30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge Starts Feb. 19 – Free for UBC Staff & Faculty
The 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge focuses on the core skills of mindfulness through evidence-based online training, teaching mindfulness-in-action for everyday life. Participants have found that the challenge helps reduce stress, while increasing joy and peak performance in all areas of life including leadership, interpersonal communication, conflict management, and decision-making in the workplace.
This year, the 30-Day challenge is free for UBC staff and faculty. The spring session runs Feb. 19 – March 20, 2018.
Register at https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0fhoXZec5qvyb6B.
Get Comfy & Help Kick Off Move UBC (Feb. 1-28)
Next Thursday, Feb. 1, you’re invited to reach for your go-to active wear, lace up your favourite sneakers, and join your comfortably-attired colleagues in kicking off Move UBC.
Move UBC is an annual, month-long initiative that encourages the entire UBC community to find ways to move more. By sitting less and moving more, we can help to improve our mental and physical health. When your colleagues move along with you, you’ll also enjoy social health benefits.
For more info about Active Wear Day (Feb. 1) and Move UBC events (Feb. 1-28), visit www.move.ubc.ca.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training: Feb. 6, 2018
QPR Training is an internationally recognized suicide prevention program designed to help you question, persuade and refer. QPR acts as an emergency mental health intervention that is designed to save lives, much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention. Learn to 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.
Our next QPR training session is Feb. 6, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
At this training, you will learn:
- How to get help for yourself;
- Tools and skills on how to prevent suicide;
- Common causes and warning signs of suicidal behaviour;
- How to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone at risk;
- How to get help for someone in crisis; and
- Familiarity with referral resources both on and off campus.
January is Sexual Assault Awareness Month at UBC
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) at UBC began in 2009 as a student initiative, and has since grown to include programming for all employees at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses each January. This month, everyone is encouraged to join the conversation that is happening in the media, in our communities, and around the world. The goal of SAAM is to raise awareness and understanding about sexual assault and what we can do to help prevent it.
Get involved
- Access the SAAM toolkit for newsletter and social media messages, digital signage, email signatures, printable Denim Day stickers and posters.
- For a Vancouver calendar of SAAM events, visit ubc.ca/saam.
- For Okanagan events, visit ok.ubc.ca/saam.html.
Key events you can attend
- Jan. 15: SAAM Keynote, featuring guest speaker Farrah Khan
- Jan. 17: Denim Day, an opportunity to show your support for ending sexual assault on campus and world-wide
- Jan. 25: Parenting Tips, a free session on how to talk to your kids about sexual health, facilitated by certified sexual health educator Miranda Massie
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, or to learn how you can support survivors, please contact:
- UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office
- Counselling services through UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Thank you for helping to create an inclusive and respectful culture at UBC.
Suicide Awareness Day (Jan. 31) & QPR Suicide Prevention Training (Feb. 6)
Jan. 31 marks UBC’s eighth annual Suicide Awareness Day. On this day, and year-round, we encourage everyone to reach out for support if you need it and come together to help save lives. To show your support, visit http://thrive.ubc.ca.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training: Feb. 6
QPR Suicide Prevention Training is an internationally recognized suicide prevention 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.
Our next QPR training will be Feb. 6, 2018, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Register for this course.
12th Annual Walkabout Challenge Begins Jan. 22
Jan. 22 marks the beginning of the 12th annual Walkabout challenge, a partnership between the Faculty of Education, UBC Rec, and Human Resources.
Walkabout is an annual nine-week health and wellbeing challenge promoting regular exercise in social settings. Everyone at UBC is welcome to join a team or register as an individual ($10/person).
Learn more about the challenge at http://walkabout.educ.ubc.ca.
Travelling Health Fair 2018: Feb. 13-23
Feb. 13-23, 2018, is the annual Travelling Health Fair for UBC staff and faculty. This free mobile health clinic offers one-on-one health assessments and consultations. Visit our registration catalog to register for a heart health screening.
Can’t make one of our events? Check out the Virtual Health Fair online health assessments.
Reminder: Search Inside Yourself Training Program: Jan. 15-16, 2018
In support of UBC’s commitment to workplace health and wellbeing, we are offering a unique professional development opportunity to UBC staff and faculty at the Vancouver campus.
