Covid-19 has been challenging for everyone to cope and deal with this year. Many Canadians have experienced an overwhelming amount of stress related to financial stability, illness as well as personal well-being. Due to the pandemic affecting courses to be online, and increased workload, it has affected university students' mental health. The students of Lakehead University are asking to extend winter break as we believe it will be beneficial to our mental health and will ensure a proper isolation time period for students to follow. Other institutions in Ontario have extended the winter break for many other students such as Laurentian, Brock, McMaster, U of T, Guelph, Western, Trent, Ryerson, and Laurier. These challenges have been extremely difficult for students to cope with and maintain a positive attitude towards school as we have worked tirelessly to achieve success in our courses. 

The current time period for winter break is December 22nd, 2020 to January 3rd, 2021. Extending the winter break to January 11th gives students the opportunity to relax and live in the moment with family for the holidays. Some students have been unable to see their families for months in regards to covid-19. Students would be extremely grateful if we were given the opportunity of having extended family time and a chance to put the computer away. December will be a difficult month for students with the worry of exams, possible locks downs, and holiday preparations. Extending the winter break will allow students to properly isolate themselves before going back to school. 

Lakehead states on their website that they’re working with the Thunder Bay Public Health Unit as well as the Simcoe-Muskoka Health Unit to follow policies and guidelines in relation to covid. Due to a mandatory two week isolation period, they expect students with in-person learning to be back in Thunder Bay by the 26th of December. With Lakehead’s current guidelines, students who have family living outside of Northwestern Ontario will not have the opportunity to return home for the holidays. The students are asking Lakehead University to extend the break as we believe students deserve the opportunity to have a break for mental health and to visit family safely during these troubling times.