QPR Training is an internationally recognized suicide intervention program designed to help you question, persuade and refer. QPR acts as an emergency mental health intervention designed to save lives, much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention. Learn to recognize suicide warning signs, how to approach someone who may be at risk, persuade the person to seek appropriate health services, and connect the person to resources that will help resolve crises. Find out more and register now.
If your department is looking for more efficient response and support with regards to ergonomic issues for staff, consider taking the three-hour Ergo Rep Training. Learn about basic ergonomic risk factors and assessments, proper computer workstation set-up, and resources to take back to your unit. Find out more and register now.
Join Home-to-Home, a seniors’ advisory and assistance business, for a one-hour session on eldercare planning and management. Learn how to develop eldercare plans related to housing, avoid crisis situations, access resources, budget, understand legal considerations, and gain a greater awareness of the eldercare options and resources available to you and your loved ones. Find out more and register now.
Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation with a practical session, giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse, and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Find out more and register now.
This workshop will provide important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available for the workplace. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option may be most suitable. Product samples will be available for participants to try in order to understand how the different models impact physical positioning and workflow. Find out more and register now.
The UBC Workplace Ergonomics Program has equipment available for testing, including chairs. If you are looking to purchase a new chair and want to test out some options, book an appointment with the ergo team to learn more, including how to adjust the chairs properly and purchasing options. (Please note that these sessions provide information and do not make recommendations on purchasing decisions. This Ergo Chair Fit Program is intended to support your conversations with employees about ergonomics and their workplace health.) Learn more and register for a session now.
This free, innovative, evidence-based training is for all UBC staff and faculty looking to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace and in their everyday lives. Content is delivered online via any device, and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives. After just 10 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days, participants will be healthier, more productive and better able to problem-solve and work in a team. Learn more and register for the challenge now.
Are you interested in an experiential leadership opportunity? The UBC Community Leadership Program (CLP) is an opportunity for emerging leaders to explore what leadership means to them by enhancing leadership skills, partnering with UBC student leaders, and giving back to community organizations. Staff from all employee groups, as well as graduate students, are welcome to apply for this program. Applications are now open for the 2019-20 cohort and will be accepted until June 14, 2019. Find out more.
The Staff Pension Plan (SPP) Pension Fair is a great opportunity for members to learn more about the SPP and gain some pension knowledge. Similar to past years, there will be information tables hosted by UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits, UBC Investment Management Trust, UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program, and more. Drop in any time; no registration required. Find out more at www.staff.pensions.ubc.ca/pensionfair.
Photo Credit: UBC Thrive, Student Communications
Many of us connect with people on a daily basis – whether at work, school, home or the various points in-between. Some of these connections can develop into relationships, and it’s these important relationships that can both sustain and drain us. In this month’s Benefits Spotlight, let’s look at the wide range of support services available through UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
Jordan recently joined a new department at UBC and has moved from working in a closed office to a large, shared workspace. He works on very detailed projects that often requires concentration and quiet. Since moving to the new space, he has experienced some challenges in getting his work done on time. Jordan wants to take action, but isn’t sure how to approach his new colleagues or supervisor about this. Jordan doesn’t want to be seen as a problem employee or ungrateful for the new opportunity, but he’s becoming increasingly anxious about his workload.
How EFAP can help:
UBC’s EFAP provider, Morneau Shepell, offers support to resolve any work or life challenges. Their aim is to help employees like Jordan lead a healthy, happy and productive life. From learning how to resolve workplace conflicts to communicating more effectively with colleagues, EFAP is available 24/7 to provide immediate and confidential support. Morneau Shepell delivers support services in a number of ways, including in-person, over the phone and through the web. Choose the format that works best for you. To book services or to learn which service is right for you, call the Shepell Care Access Centre at 1-800-387-4765 or visit www.worklifehealth.com.
Ali has been told by her family doctor that she has high blood pressure. In addition to medical treatment, she has been advised to live a more active lifestyle and make minor dietary changes in an effort to manage her weight. Ali is uncertain how to safely integrate the right level of fitness activity into her already busy schedule. As well, while Ali has been considering going vegetarian or at least adding some vegetarian meals to her diet, she feels overwhelmed and unsure of how and where to start.
