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wellbeing

Thriving Campus: Featuring Sandra Girard

Thriving Campus: Featuring Sandra Girard

By Miranda Massie on February 4, 2015

This month features Sandra Girard, Manger of Board Relations & Executive Director in the AVP office at Alumni UBC. 

Thriving Campus features, testimonials, contributions and personal experiences from UBC staff, faculty and students.

What strategies do you use in your work life to help you thrive?

First off – take a look around at our work environment here at UBC. How many people have the opportunity to take a walk down to the beach or run through the forest trail during their lunch hour? Whether it’s a short walk around campus or a hike down to the beach, I get outdoors several times a week to enjoy both the scenery and get a breath of fresh air. While there is always one more e-mail awaiting a response, I make a conscious effort to remove myself from my desk at lunch.

Having the support of other colleagues to motivate one another by saying “hey, get your runners, let’s go” makes it easy to step out of the office and take some time for yourself.  I also NEVER eat my lunch at my desk. Even if I only have 10 minutes for lunch that day, I eat my lunch anywhere but at my desk.  Setting up automated systems and routines are important. If I had to stop and think about drinking water, taking vitamins, going for a walk or having a healthy snack, I would be completely overwhelmed. I bought myself a nice water decanter, which I fill up every morning, and have a nice drinking glass – it’s all about the experience! I have a supplement drawer set up at my desk with all the vitamins I take daily. Automating my routines has made it easier to ensure I am getting the care my body needs. My colleagues around the office call me the vitamin lady, and I often find sticky notes in my drawer saying someone wasn’t feeling well and took an oregano oil or vitamin C.

I attend most of the  lunch  and learns offered  on campus  –  there are  so many  great topics and I have learned a lot of health tips. Moreover, it gets me out of the office! I took part in the Mindfulness@Work program and have found ways to take as little as five minutes a day to meditate. Whether it is walking to the office in the morning or taking 15 minutes at lunch, meditation is a powerful practice that has the potential to enhance your life if you allow the time for it.   I commute over an hour to work each way on the Westcoast Express, so I have consciously allocated that time as my quiet time. Whether it’s reading a book or meditation, it does NOT involve my cell phone or catching up on e-mails.

What strategies do you use in your personal life to help you thrive?

I start my day with a Green smoothie.   This has so many health benefits and gives your body the nutrients it needs.  I tried to find an activity that both my husband and I could do together, and we both enjoy Infrared yoga . The health benefits are endless and the stretching at the end of the day is a perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate. I recently starting Floating  – it is an amazing experience with so many health benefits .I try and do a digital detox holiday every year – no TV, computer, phone– it’s something our family actually starts to crave.   It begins with small moves  for big changes. Start where you are.  When you go to reach for a Coke, have a glass of water instead. Practice conscious, deep breathing. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Each and every change, big or small, is significant.  ‘If you start now you’ll start seeing results one day earlier than if you wait until tomorrow, so START TODAY!’


Did you know…?

The Alumni UBC office is moving to the Robert H Lee Alumni Centre April 2015.  Located smack dab in the middle of campus, the new 41,700 square foot Alumni Centre will be the first of its kind in Canada and a home for UBC alumni for life. Click here to check it out.

 

Posted in Colin Hearne, Mental Health, Physical Health, Thriving Campus | Tagged lunch, lunch and learn, meditation smoothie, Sandra Girard, strategies, thriving, thriving campus, wellbeing | 1 Response

Resolution Re-boot

Resolution Re-boot

By Miranda Massie on January 7, 2015

Welcome to 2015!  A new year tends to bring with it a sense of refreshment and revitalization.  New commitments are made, slates are wiped clean and health is often a focus. Making and keeping resolutions, however, is a tall order that can leave us feeling let down and sometimes disappointed in ourselves.

This year, I have decided to re-focus the way that I think about my health.  In the past, I might have spent a great deal of time and energy thinking about the What and the How.  What will I commit to? How long will I try to make it last?

I am instead going to re-boot my resolutions and focus on the Who. Optimum health relies on a balance between all aspects of our personal wellbeing, and that person is me! Finding personal balance can lead us to achieve our personal best.

