Looking forward to Thrive 2023

We are thrilled to be planning for Thrive 2023.

Thrive is UBC's month-long campaign taking place throughout November where we come together as a UBC community to promote mental health and create a healthy campus for all. Supporting the mental health of students, faculty, and staff is a priority for the university, and Thrive allows us to connect with each other to learn about and enhance mental health literacy.

Thrive is part of our ongoing commitment to Mental Health and Resilience, which is one of the six priority areas identified in the Wellbeing Strategic Framework. By participating in Thrive, you can actively contribute to this important cause and make a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of our UBC community.

We have only just begin enjoying the Summer, but isn’t too early to think Thrive. Here are three ways to get involved in Thrive:

Host a Thrive Event

Consider organizing an event that promotes mental health and wellbeing. You have the opportunity to create a safe space for conversations about mental health, share valuable resources, and foster connections within our community. Here are some past events hosted by our fellow faculty and staff, for some early inspiration. 

• Indigenous Plants and Medicines: A workshop that offered a space to support good mental health and wellbeing, while connecting Indigenous students, staff, and faculty. Participants had the chance to explore mental health, UBC and community resources, and engage in activities promoting movement, nutrition, and community building.
• Meditation and Lunch: A 20-minute meditation session followed by a healthy lunch, where participants learned about the significance of mental health in their lives and the impact of nourishing food on overall wellbeing. This event fostered relaxation, mindfulness, and nourishment for both the mind and body.
• The ABCs of Mental Health: An event that used each letter of the alphabet to represent a different activity focusing on mental health. From enjoying apple pie as a reminder to treat oneself to engaging in team bonding through adult colouring, this event emphasized self-care, knowledge sharing, and creativity.
• Tuning In: A Sound & Nature Walk. organize a one-hour Sound & Nature Walk on the UBCV campus for library employees; encouraging them to move and tune into nature at their own pace and listen together in a socially distanced way. Participants had the option to create a sound recording and to share it afterwards by uploading it.

Promote Thrive to the Campus Community

Help spread the word about Thrive and encourage participation across the campus. Share information about the campaign through various channels, such as email, social media, or departmental newsletters.

Participate in the Not Myself Today program

Sign up to Not Myself Today, a workplace wellbeing program designed to promote mental health and reduce stigma in the workplace. Not Myself Today ambassadors get access to activities, resources, and discussions  — curated by the Canadian Mental Health Association — to raise awareness about mental health and create a supportive workplace environment where everyone has the chance to Thrive all year-long .

Have your own ideas, suggestions or maybe some questions? Reach out to Truelove Twumasi-Afriyie to start discussing Thrive 2023.

Get started early

To get further inspiration and learn more about Thrive events held annually during November, visit thrive.ubc.ca. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the mental health resources available to UBC faculty and staff, which offer a wide range of tools and strategies to support your mental health journey.