anxious and fiery one while he’s the calm and understanding one, he balances me out to where we fit together perfectly.

I’m not going to lie, the first month or two had challenges. I definitely had internalized ableism, which I battled with. Whenever he spoke, I couldn’t fully comprehend what he was saying, which irritated me deep down.

Whenever he walked, cooked, or cleaned, it looked like he was struggling and I recognized that I had internalized feelings of pity and feelings that I needed to help him. To my shame, a small part of me felt embarrassed to be seen with him. I was worried people would think I was taking advantage of him. I constantly had to kick at that deviant thought.

My partner’s disability did impact our sex life. While it was nothing too drastic it was definitely a new experience. Cerebral palsy causes his tongue to have decreased coordination, which means it challenging for him to give oral sex and to French kiss. He also has a slight speech impediment so talking dirty was also a challenge. We worked through these challenges by connecting on an emotional level and being polyamorous; the fact that he is well endowed certainly helped things in this department as well.

Luckily for me, I soon got used to the way he walks and talks to the point where I can understand what he is saying now almost effortlessly and I no longer panic when I see him do certain things on his own. My deepened emotional connection with him overrode those internalized feelings.

We have been together for six months now.

It is my longest relationship so far. Dating someone with a disability put me out of my comfort zone and made it possible for me to unlearn my internalized ableism. I learned that what matter is that we are right for each other, so we work.

Email us at ontarion@uoguelph.ca to book your classified ad before 1 p.m. on Mondays.

WE’RE HIRING

DIRECTOR OF LAYOUT AND DESIGN Responsible for implementing the overall look of the paper by creating weekly page layouts using Adobe InDesign, as well as creating and formatting ads. This position requires excellent attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to manage time wisely.

A successful candidate will have proven skills using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Hours are 30-34 per publishing week.

There are 26 publishing weeks between August 2017-April 2018.

Please apply with a portfolio of at least 6 relevant samples, resume, and cover letter to: The Ontarion EIC Hiring Committee, UC 264, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Email: ontarion@uoguelph.ca

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MARCH 26 AT 11 A.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THEONTARION.COM/JOBS

Only those applicants granted an interview will be contacted. The Ontarion offers a learning environment in student media and considers this in their hiring process. To obtain a copy of The Ontarion’s Employment Equity Policy and/or the Job Description for these positions, please email us at ontarion@uoguelph.ca or visit our website @ www.theontarion.com/jobs. The Ontarion reserves the right to prioritize candidates who currently live in, or who commit to moving into Guelph or the immediate surrounding area, for the duration of their employment.

The Ontarion’s Employment Equity Policy is a proactive measure to recruit qualified people from a variety of ethnic, religious, and class backgrounds, lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgender people, people of colour, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and women. Members of the previously identified groups are encouraged to self-identity.

F U N PAG E

20

THE ONTARION

GET ON TOP OF MARCH

03/29 - 04/05

TO DO LIST March 29 [ir]regular + [ir]rational Painting show by U of G students Opening reception 7 p.m. Boarding House Gallery Arts & Drafts Presented by The English Students’ Society & Kaleidoscope Live music, poetry, visual art 7 p.m. Silence

March 30 Good Friday Prayer Walk 4 Justice; guided group walk 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Raithby porch

M-B Comedy #120: Royal City with Cheese Making-Box brigade sketch revue 7:30 & 10 p.m.

Shopkeeper Ft. AMC Gremlin 9 p.m. The Cornerstone

March 31 Sedge Ft. Social Hysteria, Sixteen Scandals, Softside 9 p.m. DSTRCT

April 1 Easter Sunday Campus Church; Worship and Breakfast 4 Dinner 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. UC442

April 3 Study Cafe Coffee, tea, and snacks provided 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. UC224

spring

APRIL

April 5 DJ Shub CSA Noon Hour Concert 12 p.m. UC Courtyard Guelph Talks: Perspective From space to waste to art 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Summerlee Science Complex

FOLLOW US @theontarion

Student Life presents: The Last Lecture Ft. alumna, faculty, & student speakers 5:45 p.m. War Memorial Hall Book Signing with Lauren Toyota Vegan cookbook author 6 p.m. Science Complex Atrium New issue of The Ontarion on stands

WWW.THEONTARIO N.COM

F U N PAG E

21

THE ONTARION

CROSSWORD 1

For your chance to win TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS, submit a completed crossword to The Ontarion office, UC 264, by APRIL 02, 2018 at 3 P.M.

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Winners are announced in the paper each week and should collect their voucher from The Ontarion office.