How EFAP can help:
Did you know that you can access EFAP for physical health and wellbeing support? If your story is similar to Ali’s, contact Morneau Shepell for health coaching. You’ll receive support with physical health issues and risk reduction plans. Naturopathic services are also available to those looking for holistic care and advice. If you prefer to take your own initiative, visit the www.workhealthlife.com website to access a wide range of self-directed resources, including helpful articles on health and wellbeing, career and workplace, legalities and finances, life events and more. (Note: Please enter “University of British Columbia” as your organization)
Sidney is exhausted. Between caring for two young children, managing a service team of 12 at work, and looking after an ailing mother, Sidney has no time for themselves and feels stressed all the time. Eldercare duties are becoming increasingly difficult as their mother is showing early signs of dementia and has fallen twice this month. Sidney is beginning to wonder if it might be time to explore long-term care facilities, or at the very least, some additional support. Sidney struggles with feelings of guilt surrounding this decision and has no clue where to start or who to turn to for support.
How EFAP can help:
At the heart of Morneau Shepell is their professional, confidential counselling services. They recognize that with our aging population, more and more people like Sidney will require support for their eldercare relationships. For professional individual, family or couples counselling related to your particular relationships or dynamics, contact the Shepell Care Access Centre at 1-800-387-4765 or visit www.worklifehealth.com.
Join Home-to-Home, a seniors’ advisory and assistance business, for a one-hour session on eldercare planning and management. Learn how to develop eldercare plans related to housing, avoid crisis situations, access resources, budget, understand legal considerations, and gain a greater awareness of the eldercare options and resources available to you and your loved ones. Find out more and register now.
Part 1: Self-Care 101 | May 17 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
This session will focus on increasing mental health literacy through self-care. You will learn about the body’s stress response and how to identify these responses in yourself, how to assess your stress levels, explore the meaning of personal self-care, and discover the many resources available for UBC staff and faculty. Find out more and register now.
Part 2: Bouncing Forward, Building Resilience | May 30 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
As we face the constant flux of change and complex challenges, it’s important to look at how we build our personal resilience. Resilience is foundational to the prevention of stress and to increase our capacity to cope with and recover from adverse events. This interactive session will provide an opportunity to talk about the current state of employee mental health in Canada, explore the core components of resilience, and share evidence-based strategies and resources for building resilience. Find out more and register now.
Part 3: Workplace Wellbeing | June 12 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
For us to succeed at work, we need to understand how we can be our best selves, and that includes understanding how we can focus on our wellbeing at work. Join us to learn what UBC is doing to support workplace wellbeing, and how you can tap into existing resources and community networks to build a supportive workplace environment.
This session will explore the strategies, tools and resources available to support your individual wellbeing as an employee and will explore how workplace wellbeing can be enhanced through our everyday interactions, practices and operations. Find out more and register now.
This workshop will provide important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available for the workplace. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option may be most suitable. Product samples will be available for participants to try in order to understand how the different models impact physical positioning and workflow. Find out more and register now.
Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation with a practical session, giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Find out more and register now.
QPR Training is an internationally recognized suicide prevention program designed to help you question, persuade and refer individuals in crisis. QPR is an emergency mental health intervention designed to save lives, much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention. Learn to recognize suicide warning signs, how to approach someone who may be at risk, persuade the person to seek appropriate health services, and connect the person to resources that will help them resolve crises. Find out more and register now.
The Pick Your Peak Stair Challenge is a fun and inclusive way to encourage staff and faculty to take the stairs. Stair climbing is a great way to boost cardiovascular health, build muscle and strengthen the core. All abilities are welcome to participate. Find out more and register a team or individual now.
The prospect of talking to your children about sex and sexual health can be a difficult one – but these conversations do not need to be feared or avoided. Why not arm yourself with knowledge, age-appropriate information and fantastic resources? Learn how to speak to your children about comprehensive body science and sexual health information. You will also take away a helpful formula for answering questions and discover some fantastic resources for both parents and children of any age. Help provide your children with the tools to keep themselves safe and to make healthy and informed decisions. Find out more and register now.
Conflict is a common part of life and is a natural result of people having different points of view, values and beliefs. When left unaddressed, workplace conflict can lead to challenges, but when well managed, conflict can enhance your relationships, deepen your understanding of yourself and others, and stimulate change and growth. This workshop will provide participants with a framework for assessing the types of conflict common in the workplace and propose strategies for their resolution. Find out more and register now.
Join Home-to-Home, a seniors advisory and assistance business, in this one-hour session on eldercare planning and management. Learn how to develop eldercare plans related to housing, avoid crisis situations, access resources, budget, understand legal considerations, and gain a greater awareness of eldercare options and resources. Find out more and register now.
In the workplace, unresolved conflict can negatively impact the individuals involved, other team members and the organization as a whole by affecting productivity and morale. The approach you take to managing conflict determines whether stress or opportunities for growth will be created. This workshop examines various types of conflict and will provide you with a model for successfully resolving conflict at work. Find out more and register now.
Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation and a practical session, giving you hands-on experience in adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Find out more and register now.
Mental Health First Aid, a two-day in-person workshop, aims to improve mental health literacy by providing participants with 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 to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, be able to provide initial support to a person who may be developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a crisis, and be prepared to guide a person towards professional help. Find out more and register now.
Coming up in June…
Planning a vacation in Canada or abroad? This information session will be useful for anyone wanting to know more about UBC’s travel benefits and how to be prepared in a medical emergency. Join UBC Benefits Specialist Stephanie Mah for a one-hour session to deepen your understanding of your travel benefits and ensure that your well-earned vacation is as stress-free as possible. Find out more and register now.
UBC’s Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team has a great line up of free activities and events coming your way this summer. Sign up today for programs including Office Stretches & Workouts, Celiac Disease & Gluten-free, Learn to Meditate Three-Part Series, Not Myself Today, Ergo Your Office, Eldercare and plenty more!
Are you thinking about going gluten-free? Is going gluten-free actually healthier for you? This workshop will focus on the myths and truths of the gluten-free diet, and delve into celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
The facilitators of the session are Val Vaartnou, President of the Canadian Celiac Association (Vancouver Chapter) and Nicole Fetterly, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition & Wellness Manager in UBC Student Housing and Hospitality Services. All staff and faculty are welcome to attend.
For more information and to register, click here.
The three-part Learn to Meditate series is back by popular demand for summer 2016! Wendy Quan will provide an introduction and basic concepts of meditation and mindfulness techniques. This three-session course, tuned for the working environment, is designed for those both new and experienced in the world of mindfulness meditation.
For $35, you can learn to cultivate personal resilience, learn techniques to reduce and manage stress, and gain confidence to practice meditation and mindfulness. For more information and to register, click here.
Not Myself Today is a campaign focusing on helping workplaces achieve better understanding of mental health and reduce stigma. As part of Thrive 2016, the Not Myself Today campaign will be implemented within numerous departments for the second year. UBC departments can easily take part in the campaign during Thrive week (Oct 31 – Nov 4) using tools and resources to educate their staff and faculty.
Join us to learn about the campaign and how your department can get involved, discover support tools and resources, and learn about mental health. For more information and to register, click here.
Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation and a practical session, giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures. For more information and to register, click here.
Join Home-to-Home, a seniors advisory and assistance business, in this one-hour session on eldercare planning and management. Participants will learn how to develop eldercare plans related to housing, how to avoid crisis situations, access resources, budgeting, legal considerations, and gain a greater awareness of eldercare options and resources. For more information and to register, click here.
UBC’s Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team has a great line up of FREE activities and events coming up in June. Sign up today for topics including a 3-Part Summer Career Series, Eldercare 101, Ergo Your Office training, Learn to Meditate, UBC Benefits information, breast cancer risk assessments and more!
Benefits Q&A with Shepell-UBCs New EFAP Provider: June 11, 2015 @ 12-1pm
Take this opportunity to meet our new EFAP provider, Shepell, and learn about how to access the new range of services for UBC staff and their enrolled dependents. Find out about:
Shepell will also be available to answer any questions you may have. For more information, or to register, click here.
Office Ergo Rep Training: June 16, 2015 @ 1-4pm
UBC Ergonomics strives to have an Office Ergonomics Representative for each department. We provide the training (one three-hour session) and material required for reps to promote, educate and ensure musculoskeletal health for employees in their departments. Office Ergo Reps are trained by UBC Ergonomics Advisor Abigail Overduin in simple computer workstation set-up, how to notice signs and symptoms of injuries from poor ergonomic set-up, and to control strategies to reduce or prevent symptoms. For more information, or to register, click here.
Healthy UBC Summer Career Series: June 18, July 16 & August 20, 2015 @12-1pm
Join UBC’s Career Navigation & Transition Consultant Pooja Khandelwal in this three-part series to help UBC employees navigate possible career opportunities and create a personalized career development plan. These sessions will provide you with access to thought-provoking questions, links to resources, tools, and web sites within UBC that may support you in your career planning process. For more information click here
Breast Cancer Prevention & Risk Assessment Clinic: June 23, 2015@ 12-1pm
Join Breast Cancer Prevention Lifestyle Counselor Bonnie McCoy in this Breast Cancer Prevention & Risk Assessment session with information about how to modify and decrease breast cancer risk via lifestyle changes. For more information, or to register, click here.