Below I have included a list of different dimensions of health with the hopes that it might help us all to re-evaluate what is important to your personal health.   You might want to choose one and focus on optimizing that dimension of your wellbeing this month.  Alternately, you might want to come up with one goal related to each dimension to work on improving.

Emotional Health:

Our feelings and moods.  Feeling good and managing emotions can help us overcome challenges.

Examples: focus on breathing, avoid addictive substances, ask for help

Work and Financial Health:

A necessity for survival.  Sound knowledge and practices can Increase confidence and the use of important skills.

Examples: stick to a budget, seek financial counselling, assess your strengths

Intellectual Health:

Valuable for performance and job success.  Take pride in facing new challenges and developing a repertoire of skills.

Examples: read a book, attend a lecture, participate in a training program

Spiritual Health:

Staying grounded is important.  Developing a meaningful world view can increase our sense of belonging and help us when faced with problems.

Examples: meditate, seek spiritual guidance, find something that gives you a sense of purpose

Social Health:

Building and maintaining relationships is key.  Ensuring a support system builds relationships and self-esteem.

Examples: join a social group or club, participate in toastmasters, volunteer

Physical Health:

Daily choices are a great start.  Optimum physical health reduces stress and creates energy.

Examples: find a workout buddy, share a healthy recipe, get immunized

Play:

Having fun is fun.  Time for play allows us to laugh, relax and recharge.

Examples: watch a comedy, act like a kid, participate in sports day

Personal Health:

Listening to our needs.   Personal needs and boundaries can work to prevent health difficulties.

Examples: keep a sleep diary, try positive self-talk, get creative

The Who is key.  Wellbeing is not a one size fits all solution.  This month, I invite you to re-boot with me.  Re-evaluate your health priorities, re-prioritize where you expend your energy and re-focus on what matters to you in this moment.

Here is to a healthy and happy start to 2015!

All my best,

Miranda


Dimensions of health mentioned above are based on the areas of health from UBC’s Live Well to Learn Well webpages.

 

Posted in Editorial, Mental Health, Miranda Massie, Nutrition, Physical Health | Tagged dimensions of health, Energy, financial, health, new year, personal best, play, resolutions, spiritual, wellbeing, work | Leave a response

January’s Healthy Recipes

January’s Healthy Recipes

By Colin Hearne on January 7, 2015

Welcome to this month’s delicious recipes inspired by UBC Dietetics student Stephanie Dang.

For more of Stephanie’s tasty treats visit our brand new HealthyUBC Recipe Series web page – Bon Appétit!

 

  • Cinnamon Oatmeal Breakfast Pudding– click here to view

  • Winter Squash Risotto – click here to view

  • Pita and Tzatziki- click here to view

  • Quick Steamed Fish Fillets with Potatoes and Asparagus- click here to view

To keep informed of all new recipes and additional health and wellbeing offerings sign up for the Healthy UBC Monthly Newsletter or become a UBC Health Contact.


Stephanie-Dang-Stephanie Dang is a fourth-year dietetics student at the University of British Columbia. When she is not busy studying, Stephanie volunteers at the eating disorder clinic at Children’s Hospital, works at a local bar, and plays soccer. Stephanie believes that living “healthy” means enjoying everything in moderation, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Staying physically active and satisfying your body’s nutritional needs shouldn’t be considered a burden, and if it is, seeing a dietitian is a great way to get advice on how to enjoy healthy living!

Posted in Colin Hearne, Guest Contributor, Nutrition, Physical Health | Tagged food, guest contributor, healthy recipe series, Nutrition, recipe, Stephanie Dang, wellbeing | Leave a response

Get a Boost from UBC’s Health Benefits

Get a Boost from UBC’s Health Benefits

By Colin Hearne on December 4, 2014

The holiday season can be a very busy time.  – Get the most of your UBC health-boosting benefits this December with a helping hand from your extended health plan.

Some examples of extended health coverage:

  • $750 combined annual maximum for massage therapy* and physiotherapy.
  • $1,200 annual maximum for a psychologist* or social worker*.

All maximums indicated are per person.  Practitioners must be licensed and registered with the regulatory body for their profession. *A doctor’s referral is required for these practitioners.

UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program: Here to Help

Sometimes during the holiday season, we can get overwhelmed.  UBC Faculty and Staff (and dependents) can talk to a counselor through EFAP if you are having a difficult time this holiday season. UBC’s EFAP provider, Homewood Health, offers confidential short-term counseling on many issues. You can call Homewood Health if you need to talk with someone about:

  • Relationship problems
  • Parenting and caregiver concerns
  • Work-related issues
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression
  • Alcohol and drug dependencies
  • Bereavement
  • Financial advisory services
  • Nutritional counseling

To access all the above services through Homewood Health’s online database and toolkit, visit www.homewoodhhealth.com. For more information on EFAP services, visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/benefits/efap/.

Knowing where to turn

  • Meet the Health, Wellbeing and Benefits Team – We are here to help faculty, staff and their dependents at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. We look forward to helping you with your health, wellbeing and benefit questions! Meet us by clicking here.
  • If you have questions about your UBC Extended Health benefits or need help filing your claim, contact UBC Benefits here. For information about pre-authorizations, call Sun Life at 1-800-361-6212 or submit a secure message via the Sun Life Members website. Be sure to have your Access ID and password handy.

The UBC Extended Health plan is designed to help promote the continued health and well-being of UBC staff and faculty. Benefits include coverage for a wide range of services that are beyond the scope of coverage of BC’s Medical Service Plan.

You must be eligible for and enrolled in a Canadian public health plan (such as MSP) either through UBC or another benefit plan in order to be eligible to enroll in UBC’s Extended Health plan.  If you are arriving to British Columbia from out-of-country, you must satisfy the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) waiting period (which consists of balance of the month you arrive in B.C. plus two full months) before you can enroll in UBC’s Extended Health plan.

Posted in Benefits Spotlight, Colin Hearne, EFAP, Information Update, Mental Health | Tagged Benefits, EFAP, Employee and Family Assistance program, extended health, health, MSP, wellbeing | Leave a response

Thriving Faculty: Featuring Kyle Frackman

Thriving Faculty: Featuring Kyle Frackman

By Colin Hearne on October 1, 2014

This month’s Thriving Faculty interview is with Kyle Frackman, Assistant Professor of Germanic Studies, in UBC’s Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies.  

Thriving Faculty is a regular column highlighting UBC Faculty who exemplify integration of health and wellbeing into their classrooms, research, departments and communities. Thriving Faculty support others in their health and wellbeing, in addition to making a commitment to their own self-care. This column highlights personal and professional stories of Thriving Faculty.

What are central challenges you face with respect to wellbeing in your role as Faculty?

The main challenge is trying to meet the needs and demands of my students, my colleagues, the university, the profession, my family, and myself. These do sometimes (or even frequently) contradict and compete with each other. Remembering that my work responsibilities are not my entire life is vital. Also remembering that this is a constant work in progress can be difficult but helpful.

What strategies do you use in your own life, that help you thrive as Faculty?

I’m no expert and, as it is for most of us, trying to thrive takes constant work. I feel that I am best able to do my job and engage with colleagues and students when I can devote adequate time to self-care. I do my best to exercise, eat as healthfully as possible, rest, and try to enjoy life in Vancouver.

One of the most difficult tasks that many people face, academics included, is to approach a balance between work and non-work commitments. To me, it’s important to cultivate boundaries and personal standards for time management that allow me to separate work concerns from other aspects of my life. I hope we can all respect each other’s “non-UBC” time. Even as a pre-tenure faculty member, it’s possible to work regular (and not eternal) hours; this also means having periods free from e-mail invasions—one of the largest and most voracious devourers of our time.

 


Kyle Frackman is an assistant professor of Germanic Studies, Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies.  Kyle moved to Vancouver from the United States to join the UBC faculty in 2012. He has a Ph.D. in German Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. At UBC he teaches in both German and Scandinavian subject areas.

 

 

Posted in Mental Health, Miranda Massie, Nutrition, Physical Health, Thriving Faculty | Tagged faculty, Kyle Frackman, mental health, Thriving faculty, UBC, wellbeing | Leave a response

Stress and Resiliency at Work with Dr. Joti Samra

Stress and Resiliency at Work with Dr. Joti Samra

By Guest Contributor on September 9, 2014

Guest Contribution by Dr. Joti Samra

One of my favourite quotes is from the renowned Dr. Sigmund Freud: “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness”. For many of us, our livelihood is an integral part of our overall sense of happiness and wellbeing.

