Mount Royal University pledges to support Alberta’s Recovery on Campus movement

Phil Warsaba, vice-president of students at MRU, and Dr. Victoria Burns, associate professor at the University of Calgary and director of the UCalgary Recovery Community, sign the Recovery Friendly Campus Pledge on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (MRU)

Mount Royal University is among a growing list of Alberta post secondary institutions promising to help those working to overcome addiction.

Officials with the Calgary university took the Recovery Friendly Campus Pledge on Tuesday, symbolizing their commitment to Alberta’s Recovery on Campus (ROC) movement.

Spearheaded by several of Alberta’s post-secondaries, ROC is a provincially funded initiative that supports students, faculty and staff in recovery from substance use.

The pledge signifies MRU’s dedication to making the facility a supportive, understanding and stigma-free environment for those working on their personal recovery journeys.

“(Recovery on Campus) typically focuses on creating spaces and programs where those in recovery can connect with others who share similar experiences, reducing the isolation that can often accompany recovery,” explained a news release from MRU.

“By offering a range of resources, the program encourages students and employees to prioritize their mental health and well-being.”

Ian Lyon, an MRU social work student with eight years in recovery, says peer support is an important part of recovery. “From what we know about recovery, the best chances of success come from a holistic approach. Supports that assist an individual in their medical, mental, physical, and social needs,” he said.

MRU student Laura Simbirski has signed up to be a ROC student ambassador.“It is important to me as someone with personal experience to be able to pass my knowledge, empathy and experience along to other people,” she said.

“With access to the proper resources, compassion and community, we can collectively heal. As a result of that we as individuals, and as a community have the tools required to reach our goals and accomplish extraordinary things.”

Other Calgary ROC members include the Alberta University of the Arts, Ambrose University, Bow Valley College, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and University of Calgary.

MRU has been a member of ROC since 2023.