Ergo Your Workspace: June 24, 2015 @12-1pm
Join UBC Ergonomics Advisor Abigail Overduin in this one-hour tutorial combining a presentation and a practical session giving you the skills to optimize your office environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. For more information, or to register, click here
Elder Care 101 (*Brought back due to popular demand*)– What You Need to Know to Care for Your Aging Parents: June 25, 2015 @ 12-1pm
Whether caring for aging parents in the home, or managing elder care plans from a distance, most of us don’t know where to go for reliable answers. Join Home-to Home, seniors advisory and assistance business based in Vancouver, in this one-hour session to learn how to develop an elder care roadmap to plan for your parents’ housing and care needs as they age, and much more. For more information, or to register, click here.
Understanding Your Travel Benefits : June 30, 2015 @ 12-1pm
The summer is nearly here and lots of us and getting ready for vacations both at home and abroad. A medical emergency while travelling can be a frightening and costly experience. Join UBC Benefits Analyst Stephanie Mah in this one-hour session on Understanding your Sun Life Travel benefits and ensure that your well-earned break is as stress free as possible. This session will also include a Q & A, so feel free to come with questions. For more information or to register, click here.
Learn to Meditate Program: July 13, 20, 27, Aug 10, 2015 @ 12-1pm – ($35/person)
This four-session series is designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners of mindfulness meditation. It will introduce participants to the basic concepts of meditation and mindfulness techniques and is specifically tuned to the working environment. Sessions will include instruction, discussion, guided meditation and visualization in a non-religious context. Participants will be provided with handouts, homework practice, and follow up emails and access to downloadable recordings. Cost: $35, payable by cash, JV to KPGK, or by cheque to UBC Human Resources. Payment must be received before registration is confirmed. Click here for more information.
This month, UBC’s Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team has a great line up of sessions focused on a wide variety of topics that include stress management, elder care, workstation ergonomics, meditation training and more. Join us and take a few moments to build new skills, boost your health and to reflect on how you face the day. (Courses are at the Point Grey campus unless otherwise indicated)
Mindfulness Meditation Facilitator Training – Sept. 22, 2014 @ 3-5pm
This two-hour session is designed to prepare participants with a foundation in mindfulness so they are equipped to facilitate ongoing mindful meditation practice sessions in their units. Such facilitation can range from settling a group in and listening to a recording to conducting guided meditations. Participants will be provided with best practices, printed meditation scripts, and audio recordings.
Participation pre-requisite: To ensure a proper foundation in the content and course material, all facilitator training participants must have completed at least one of the following:
Click here for information and to register
Elder Care 101 – What You Need to Know to Care for Your Aging Parents – Sept. 23, 2014 @ 12-1pm
Whether caring for aging parents in the home, or managing elder care plans from a distance, most of us don’t know where to go for reliable answers. Join Home-to Home, a seniors advisory and assistance business based in Vancouver, in this one-hour session to learn how to develop an elder care roadmap to plan for your parents’ housing and care needs as they age, and much more. For more information or to register, click here.
Upcoming Office Ergo Rep Training: Sept. 24, 2014 @ 1-4pm
UBC Ergonomics strives to have an Office Ergonomics Representative for each department. We provide the training (one three-hour session) and material required for reps to promote, educate and ensure musculoskeletal health for employees in their departments. Office Ergo Reps are trained by the Ergonomics Coordinator in simple computer workstation set-up, how to notice signs and symptoms of injuries from poor ergonomic set-up, and to control strategies to reduce or prevent symptoms. Register Online Here. Session will be held on the sixth floor of TEF3 (6190 Agronomy Rd)
Stress Busting Series: The Day-to-Day – Sept. 25, 2014 @ 12-1pm
Part 1 of Healthy UBC’s Fall Stress-Busting series with Dr. Thara Vayali. Stress is a loaded word, and decreasing stress can feel like an insurmountable task. In this session learn how to:
Leave with three simple and attainable suggestions for how to clear out unnecessary stressors, and shift the nervous system’s response to inevitable stressors. Click here for information and to register.
Computer Workstation Set-up Tutorials – Sept. 25, 2014 @ 12-1pm
UBC Ergonomics offers free computer workstation set-up tutorials on the last Thursday of every month. These one-hour tutorials combine a presentation with a practical session giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. Learn how to optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures. Training is located on the sixth floor of TEF3 (6190 Agronomy Rd). Register online for these sessions now.
Power Walking – Every Monday and Wednesday
Take a time-out from work for your mental and physical health! Join your campus colleagues for a lunch-hour walk on Mondays and Wednesdays. Monday’s group meets out front of the UBC Bookstore at 12:10 p.m., while Wednesday’s group meets at 12:10 p.m. outside the TEF3 building on Agronomy Road – location here. All abilities welcome. For more information and to register click here.