Work – when it is going well – provides us with a sense of purpose and meaning. Our job can help us feel confident and competent, and is intrinsically rewarding. It also serves as an important source of social connection. When our work is not going well, however, it can be a source of significant distress and unhappiness.

When our level of satisfaction with work decreases, it can be helpful to examine what has changed. Sometimes, our work/career goals shift. Other times, we realize that we have unrealistic or over-idealized views of what our position would or should entail, and over time we realize it wasn’t all we thought it would be. Sometimes, our job responsibilities change over time. All of these can be factors that contribute to a mismatch between expectations and the reality of the position in which you find yourself.

It can be helpful to ask yourself if there are certain elements of your position (including co-worker/supervisor relationships) that are exacerbating issues for you and making you feel stressed about work. Are you struggling with job tasks? If yes, it may be that problem-solving some of the workplace issues may help you to feel more at ease and better enjoy your job.

It can also be helpful to examine other factors that may be contributing to not feeling fulfilled at work. Identify and problem-solve other things happening in your life that may be contributing and increasing your overall stress levels (e.g., poor sleep, poor diet, conflict in important relationships). Often, positively changing our personal circumstances can lead to a ripple effect in our satisfaction with work.

Reminder: UBC staff and faculty who are registered in UBC’s benefits plans have coverage of per year to see a Registered Psychologist. Visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/benefits/extended-health/ for more information.


 

This article is adapted in part from an article Dr. Samra wrote for The Globe and Mail on May 26, 2011.

Dr. Joti Samra, R. Psych., has been guest contributor to the Healthy UBC Newsletter since April 2014 She is a clinical psychologist and organizational media consultant. She is the host of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Million Dollar Neighbourhood” and was the psychological consultant to CITY-TV’s “The Bachelor Canada”. She has also served as a psychological consultant and expert to a number of other TV shows and news outlets. Dr. Samra maintains a clinical practice in Vancouver. Her website is www.drjotisamra.com and she can be followed @drjotisamra

Posted in Guest Contributor, Mental Health | Tagged career, Dr. Joti Samra, health, Stress, wellbeing, work | Leave a response

How a Little Hummingbird Can Lead Us to Better Health

How a Little Hummingbird Can Lead Us to Better Health

By Miranda Massie on August 6, 2014

In my editorial last month, I invited our readers to reflect on their work environment, and to try one new thing to create a healthier workplace.  The University is a large entity and attempting to establish healthier environments can be a daunting task.   If each individual member of our staff and faculty community tried to make one change, we could harness this momentum and the impact could be felt on a wider scale.

So, what can we do as individuals to make our working communities healthier?

In posing this question, I am reminded of a 5X15 event that I attended as part of the Indian Summer Festival in June.  Five dynamic and engaging speakers are invited to each talk for 15 minutes, unscripted, on a topic of their choice.  I was fortunate to hear Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, visual artist and member of the Haida Nation, speak as one of the evenings presenters.  Michael recounted an old Quechan legend that made its way to Haida Gwaii called The Little Hummingbird.

Michael spoke about belonging, specifically as individuals to a larger community and how in Haida communities, people rely on individual members to “do what they can” in order to contribute to the larger whole.  No matter how small or insignificant an individual may perceive their gesture to be, acknowledging that it all contributes to the betterment of the future of the group is essential.

I really appreciate this idea that in doing what we can with what we have at our disposal, we have the ability to take an active and participating role in our health at work.

An easy way to embark on this journey is through recognition.  ‘Thank you’s’ are free and gratitude does not cost a thing.  Best of all, rewarding the work of others through recognition has been proven to benefit one’s health.

Peer recognition has the most impact, as colleagues tend to be the people that see day–to-day work and tasks being completed.  This type of public recognition is more meaningful and lasting as it fulfills two of our innate human needs: the need to belong (social) and the need to be appreciated (esteem).   People who feel appreciated and valued in the workplace are more productive, generally happier and more likely to extend their gratitude to their families, social networks and communities.  Showing and receiving gratitude and appreciation has been shown to release the hormone oxytocin in the body which serves to bond relationships, reduce negative emotions and relieve pain.

