10 years of Thrive and promoting mental health at UBC
Supporting the mental health of faculty, staff and students has long been an important priority for UBC and Mental Health and Resilience was identified as one of the six priority areas for action in the Wellbeing Strategic Framework. Thrive is just one of the many mental health initiatives at UBC that support the health and wellbeing of community members.
Now in its 10th year, Thrive aims to help everyone at UBC explore their path to mental health. Throughout November, there will be a month-long series of events to help faculty, staff and students enhance their mental health literacy and boost their mental health.
As a manager/administrator, here are some ways you can champion mental health and wellbeing in your department in November and all year long:
Thrive (Nov. 1-30):
- Use the Thrive 5 to build mental health in the workplace
- Attend a Thrive event, including the free spin class, kick-off event at the Student Recreation Centre on Nov. 1. Saje Wellness will also be hosting wellness activities for those who prefer not to spin.
- Access mental health resources
Not Myself Today (Nov. 1-30):
Many departments and units across the university will be taking part in Not Myself Today, a national workplace mental health initiative that helps to build greater awareness, reduce stigma and foster safe and supportive cultures. Learn more about the UBC-wide mental health resources available to help support your workplace conversations and initiatives and to promote wellbeing among colleagues and teams.
30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge (Nov. 1-30):
Encourage your workplace and colleagues to register for the next Mindfulness Challenge. The program is free and open to all UBC staff, faculty and postdoctoral fellows in Vancouver and the Okanagan. It is a great team-building activity and a simple way to introduce mindfulness as a way to help reduce stress, gain perspective and increase resilience at work and in life. Visit the 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge page to learn more and to download a printable poster for your department.
Thank you for supporting UBC’s efforts to help everyone thrive.
PD workshop: CliftonStrengths® Discovery: Your Unique Strengths and Strategies for Your Success: Oct. 23
We are hosting CliftonStrengths® Discovery: Your Unique Strengths and Strategies for Your Success, a one-day workshop designed for individuals who wish to identify what they do best and how to maximize their potential by using CliftonStrengths.
In this workshop, you will learn:
- Discover how to make a difference by doing more of what you naturally do best
- Acquire tools and insights that will help you apply your strengths to achieve greater productivity, engagement and happiness
- Understand how all of your CliftonStrengths themes, separately or together, influence your work and personal life
- Develop strategies to help you use your strongest CliftonStrengths to accomplish specific targets, goals and aspirations
- Think about how you can combine your talents with others to achieve greater success
Course information
Date: Oct. 23, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: $375
Register online
If you are interested in this course, you may be able to use your professional development funding. Please visit the page for your employee group to learn more.
Earthquake preparedness: Get ready to ShakeOut: Oct. 17, 10:17 a.m.
This October, practice the Great BC ShakeOut, an annual province-wide earthquake drill on Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m. Emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. It is a one-minute commitment for something that can save your life.
- DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
Earthquake Preparedness at UBC
Want to learn more about earthquake preparedness at UBC? Visit the Safety & Risk Services page at https://srs.ubc.ca/emergency/emergency-procedures/earthquake/.
Volunteer at Fall Graduation
UBC is seeking volunteers at the upcoming fall graduation ceremonies, Nov. 27-29, 2019. This is an opportunity to get involved in this special occasion honouring students’ achievements, and to make it a memorable day for students, their family and their friends. Learn more and sign up at https://graduation.ubc.ca/volunteer/.
Spotlight on Coaching at UBC
Coaching is a development opportunity to focus and move forward on your personal, professional or organizational goals through the exploration of ideas and candid dialogue with a confidential and unbiased thinking partner. UBC Coaching offers several ways for faculty and staff to engage with coaching, on an individual as well as a leadership basis.
One-on-one coaching
We have several coaches available to UBC staff and faculty. Both internal and external coaches offer coaching services at no cost for up to six sessions, for staff and faculty who register through the UBC Coaching portal. Visit coaching.hr.ubc.ca/app/coaching/ to login to our coaching portal with your CWL.
Coaching information session: Oct. 9
Would you like to learn more about coaching? We have a one-hour information session on Oct. 9, to provide interested staff and faculty with an overview on what coaching is, and how it can help you with your personal or professional development at UBC.
Course information:
Coaching For Personal and Professional Development
Date: Oct. 9, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: Free
Register online
Foundations of Workplace Coaching Skills: Oct. 30
If you are interested in learning how to bring coaching to your work style, we invite you to join us for a one-day workshop, to gain a better understanding of coaching and put coaching skills into practice.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand what a coach approach means, the key principles and what is a coaching mindset
- Understand how coaching skills complement and strengthen your wider communication skills
- Be able to distinguish between coaching and mentoring/counselling/consulting/advising
- Understand the structure of a coaching conversation
- Be able to engage in fundamental coaching skills
- Be able to identify where, when and how you can use coaching in your work at UBC
- Be able to discern coachable moments and identify when coaching is not the best form of communication
Course information:
Foundations of Workplace Coaching Skills
Date: Oct. 30, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: $350
Register online
If you are interested in this workshop, you may be able to use your professional development funding. Please visit the page for your employee group to learn more.
