Hybrid work has many benefits but it can also present challenges that can affect your mental health.
It is important to be proactive and take action to support your mental health and resilience. There are many things you can do to make your mental health a priority — start by familiarizing yourself with the information and resources below.
Professional support for your mental health
Faculty and staff at UBC can access benefits for counselling in two ways:
- Book an appointment with a registered clinical counsellor or psychologist in your area and use your extended health benefits to cover 100% of the reasonable and customary costs up to $3,000 per calendar year.
- Call the Employee and Family Assistance Program at 1-866-424-0770 or visit www.worklifehealth.com. Please note that this program is intended focused on short-term support, and there may be a wait time based on your availability.
Visit the Assisting Staff and Faculty in Distress webpage for a list of UBC and community resources that are accessible by phone or online.
Visit UBC's comprehensive staff and faculty mental health resources, including information for remote workers.
Tips to maintain your mental health while working remotely
- Create and maintain a regular schedule and work routine: experiment with and identify practices that support your productivity and wellbeing while working. Take your entitled breaks by blocking time off in your calendar, and Include breaks that involve time away from screens. Take a look at our Thriving While Working from Home article for more tips.
- Find time to move in your day: ensure you take movement breaks. Try walking during phone meetings. Take time to stand up or stretch to avoid sitting in the same position for long periods. In short, find ways to stay active. Visit the UBC Recreation Get Moving page for great resources to get you started.
- Stay connected: working remotely requires intentional and planned communication in order to prevent isolation. Identify different channels available for communicating with your supervisor and colleagues and be sure to use them regularly.
- Support your social wellbeing: reach out and schedule time to informally connect with colleagues. Create space at the start or end of meetings for conversation. Attend virtual community events.
- Create boundaries between remote work and life: have a designated space for remote work. Consider including your work hours in your email signature. Block off non-working hours. Leave work-related equipment and materials in their designated space.
On-demand learning
Access UBC’s Linkedin Learning remote work playlist, specifically curated to support faculty and staff in building wellbeing and resiliency skills as well as healthy and inclusive practices. Discover strategies and tools to enhance overall mental health and wellbeing, boost social intelligence, and support inclusive workplaces.
Learn more
- Learn about mental health in this short video: What is Mental Health?
- Explore ways you can talk about your mental health.
- Take a Mental Health Self-Check using the Mental Health Continuum Model from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.