This month, I invite you to be generous with your ‘thank you’s’, and to show your appreciation for colleagues when you feel it is deserved.  If you are looking for other ways to recognize staff and faculty at UBC, or want to find out what the University does as an organization to reward employees, visit the  Staff Recognition page.

With recognition in mind, I would like to thank all of our readers who take the time to provide feedback and send their appreciation.  We do this work for you and hope that it helps you move towards a healthier UBC!

All my best,

Miranda


References

http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2012/06/13/new-research-unlocks-the-secret-of-employee-recognition/

http://ehstoday.com/safety/incentives/benefits-employee-recognition-3008

Harvard Mental Health Letter: Volume 28, Issue 5, 2011

Posted in Editorial, Mental Health, Miranda Massie, Physical Health, Spot Light | Tagged appreciation, Celebrate, community involvement, culture, gratitude, Haida, health, hummingbird, indigenous, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, recognition, success, thank you, wellbeing, workplace | Leave a response

Cheers for Peers

Cheers for Peers

By Colin Hearne on August 6, 2014

Appreciation is a fundamental human need.   Whatever else we derive from our work, nothing rivals the feeling that we truly matter – that we are recognized for contributing a unique value to this beautiful university. Studies in North America also reflect this phenomenon. More than two-thirds of people surveyed by Boston-based Globoforce  through their Workforce Mood Tracker said they were motivated by praise, while 78 percent said they would work harder if their contributions were recognized or appreciated.

Recognition and appreciation can come in many forms: a simple thank you, an award, an invite to lunch; and is equally important when coming from a colleague as when coming from a supervisor.

Every Day is Colleague Appreciation Day

Here are some examples for inspiration as highlighted by Dr Robert Nelson in his book, 1501 Ways to Reward Employees

  • Royal Victoria Hospital in Ontario has a special voicemail line for employees to leave anonymous messages about their co-workers’ good performance, which are then written on cards and given to the complimented employee’s manager for individual recognition.
  • Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has an online employee peer-to-peer recognition system for employees to enter co-worker recognition. The system then sends an email, notifying the giver’s and recipient’s managers, and enters points into employees’ electronic cards for redeeming merchandise.
  • ComDoc in Ohio utilizes employee emails to HR that are then distributed company-wide to recognize and share news of accomplishments.
  • Toronto Scotiabank has an award-winning comprehensive peer-to-peer recognition program that enables and encourages employees to recognize each other for living the company’s values.
  • Wells Fargo’s electronic peer-to-peer recognition program utilizes e-cards, e-wards, aCheers for Peersnd “Ride the Wave” annual awards to make it fun and easy for employees to recognize each other’s’ performance to organizational values.

What You Can Do Today

Every single person reading this article has a co-worker who does their job in such a way that you are able to do your job more effectively. You know who I’m talking about, the people who always have the answers and are there for you when you need them. So, why not take a minute today to try some of these creative ways to give cheers to your peers?

  • Random acts of kindness: Make it a point to not leave on Friday afternoon until you have performed an act of kindness for a coworker. Help them with a project, grab them a cup of coffee, or buy them lunch.
  • Leave them a note: Write a secret note of thanks to your co-worker specifically describing what they do to deserve your praise.
  • Celebrate successes: When one of your coworkers reaches a goal or a milestone, do what you can to help them celebrate! Bake a cake, decorate their workspace: or sing a song of celebration.
  • Become a UBC Health Contact: Be the person in your office or unit to share healthy information for UBC employees. Get the news about the latest corporate fitness discounts, free workshops and free trainings. and spread the healthy news to your peers. Click here for more information.
  • Write them up: Tell Your Team: If a coworker goes above and beyond, put it in writing and praise them in a group email or note!
  • Support them when they’re down: Consider how you can support co-workers under stress.
  • Start a peer-to-peer recognition team: If your workplace doesn’t already have one, why not approach your manager with this idea? Develop a team to recognize your co-workers. Rotate the members on an annual basis so everyone has a chance to serve.