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Crossword Winner from 184.10 MERLYN CHRISTOPHER

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Down

1–A Bell for ___

1–Electrically versatile

6–Wind instrument

2–Mend with rows of stitches

11–PC program

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14–Small house

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15–Red fluorescent dye

5–Unity

16–Pasture used for grazing

6–Phobias

17–Hang

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21–Pianist Peter

11–Crazy as ___

23–Gallows loop

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13–Check recipient

26–Apprentice

19–And ___ goes

28–Self-centered person

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30–Movie critic Roger

25– ___ kleine Nachtmusik

31–Marriage announcement

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28–Black, in poetry

33– ___ Haw

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37–Celebration

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44–A brook, perhaps

40–Vent in the earth’s crust

47–Burdened

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48–Light purple

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CL A SS I FI E DS Free Apartment for MANDARIN SPEAKERS! Free apartment for Mandarin speaker in exchange for teaching our young son Mandarin. Includes some child care and light household duties. Your accommodations include: private entrance, private kitchen and living room, private bedroom, private bathroom and shared laundry. Furnished. Utilities included. Families considered. Please email: melanie.blass@gmail.com

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The Ontarion is setting aside space for three free classified ads in each issue. First come, first served. Free classified ads cannot be booked more than a week ahead of the issue they appear in.

NEXT WEEK’S FREEBIES ARE AVAILABLE NOW. The deadline for the next issue of The Ontarion is 1 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2018. Classified Ads have a limit of 90 words and start at $6/30 words. Email ontarion@uoguelph.ca to book yours.

EDITORIAL

22

THE ONTARION

Follow us @theontarion

The cost of mental healthcare versus benefits coverage Local insurance company increases mental health benefits coverage to $5,000 per year M I R A L I A L M AU L A

GUELPH-BASED INSURANCE company The Co-operators recently announced a redesign and restructuring of its employee mental health benefits plan. The story has been in the news because the company’s $4,500 jump in coverage is striking, with this level of coverage being on the higher end for mental health benefits in general.

In addition to the increased coverage, The Co-operators is also “expanding the number of eligible practitioners beyond psychologists and social workers to include family therapists, clinical counsellors, and psychotherapists,” according to a news release from the company.

This increase got me thinking more about my own insurance coverage, which is with The Cooperators, as well as the cost versus coverage of mental healthcare.

While the list of extended benefits in my plan covers 49 items, it is clear from a cursory glance that physical healthcare is broken down into many more categories than mental healthcare.

For example, the physical health benefits covered include:

• • • • • • •

Acupuncturists Chiropractors Massage therapists Naturopaths/homeopaths Osteopaths Physiotherapists Podiatrists/chiropodists Meanwhile, as outlined in the news release, there are currently

The Ontarion Inc.

only two eligible practitioners for mental health with this provider.

What it doesn’t explain is that these two practitioners are actually lumped together into one category: psychologist/social worker. Therefore, if a plan offers $500 per category, as The Co-operators’ old mental health coverage did, then someone would have $500 per year for mental health practitioners versus $3,500 for the seven physical health practitioners listed. This imbalance clearly demonstrates that our society continues to value and acknowledge physical health over mental health.

This distribution of coverage is also problematic because the cost to see a social worker (i.e. a counsellor or therapist) is high. In order for care to be covered, one must see a counselor who has a Master of Social Work (MSW). To see a therapist with the right qualifications can cost twice the amount as seeing someone who is working on their degree (i.e. a clinical intern). The cost of one visit to see a qualified social worker is usually around $100. Therefore, with The Co-operators’ old structure, a person could see a therapist only five times in a year. Let’s just say that my current coverage isn’t quite as good as The Co-operators’ old employee coverage.

Meanwhile, the same amount of coverage to see other healthcare practitioners stretches a lot better over the year. For example, chiropractors cost closer to $50 per visit,

The Co-operators in Guelph stands tall as it increases mental healthcare coverage.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUELPH MERCURY

meaning that $500 would allow for almost a monthly visit.

In contrast, to see a counselor only five times in a year does not seem sufficient to assist someone who is struggling with their mental health. If we think that, in the most serious of cases, it is vital for a person to receive care at least once a week, then the minimum amount of coverage that would be needed is $5,200.

If that seems too high for one category, since not everyone may need that type of care, then companies should look into splitting up care across more categories related to mental health, as The Co-operators did for their own employees.