Developed at Google and founded in neuroscience, Search Inside Yourself (SIY) is a unique training program that uses emotional intelligence and mindfulness to optimize performance, build leadership skills and increase wellbeing.
Program Details
- Two-day in-person cohort-based training taught by SIY-certified instructors (Jan. 15-16, 2018, at the Vancouver campus)
- Four weeks of follow-up exercises, content and cohort conversations via email (approx. mid-January to mid-February)
- One-hour debrief session via webinar to integrate learning, answer questions and provide direction going forward (approx. late February)
Registration Information
- Cost: $50 per person (eligible for PD funding)
- Registration deadline: Jan. 5, 2018
- Register online
For more information, including program benefits and what’s included in the program, visit the Search Inside Yourself webpage.
Search Inside Yourself Training Program (starting January 2018)
In support of UBC’s commitment to workplace health and wellbeing, HR is offering a unique professional development opportunity to UBC faculty and staff at the Vancouver campus.
Developed at Google and founded in neuroscience, Search Inside Yourself (SIY) is a unique training program that uses emotional intelligence and mindfulness to optimize performance, build leadership skills and increase wellbeing. The SIY program consists of:
- Two-day in-person cohort-based training taught by SIY-certified instructors (Jan. 15-16, 2018, at the Vancouver campus)
- Four weeks of follow-up exercises, content and cohort conversations via email (approx. mid-January to mid-February)
- One-hour debrief session via webinar to integrate learning, answer questions and provide direction going forward (approx. late February)
Cost: $50 per person (eligible for PD funding). Registration deadline: Jan. 5, 2018.
Spots are limited and are filled on a first come, first served basis. Register now!
For more information, including program benefits and what’s included in the cost of the program, visit the Search Inside Yourself webpage.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training: Dec. 11, 2017
QPR Training is an internationally recognized suicide prevention program designed to help you question, persuade and refer. QPR acts as an emergency mental health intervention that is designed to save lives, much like CPR or other methods of emergency medical intervention. Learn to 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. Suicide is preventable
Our next QPR training session is Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
At this training, you will learn:
- How to get help for yourself;
- Tools and skills on how to prevent suicide;
- Common causes and warning signs of suicidal behaviour;
- How to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone at risk;
- How to get help for someone in crisis; and
- Familiarity with referral resources both on and off campus.
Reminder: Special Mental Health Funding Available: Apply by This Friday!
The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) provides funding support for UBC departments and units that promote wellbeing in the workplace. In October, additional funds were secured and are currently available for a special one-time round of HWIP funding specific to mental health initiatives.
Your department or unit can apply for up to a maximum of $3,000. Funds received should support training that provides key information and tools for understanding mental health issues, increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma or building individual resilience skills.
If you are interested in bringing mental health training or education programs to your department or unit, please apply by Dec. 1, 2017 – this Friday! For more information, visit the HWIP webpage.
Special Mental Health Funding Available: Apply by Dec. 1
In October, additional Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) funds were secured for a special, one-time disbursement to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. The funds can be used to support training that provides key information and tools for understanding mental health issues, increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma or building individual resilience skills.
If you know of a UBC department or unit that would benefit from HWIP funding, please encourage them to apply by Dec. 1, 2017. For more info, visit the HWIP webpage.
Office Ergo Rep Training: Dec. 19, 2017
The Ergonomics program at UBC strives to have an Office Ergonomics Representative for each department. We provide the training (three hours) and material required for reps to promote, educate and ensure musculoskeletal health in their departments.
Office Ergo Reps are trained by the Ergonomics Advisor in simple computer workstation set-up, signs and symptoms of injuries from poor ergonomic set-up and control strategies to reduce or prevent symptoms.
At this training, Office Ergo Rep participants will learn:
- Basic Ergonomic Risk Factors
- Proper Computer Workstation Set-Up
- How to conduct ergonomic assessment for minor issues as well as a quick screen for new hires
- Participants will also be provided with training material which can be relayed to colleagues
Course Information
Office Ergo Rep Training
Dec. 19, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Tech Enterprise Facilities III, Room 610 [map]
Register online
Questions? Please contact our Ergonomics Advisor.
Thrive 2017 is Oct. 30 – Nov. 3
Thrive is a mindset and a week-long series of events focused on building positive mental health for everyone at UBC. This year, Thrive Week is Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, 2017.