Make It Happen

One excellent way to build a system of support, recognise achievements, and build a culture of rewarding is to create a Healthy Work place Initiative Program for your department. The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) is a fund available to UBC departments to support healthy activities in the workplace. The program provides start-up funds to starting health-related initiatives. The application deadline for next round of funding is Nov. 21, 2014.  For more information, or to be inspired by previous programs, visit our website.

Posted in Colin Hearne, Healthy Path, Mental Health, Spot Light | Tagged appreciation, Celebrate, gratitude, health, recognition, success, wellbeing, workplace | 1 Response

Thriving Faculty: Featuring Simon Chen

Thriving Faculty: Featuring Simon Chen

By Colin Hearne on July 3, 2014

Thriving Faculty is a regular column highlighting individual or collective UBC Faculty who exemplify integration of health and wellbeing into their classrooms, research, departments and/or communities. Thriving Faculty support others’ health and wellbeing in addition to making a commitment to their own self-care. This column highlights personal and professional stories of Thriving Faculty.  

1.  Based on your experiences, please describe the relationship between student mental health & wellbeing and learning?

Based on my experience, mental wellness impacts students every bit as much as physical health.  Because mental conditions can often go undiagnosed for a long time, the students may experience gradual deterioration in function over weeks, months, or even years.  The functional decline can present as decreased focus or concentration, loss of interest, lack of motivation, poor attendance, and social avoidance.  Academically, this may result in under performance and lower overall grades.

2.  Please describe the role of your own mental health and wellbeing in your teaching, research and service to the community?

My role as a physician at the UBC Student Health Service is to diagnose, to treat, to educate, and/or to facilitate access to appropriate resources as required by the students.  The students often present to my clinic because they suspect that they may have mental illnesses but not sure where to go, or they came at the request of their faculties, families or friends due to declining functional or academic performances.  It is my responsibility, and the responsibility of my physician colleagues, to properly assess and help all students who presents to our clinic.

 3. Are there any resources on campus that you have found to be helpful for promoting wellbeing for either yourself or your students?

UBC is fortunate to have an abundance of resources available to students.  The on campus fitness centre and Aquatic Centre are great places to exercise and to unwind.  For some individuals, regular exercise is as effective as medication in certain mental conditions.  The Wellness Centre is very useful for learning about primary prevention and how to stay healthy.  For those who prefer to talk about their mental concerns, the experienced counsellors at UBC Counselling Services offers someone to one sessions and group educational sessions on anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorder managements.

______________________________________

Simon Chen, MD, CCFP (EM) completed his Family Medicine & Emergency Medicine Residency Program at University of Saskatchewan in 2005.  After residency, he worked in Saskatoon as both family & emergency physician.  In 2011, he moved to BC, and started his position as a family physician at UBC Student Health Service.

Posted in Colin Hearne, Mental Health, Physical Health, Thriving Faculty | Tagged academic performance, mental health, student, student health service, Thriving faculty, wellbeing | Leave a response

Thriving Faculty featuring Dr. John Oliffe

Thriving Faculty featuring Dr. John Oliffe

By on October 30, 2013

Thriving Faculty is a regular column highlighting individual or collective UBC Faculty who exemplify integration of health and wellbeing into their classrooms, research, departments and/or communities.  Thriving Faculty support others’ health and wellbeing in addition to making a commitment to their own self-care.  This column highlights personal and professional stories of Thriving Faculty. 

Read an interview with Dr. John Oliffe

Q.  What are central challenges you face in your role as Faculty?

The toughest challenge has been protecting my time. Trying to anticipate and avoid the cul-de-sacs while choosing the avenues that will be of greater benefit to all and add to my energy levels. Teaching can add energy, as can analyzing research data and sharing those findings.

Q.   Based on your experiences, please describe the relationship between student mental health & wellbeing and learning.

Our study of men’s depression focused on college men, and we were interested to learn that many guys are under enormous pressure to achieve academically amid trying to conceal their depressive symptoms. I think lots of guys buy into the idea of ‘passing’ as being well – and this can take multiple forms including alcohol and drug use, aggressiveness and being hyper-competitive as well as socially isolating for fear of being outed as having  depression. Inversely, lots of guys also self-manage depressive symptoms effectively through physical activity and connecting with friends in ways that allow them to really talk about all the issues in their lives.