Want to be a coach?
Our Coaching program will be accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Coaching Internship Program this fall. Successful candidates will receive funding towards the completion of an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program at an institution of their choice. If you are interested in learning more about this program, we encourage you to join us for our information session in November.
Course information:
Coaching Internship Program – Information Session
Date: Nov. 18, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: Free
Register online
Conflict Theatre fall performance: Oct. 8
Conflict Theatre uses the situation and tools of the theatre to explore and constructively engage with workplace conflict. The fall performance, on Oct. 8, will present a play based on real-world, workplace conflict. After the play, there will be facilitated discussion and resource sharing for further support.
Event details
Date: Oct. 8, 2019, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Room 260, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall [map]
RSVP: conflicttheatrefall2019.eventbrite.ca
Orange Shirt Day: Sept. 30
Sept. 30 is an annual day to recognize and raise awareness about the residential school system in Canada, join together in the spirit of reconciliation, and honour the experiences of Indigenous Peoples. Between the late 1800s and 1996, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children attended Indian residential schools – Orange Shirt Day commemorates this legacy. Show your support of Orange Shirt Day by talking about the day, learning about its origins and residential schools, and honour Survivors by wearing orange on Sept. 30.
Learn more at irshdc.ubc.ca/orangeshirtday.
The Working Mind for Managers: Oct. 8, 2019
We are hosting a Working Mind for Managers session on Oct. 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All supervisors/managers/members of the distributed HR community of practice in Vancouver are invited to attend.
The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based, workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for supervisors/managers.
Course information
Date: Oct. 8, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), Policy Room A&B
Cost: Free
Register online
At this training, you will learn:
- the basic concepts, risk factors and causes of mental illness and mental disorders
- the confidence, tools and resources to manage and support employees who may be experiencing mental health problems or illness
- about the Mental Health Continuum Model, how to observe changes in employees along the continuum, and how to take appropriate action
- about workplace accommodations and return to work services
- how to communicate with employees about mental health illness in a workplace context
- how to your mental health literacy to help recognize, manage and prevent mental health challenges in the workplace
QPR Suicide Prevention Training: Oct. 15, 2019
QPR Suicide Intervention Training is an internationally recognized suicide intervention program designed to help you question, persuade, and refer. UBC offers free QPR training for students, staff, and faculty to help them recognize suicide warning signs, 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. QPR acts as an emergency mental health intervention designed to save lives much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention.
Course information
Date: Oct. 15, 2019, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610
Cost: Free
Register online
At this training, you will learn:
- how to get help for yourself
- common causes and warning signs of suicidal behaviour
- tools and skills on how to intervene
- how to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone at risk
- how to get help for someone in crisis
- familiarity with referral resources both on and off campus
For more information on QPR Suicide Intervention Training, please visit http://thrive.ubc.ca/prevent-suicide/qpr/.
Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan: September sessions
The Pensions Administration Office is hosting two upcoming September Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan sessions for members of the UBC Staff Pension Plan. If you are interested in attending, please register soon as these sessions fill up quickly.
These workshops help attendees learn about the plan, about pensions in general, and related retirement considerations.
- Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 26: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Visit https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/news/workshops/ to register.
Wellbeing workshops: Fall stress & resilience series
Join HR’s Health Promotions team and Dr. Thara Vayali in a three-part Stress & Resilience wellbeing series this fall, to explore the stress response, recognize your stress levels, build resilience, and discover the connection between empathy and stress.
- Sept. 19: Part 1: Bouncing Forward
- Oct. 10: Part 2: Empathy & Stress
- Oct. 24: Part 3: The Stress Inventory
These free workshops will be held 12:00-1:00 p.m., in Neville Scarfe (2125 Main Mall). Register for free in the HR events catalog.
CTLT Summer Institute 2019: Aug. 19-29 & Sept. 4-6
Interested in teaching, learning or technology? The UBC CTLT Summer Institute features more than 30 free workshops for educators on topics such as open education, student wellbeing, learning analytics, and more. This year’s Institute runs Aug. 19-29, and Sept. 4-6. View the full schedule of events and learn more at institute.ctlt.ubc.ca/summer-institute/.
Staff Welcome Back BBQ 2019: RSVP by Aug. 16
Each year, the President’s Office and Human Resources welcomes UBC staff to the new academic year with the Staff Welcome Back BBQ. Registration is now open for this year’s Staff Welcome Back BBQ (Vancouver campus):
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Flag Pole Plaza [map]
How to register
Your department has a contact for this event who will register all attendees in your department online. You can find the list of Department Contacts here. Registration closes on Aug. 16. The Ceremonies Office will send tickets for registered attendees to your department in early September. Registration information can be found here.
Staff who miss the registration deadline can still register on the day of the event at the onsite registration table, with a valid UBCCard. Note: food cannot be guaranteed for day-of registrants.
Eligibility
This event is open to UBC employees with staff appointments only. This does not include faculty appointments, post-doctoral, student appointments, work-study and co-op positions.
