Supporting wellbeing as we begin a new academic year

The Mental Health Continuum and Orange Folder support UBC's commitment to Nurture a Strong and Vibrant UBC Community by strengthening your own wellbeing practices or building your team's confidence in responding to mental health concerns.  

The Mental Health Continuum is a self-assessment tool that helps individuals reflect on their current mental wellbeing, recognize signs of stress, and identify strategies that can help them thrive.  

There is also a version specifically for Managers and Leaders, which was designed to provide guidance in identifying declining mental health among your team members and offering support.  

These complementary Mental Health Continuum tools empower individuals and leaders to proactively support mental wellbeing. By providing a simple framework to recognize changes in mental health, identify appropriate supports, and take early action, they help foster psychological health and safety at work. 

The Orange Folder provides practical guidance for supporting a colleague who may be experiencing distress, including how to recognize signs of concern, have supportive conversations, and connect individuals with appropriate resources.  

There are two different formats of the Orange Folder for you to consult when helping a colleague in distress.  

• The two-pager provides a quick overview of emergency response information and resources that you can use to respond immediately to a mental health crisis.  

• The comprehensive version expands on additional resources, provides advice for how to respond with care, and guidance on the processes and resources to ensure continued support and aftercare for a colleague experiencing a mental health crisis.  

The Orange Folder resources help foster a caring and supportive workplace by providing clear guidance on how to assist a colleague in distress

These tools can increase your competency in supporting mental health within workplaces across our campus community. It helps to know what resources and tools are available to you at the start of the year so you are prepared in the event that you or a colleague needs them.  

Booking a Mental Health Resources Presentation is a proactive way to help your team become more familiar with UBC's mental health supports, build confidence in accessing and sharing resources, and be better prepared to support themselves and others when challenges arise. If your team, department, or unit would like to learn more, book the Mental Health Resources Presentation by emailing hr.healthwellbeing@ubc.ca