Our men’s depression website chronicles our work – and provides some insights about how it can be managed – as well as the diversity with which it can be experienced. www.mensdepressionhelpyourself.ubc.ca

Q.   Are there any other insights you learned about college men and depression that you can share?

Being well mentally is the pre-requisite for bringing game academically. The flip is that mental illness adds a degree of difficulty to finding and sustaining academic success.

Q.  Can you describe the practice of Men’s Sheds?  Is there a parallel to Men’s Sheds that can be implemented in the context of Higher Education?

Men’s Sheds originated in Australia – where the government has invested in making sheds available to men who might be experiencing challenges around social isolation, job insecurity and/or illness issues. The sheds provide a workspace where men can come and connect with others as well as learn various skills and contribute to an array of projects. While there is no parallel in higher education, I am hopeful that we could thoughtfully consider bringing something like Men’s Sheds to UBC.

Q.   Do you implement any strategies to support student mental health and wellbeing in the classroom/lab?

I think as a nursing faculty we are trained to be attuned to signs suggesting student stress and distress. So, in that regard I think as a collective we are well credentialed to thoughtfully guide student experiencing difficulties toward campus and other services.

Q.  Can you highlight some of these signs?  Do you implement any strategies/structures in your teaching that promotes mental health?

When grades begin to wane, and absenteeism or presenteeisim emerge – these are usually signs that something outside of my teaching is negatively impacting student success. Keeping things upbeat in class and having humour can be helpful – and asking open-ended questions to check if the student is okay are key strategies.

Q.  Please describe the role of your own mental health and wellbeing in your teaching, research and service to the community?

I try to stay calm. My days of working from a platform of discontent (a strategy I used to prompt my tenure track hyperwork practices) ended July 1, 2013. My sense is that I may be relaxing a little more while still getting the job done.  I was and am fortunate enough to have a great partner in life, and she has been a terrific person to be around – through thick and thin. The biggest tenure track challenge was being turned back by the senior appointments committee in 2007 (Assistant to Associate). I share that detail only to encourage others going through the tenure track process to never…never…never give up! The good thing about my current work is that I am moving from descriptive to intervention research – and I have great staff and collaborators to help advance the wellbeing of men and their families.

Q.  What strategies do you use in your own life, that help you thrive as Faculty?

Wise faculty say: Never go to a meeting that does not have an agenda distributed at least 24 hours in advance.

Thoughtfully re-consider the 40%:40%:20% split as a percentage of your work week, not your entire week!

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John Oliffe is Professor at the School of Nursing, University of British Columbia. His research is focused on gender and health, particularly men’s health. He is especially interested in masculinities and gender relations in the context of various men’s health issues including prostate cancer, depression and suicide, and smoking. For more information on his current projects and publications please visit www.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca.

 

 

Posted in Geoffrey Soloway, Mental Health, Thriving Faculty | Tagged faculty, thriving at ubc, Thriving faculty, wellbeing | 1 Response

Thriving Faculty featuring Michael Lee

Thriving Faculty featuring Michael Lee

By on September 3, 2013

Thriving Faculty is a regular column highlighting individual or collective Faculty who exemplify integration of health and wellbeing into their classrooms, research, departments and/or communities.  Thriving Faculty not only support others health and wellbeing, but also make a commitment to their own self-care.  This column highlights both the personal and professional stories of Thriving Faculty with the intention to inspire the integration of wellbeing into life as faculty. 

Read an interview with Professor Michael Lee.

Q.  Based on your experiences, please describe the relationship between student mental health, and  wellbeing and learning?

I like looking at wellness from a bio-psychosocial-spiritual perspective; which is a holistic way of looking at a person.  To thrive, one needs to attend to all four aspects of one’s life.  It is like a four-legged stool, which means lacking one will lead to imbalance, or even tipping over. Mental wellness is one of the essential factors that leads to thriving, including academic excellence. Likewise, in order to excel in learning, one needs to attend to all four aspects of life, hence mental wellness is essential.