Learn more at https://ceremonies.ubc.ca/staffbbq/.
50/50 Yoga Pilates: Aug. 1
Join HR’s Health Promotions team for a free 50/50 Yoga Pilates class on Aug. 1. 50/50 Yoga Pilates consists of 50% standing Pilates work, which integrates Pilates principles into lower-body work, and 50% yoga mat work to strengthen the core with complementary exercises. There will be some mats available however quantities are limited. Participants who have their own mats are encouraged to bring them.
Details:
Date: Aug. 1, 2019
Time: 11:00-11:55 a.m.
Location: Life Building, ARC Main Level Studio [map]
Register online
Free ergonomics workshops: July 16
We have two upcoming office ergonomics training sessions on July 16. All UBC staff and faculty are invited to attend.
Register for Ergo Your Office: 1hr Tutorial: July 16 (3:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
Expand to learn more
What To Expect:
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.
Register for Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms: July 16 (1:00 – 2:00 p.m.)
Expand to learn more
What To Expect: This workshop will provide participants with important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available on the market. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option is most suitable.
Product samples will be available for participants to try out in order to get an idea of how the different models impact positioning and workflow.
Workshop participants will also learn proper set-up for sit-stand desks and how frequently to alternate positions. Participants will receive information on UBC’s Sit-Stand Demo Program and process.
This workshop is for managers, purchasing personnel and staff/faculty who are considering getting a sit-stand desk or platform.
Reminder: UBC Staff Pension Fair: June 20
The Staff Pension Plan (SPP) Pension Fair will take place on Thursday, June 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. This event is a great opportunity for members to learn more about the SPP and gain some pension knowledge. Similar to past years, we will have information tables hosted by UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits, UBC Investment Management Trust, UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program, and more.
Registration is not required and you are encouraged to drop in at any time that is convenient for you. For more information, please visit https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/pensionfair/
The Pension Board, management and staff look forward to meeting you and answering your questions.
New PD workshops this August
HR is hosting two professional envelopment workshops this August:
Discovering Personal Effectiveness: Aug. 8 (9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.)
Self-awareness is at the heart of professional growth and development. By understanding ourselves, we are able to better connect with others, create meaningful relationships at work, improve our personal leadership and be more effective in our communications.
- Cost: $375
- Register online
Practical Project Management: Aug. 21-22 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Many people are finding projects an increasing part of their workload, yet still have their ‘day job’ responsibilities. Getting your project off to the best possible start is essential for success and tackling today’s project focused environment requires a straightforward, down to earth approach. This two-day workshop provides practical, effective tools and proven processes that ensure your projects get off to a clear and solid start, ensuring they stay on track, and your deliverables are achieved on time and on budget.
- Cost: $550
- Register online
If you are interested in these workshops, you may be able to use your professional development funding. Please visit the page for your employee group to learn more.
Rehearsing Conflict workshop performance: June 20
You are invited to attend Conflict Theatre‘s performance on Thursday, June 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Dorothy Somerset Studios.
The plays are created and performed by UBC faculty and staff participating in the Rehearsing Conflict workshop series (June 13-20). Members of the UBC community have come together to share and act out stories of conflict in order to find solutions, challenge assumptions, and build understanding.
Our free workshop performance will involve reflection on the difficult conversations we can face in the workplace, and there will be space for interactive community dialogue. As a forum theatre performance, there will be an invitation to audience members to take part in the action if they choose, but all participation is voluntary. Together, we will consider how we can move through blockages to authentic and productive communication during workplace conflict.
Please RSVP at http://bit.ly/JUNE20PERFORMANCE and email any questions to conflict.theatre@ubc.ca.
Positive Space workshop: June 18
Are your working, learning and living environments welcoming to LGBT2SQIA+ students, staff and faculty? Would you like to learn more how to improve and positively impact the climate for sexual and gender diversity?
The Positive Space foundational workshop covers current language, issues, resources, and best practices in an interactive and experiential learning environment. Participants will gain relevant knowledge and skills to use in their academic, work and campus life.
Upcoming workshop
- June 18: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sign up on the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office website.
2019 Annual Welcome Back Staff BBQ: Updated contacts needed
This year’s Welcome Back Staff BBQ at UBC’s Vancouver campus will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Registration/RSVPs will open Monday, June 11.
Department Contacts Confirmation
To help ensure all staff who wish to attend don’t miss out this year, we need your assistance with updating the list of department contacts responsible for coordinating the Welcome Back BBQ Registration/RSVPs.
Check the spreadsheet attached to this week’s HR Network News email for the name of your department contact, and then contact Kailey Patton (kailey.patton@ubc.ca) to either confirm if your contact person is correct, or to let us know the new contact name. The contact person does not need to be an HR Network member, but we do need their name and email address to provide them with important information about the BBQ.
Please note that smaller departments are often grouped together to limit the number of overall department contacts. If you don’t see your department on the spreadsheet, look for the next department into which your unit rolls up.
If you have questions, please contact Kailey Patton at kailey.patton@ubc.ca or 604-822-8985.