Alternately, various levels of practitioners should be covered under one’s benefits as well. It seems odd that only the most expensive option is covered if

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Miriam Habib

Accounts: x 53534

Copy Editor

Circulation Director

Jonathan Marun-Batista

Josh Millen

Will Wellington Matteo Cimellaro Karen K. Tran Leslie Thompson Carolynn Whitehouse

Aaron Jacklin Lorrie Taylor Patrick Sutherland Salvador Moran

Open Position Mehkansh Sharma

DIREC TORS

Megan Scarth Alex Lefebvre

you’re going to a proper clinic for care. That’s like going to a restaurant with your family and your parents saying that they’ll only pay for your dinner if you get the lobster with all the fixings.

Gone are the days when people dealing with mental health issues were lumped together and written off as “too delicate,” “too sensitive,” “of weak disposition,” and other such nonsense. It is no wonder why employers and insurance companies have long seen the value of maintaining the bodies of their workers, but it is only recently that they are recognizing the value of maintaining their employees’ minds as well. It is time now for more companies to recognize that value and do right by their employees.

Of course, there is an undeniable link between physical and

CONTRIBUTORS Ghaid Asfour Carleigh Cathcart Leah Chochinov Cat Cooper Tasha Falconer Beren Garvie Matthew Glavin Sydney Grace Alex Harris Odesia Howlett Tia Julien Katie McLean Victoria Rodriguez Morrison Hannah Ruuth Megan Sullivan Natalie Thien Helen Victoria Toner

mental health and, therefore, providing good physical health care coverage will allow people to better their mental health to some degree. Having acknowledged that, I hope to someday see the following: • Some of the nuance present in the physical health benefits’ breakdown applied to mental health coverage.

• An increase in the total amount of mental health coverage available.

• More reasonably priced mental healthcare that allows people to access that care on a more regular basis.

Ultimately, I hope that insura nce compa nies, hea lthc a re practitioners, and businesses will work together to ensure that people actually benefit from their benefits.

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since The Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Ontarion staff and Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2017 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify The Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement.

The Ontarion is printed by Hamilton Web.

#IWriteTheOntarion PHOTO BY MIRALI ALMAULA

• Minutes from campus • Best rates in town • 24 hours access • Drive up units • Short and long term • Heated units available • Secure and convenient • Mobile Storage (pick up available) • Indoor climate controlled available

Carleigh Cathcart FIRST YE AR , DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PROGR AM

Now with 2 locations to serve you better!

56 Kirkby Court & 375 Southgate Dr., Guelph Phone: 519-780-0835

What is your favourite part about writing for The Ontarion?

What are your favourite things about the Guelph community?

Writing for The Ontarion gives me the opportunity to immerse myself in a hobby completely separate from my science-dominated schedule.

I initially fell in love with the small-town feel of Guelph, and the surrounding nature. We also have the best dog park!

W h at i s o n e of yo u r favo u r i te things that you’ve covered for The Ontarion?

Tell us one fun fact about yourself.

Well that’s a hard choice, since I’ve been contributing since 2011! I absolutely love writing for the satirical issues of The Contrarion — they’re a blast!

FOLLOW CARLEIGH @carleigh.cathcart

I have never had a cup of coffee. I’m a busy person, so I’m worried if I start relying on the caffeine, I won’t be able to function without it!

FOLLOW US @ontarion @theontarion @theontarion

We’re celebrating our awesome contributors! Interested in seeing your name in print? Come to our volunteer meetings on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (UC264). If you can’t make it, just drop by the office or email Mirali at oneditor@uoguelph.ca for more info!

WE’RE HIRING

DIRECTOR OF LAYOUT AND DESIGN Responsible for implementing the overall look of the paper by creating weekly page layouts using Adobe InDesign, as well as creating and formatting ads. This position requires excellent attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to manage time wisely.

A successful candidate will have proven skills using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Hours are 30-34 per publishing week. There are 26 publishing weeks between August 2017-April 2018.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THEONTARION.COM/JOBS

Please apply with a portfolio of at least 6 writing samples, resume and cover letter to: The Ontarion EIC Hiring Committee, UC 264, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Email: ontarion@uoguelph.ca

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MONDAY, APRIL 2 AT 11 A.M. Only those applicants granted an interview will be contacted. The Ontarion offers a learning environment in student media and considers this in their hiring process. To obtain a copy of The Ontarion’s Employment Equity Policy and/or the Job Description for these positions, please email us at ontarion@uoguelph.ca or visit our website @ www.theontarion.com/jobs.

The Ontarion reserves the right to prioritize candidates who currently live in, or who commit to moving into Guelph or the immediate surrounding area, for the duration of their employment.

The Ontarion’s Employment Equity Policy is a proactive measure to recruit qualified people from a variety of ethnic, religious, and class backgrounds, lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgender people, people of colour, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and women. Members of the previously identified groups are encouraged to self-identity.