I come across many students who invested their energy and time in certain aspects of their life, may it be attending to academic attainments, relationships, physical activities, etc., and neglected the importance of balance of all aspects.  We all know the importance of a balanced diet.  Likewise, a balanced life that also attends to mental wellness is important for a healthy living.

Q.  What are central challenges you face in your role as Faculty?

Like students, I am often faced with too many things to do with limited time and resources.  This is one of the challenges that we all face, like it or not, in this fast-paced world.  Knowledge and information are growing exponentially, and we all are bombarded with pressing time lines.  It is very easy for us to fall into the trap of racing with the fast pace world.  Attending to the bio-psychosocial-spiritual aspects of life is a challenge that I face, especially when I am racing in a fast-paced world, or when I am doing certain things that I am very passionate about.

Q.  What strategies do you use to support student mental health and wellbeing in the classroom/lab?

The best way to promote student mental health is to start from creating a healthy learning environment.  Competition among students is contagious.  Though competitions foster quality improvement, too much competitions result in excessive stress that is not helpful in creating a healthy learning environment.  To me, learning is not all about how many “A”s you got, it is about how you can be a learning agent for the rest of your life, so that you can be a creative problem-solver.  Hence, I always tell my students not to focus too much on how you score in your exam or in your assignment, but be reflective, and know how you can use what you learned to build new knowledge.  To be a clever consumer, we look for merchandise that meets our needs.  Likewise, to be a clever knowledge consumer, we make it clear that we are going after knowledge and intellect, not on having higher marks then the one sitting next to us.

I also tell my students to look at the classroom as an oasis of resources.  In a class of 50 students, there are 49 other bright brains that can help you to learn the knowledge better and to understand the concept clearer.  See your prof as the one whom you can identify as a mentor, not the one who is mean and holding back each and every mark in your exam.  Look around to identify resources, not barriers.

Q.   What strategies do you use in your own life, that help you thrive as Faculty?

To be mindful of your goals is like having a GPS that will help navigate and not be distracted by what is happening around you.

Know your capacity and maximize your strengths.  You don’t have to do everything, but do things that you are good at. Build capacity.  There are many resources around us that we are not aware of.  Think about our environment as full of resources.  Leverage these resources in order to help us to get to where we need to get to.

Q.  Are they any specific initiatives and/or research you are involved in that promote health, mental health and wellbeing?

I worked with a group of students to bring mental health awareness on campus.  The Mental Health Awareness Club is a student-led initiative, with the mandate to bring mental health awareness on campus; and to eliminate stigma on mental illness with the hope to create a healthier campus.  Students from various disciplines, different faculties and various backgrounds work together to promote campus mental health awareness through various events and programs.  One project that we started last year is a campus-wide mental health needs assessment.  Using participatory action research approach, we invited students to tell us about their perspectives on stresses on campus, and identify ways to address these stresses.  In addition to knowing more about students’ perspective about stress, this project helped participants to know more about stress issues on campus and supported them to develop strategies to build resilience against stresses.  This year, the Club is rolling out another needs assessment to look at mental health stigma, and how stigma impacts on student life.  Through these participatory research activities, we hope we can draw campus attention to mental health and mental illness issues and to enable our community to develop strategies to address these concerns.  Our ultimate goal is to help the community to built capacity in creating a healthy learning environment for our future generations.

Q.  In your role as faculty, please describe your experience balancing work-life commitments? Is there a metaphor that depicts this relationship?

I mentioned a four- legged stool.  It is important for me to attend to all four aspects of my life, including not only my physical and psychological wellbeing; but also attend to my social and spiritual needs.

One of my mottos is “know your strengths, build your capacities.”

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Michael Lee is the Senior Instructor with the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, as well as the Curriculum Coordinator for the Master of Occupational Therapy program.  In addition to teaching, learning with his students and promoting mental health on campus, he enjoys his time with the family and having quite time to refresh.

Nominate a Thriving Faculty

Do you know a UBC faculty member who thrives?  We’d like to know!  Please send your nominations to geoffrey.soloway@ubc.ca, and let us know why this person is a champion of wellbeing both inside and outside of the classroom.

Posted in Geoffrey Soloway, Mental Health, Spotlight, Thriving Faculty | Tagged challenges, faculty, Thriving faculty, wellbeing | 1 Response

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