Thrive Month - Learning to Thrive

November is Thrive month at UBC. Thrive is a time when we come together as a UBC community to learn about, talk about, and explore ways to support our mental health. Thrive is for everyone—we all have mental health—and while it might look and feel different for each of us, we all benefit from maintaining and fostering it.   

Maintaining our mental health is a journey that has its up and downs. The last few years have highlighted the importance of nurturing my mental health and wellbeing, especially in light of many structural and systemic barriers and current global circumstances. These have added complexities to supporting mental health, both for the individual and at a systems level. 

Fostering mental health is a daily and year-round pursuit. Thrive is a mindset, it’s not necessarily about saying that we should thrive or flourish at all times, instead it's being able to gain the skills and resources to cope and bounce back from life’s ups and downs, for ourselves and others. 

Research shows that there are five ways that promote and support mental health. These are the Thrive 5: moving more, sleeping soundly, eating well, giving back, and saying hi. The articles this month and Thrive events provide an opportunity to learn about and explore ways that we can support our mental health.  

This November, I encourage you to use the Thrive 5+ to explore and learn how to Thrive.  

Here are a few ways you can participate in Thrive this year:  

• Host or promote a Thrive event: play a role during Thrive by hosting or promoting an in-person or virtual event/activity supporting mental health literacy through the Thrive 5. The deadline to register as an event partner is October 30, 2021. 
• Participate in a Thrive event: with a combination of online and in-person events this year, there are all kinds of ways to participate! Visit the 2021 Thrive calendar here. 
• Register your workplace for Not Myself Today, a free online evidence-based platform that provides mental health resources and tools for faculty and staff to reduce stigma, create safe spaces, and build awareness. 
• Build your mental health literacy with a workshop or training from Workplace Health, Wellbeing and Benefits 
• Check in with your colleagues (and yourself). Learn to recognize the signs something might not be right, and know the resources that are available.   
• Practice self-care: prioritize your mental health by taking time to move your body between classes or meetings, taking breaks, and getting the rest you need. 

If you’re looking for helpful ideas, check out the Thrive Calendar for a variety of engaging events, activities and experiences happening throughout the month.  

Stay safe and well,  

Truelove Twumasi-Afriyie
Workplace Wellbeing Programs Specialist