UBC Receives Award for Focus on Workplace Mental Health

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Dear Community of Practice Members,

The end of the semester can be a stressful time for students, faculty and staff. We hope that you practice good self-care during this busy time and find chances to reflect on how you can cultivate wellness in your life and on your campuses during the summer months. View our December newsletter for some practical tips on managing stress.

National Mental Health Week is the perfect opportunity to take action on mental wellness and #GETLOUD to dispel the stigma surrounding mental illness. In this newsletter, you will find resources and information connecting you to the national conversation on mental health.

Overview

National Mental Health Week
Campus Spotlight: UBC
Mental Health Training Programs
Featured Stories in the News
Farewell to Robin Higgins

National Mental Health Week

The Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Mental Health Week is an annual national event that takes place from May 2-8, 2016 and encourages people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. This year, CMHA is encouraging everyone to #getloud about mental health.

You can #GETLOUD about mental health by:

wearing the colour green or a green ribbon to show your support
joining the conversation on social media using the #GETLOUD hashtag
talking to a friend or family member about mental health
joining events that are happening in your local community

For more information on National Mental Health Week and a list of events, visit the CMHA website and view the resources below.

CMHA's Mental Health Week Toolkit

This toolkit will help you GET LOUD for mental health. Use what you need. Share it with friends and colleagues. This yearâ€™s toolkit includes:

Tools for Advocates
10 suggested ways to GET LOUD for Mental Health
Social Media and Web Components
Sample Facebook and Twitter Posts and Covers
Shareable Images
Fact Sheets and Posters

Download the Toolkit >>>

#GETLOUD for Mental Health Week 2016 Video

This video was created in celebration of National Mental Health Week 2016. GET LOUD to maintain positive mental health. GET LOUD to get it back. Because the louder we all get, the bigger the difference we will make. And thereâ€™s a lot of difference to be made.

Watch the Video >>>

Campus Spotlight: The University of British Columbia

UBC Receives Clarence M. Hincks Award

The Canadian Mental Health Association has recognized the University of British Columbia for their attention to workplace mental health. The award was given at the annual Bottom Line Conference, CMHAâ€™s national workplace mental health conference.

"UBC provides a number of mental health initiatives for students, staff,and faculty, including Thrive Week, which encourages mental well-being through dialogue, awareness, healthy choices, social support and normalizing mental health challenges.

Last year, Thrive reached more than 35,000 faculty, staff and students. Reception has been exceptional, as 66 per cent of faculty and staff believe that Thrive promotes a positive campus environment and 73 per cent feel that they have a better understanding of positive mental health as a result of participating in the program. Perhaps most telling, in 2015 10 universities followed UBCâ€™s lead and held Thrive events of their own.â€

Read the full article here >>>

Mental Health Training Programs

Living Life to the Full Course

Living Life to the Full is a course that teaches youth and adults skills to cope with lifeâ€™s challenges. The course empowers people to be better able to:

Deal with negative thinking
Do simple things to feel happier and healthier
Work through problems in their lives
Work on unhelpful behaviours
Deal better with feelings of anger
Plan activities to boost how they feel

Learn more and find a course >>>

Understanding Addiction Course

Understanding Addiction is a unique online training program for those who work directly or indirectly with people who face challenges with addiction. This course is offered by Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division and is designed to increase knowledge, enhance self-awareness and strengthen skills.

The next learning cohort starts May 15th, 2016.

Learn more and register >>>

Mental Health First Aid Course

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course offers skills to provide help to people developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

The MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

Learn more and find a course >>>

Featured Stories in the News

Trudeau Gets Loud for National Mental Health Week

Canadaâ€™s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released a statement regarding National Mental Health Week, inviting all Canadians to hold open discussions about mental health and dispel the stigma surrounding the topic.

Read the full article >>>

Sexual Misconduct Policy Soon a Legislated Reality on BC Campuses

Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson is tabling a bill which will make it mandatory for post-secondary institutions to develop policies to prevent and respond to sexual violence and sexual misconduct on campus.

Read the full article >>>

Kelowna MLA Gives Shout-out to CCSU Project

In an article in the Kelowna Daily Courier, MLA Norm Letnick situates Changing the Culture of Substance Use Project among other public health initiatives in the province which are making a difference in encouraging healthier relationships with substances.

Read the full article >>>

Indigenization Resources to be Developed for Campuses

BCcampus, on behalf of the Ministry of Advanced Education, will soon be facilitating the Indigenization of Curriculum and Cultural Awareness training project (ICCAT) for post-secondary institutions across British Columbia. The project will develop educational resources for faculty and staff at all post-secondary institutions.

Read the full article >>>

Farewell to Robin Higgins

As you may have already heard, long-time community member Robin Higgins is soon off on a new life adventure. Robin has accepted an exciting position at the University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan starting in early June.

Please join us in recognizing Robin's contributions to our community of practice over the years and reflecting on our growth as a community over the last decade.

When? Tuesday May 10th at 2:00pm PST

Please RSVP by registering here >>>