Participate In Thrive!
There are many Thrive events taking place this year, and we encourage you to take in which events you can. See a full list of the week’s events here.
Key Events
Oct. 30: Attend the Thrive Kick-Off Celebration
- Come by the Thrive tents at Lee Square (outside the UBC Bookstore) and help yourself to free coffee and snacks. You’ll also have a chance to listen to free music, enjoy the company of your UBC community, and ask questions about Thrive and mental health.
Oct. 30 – Nov. 3 (daily): Natural Wellness Garden Tours
- Tour through the 80 acre Botanical Garden for some forest bathing, view the medicinal garden and breathe in the best oxygen on campus! Meet at the UBC Botanical Garden – 6803 SW Marine Drive.
Nov. 2 (10:00-12:00 p.m.): Pop-up Wellness Lounge: Staff & Faculty
- Come by a Pop-up Wellness Lounge at during Thrive week for a hot chocolate and tasty treat! You’ll have a chance to take a break, connect with others, and ask questions about Thrive and mental health. (Location: Wellbeing Design Lab (2nd floor), CIRS)
Join the #LetsThriveUBC Social Media Challenge
- Unable to make one of the events? Participate in the #LetsThriveUBC Social Media Challenge by posting the ways that you thrive each day of the week.
Flu Clinics (Oct. 31 – Nov. 9, 2017)
Boost your wellbeing and promote a healthy campus by getting your free flu shot – it is your best protection against the flu. Free clinics will be offered at the Vancouver campus Oct. 31 – Nov. 9, and are open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Clinics start at 8:00 a.m. and run continuously until 4:00 p.m.
Locations:
The Nest (Atrium)
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday, Oct. 31
- Wednesday, Nov. 1
- Tuesday, Nov. 7
Life Sciences Centre (West Atrium)
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday, Nov. 2
- Thursday, Nov. 9
The clinics will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember to bring your BC Services Card/BC CareCard. For more information, visit rms.ubc.ca/flu.
Mindfulness@Work Six-Week Program Begins Nov. 7, 2017
Mindfulness@Work is an in-person educational program modelling off Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). MBSR is an evidence-based training that reduces stress, cultivates physical & mental health and promotes wellbeing. Mindfulness is a basic human quality, a way of learning how to pay wise attention to whatever is happening in your life in the moment. The practice of mindfulness reduces reactivity and promotes greater connection inwardly and outwardly.
Mindfulness@Work specifically focuses on integrating the practice of mindfulness in the workplace to promote effectiveness, teamwork, and communication.
Participating in Mindfulness@Work requires an ongoing commitment to your wellbeing. You will be asked to:
- attend all classes, including the one-day weekend retreat, and
- to practice daily home assignments for 15-30 minutes a day.
Fall 2017 – Point Grey
- Tuesdays, Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Dec. 5, 12: 9:00 – 10:15 .a.m
- Mandatory Retreat: Saturday, Dec. 2: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 registration fee (eligible for PD funding)
Visit our Mindfulness@Work page for more information and to register.
ShakeOut BC (Oct. 19, 2017)
Get ready to ShakeOut BC: Oct. 19, 10:19 a.m.
Participate in the 2017 Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill by practicing DROP! COVER! HOLD ON! Wait for the shaking to stop and count to 60 to allow time for debris to fall, before moving. If you’re outside, stay outside. If you’re inside, stay inside, unless there is a fire or the building is in danger of collapsing. If you’re in a moving vehicle, stop in a clear area, away from falling debris, and stay inside the vehicle. ShakeOut BC is a timely annual reminder for everyone to learn the risks, get prepared, and make a plan in the event of an earthquake.
To learn more about how you can prepare for an earthquake, please visit http://rms.ubc.ca/emergency/emergency-procedures/earthquake/.
30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge Starts Oct. 16 – Free for UBC Employees
The 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge focuses on the core skills of mindfulness through evidence-based online training, teaching mindfulness-in-action for everyday life. Participants have found that the challenge helps reduce stress, while increasing joy and peak performance in all areas of life including leadership, interpersonal communication, conflict management, and decision-making in the workplace.
This year, the 30-Day challenge is free for UBC employees. The fall session runs Oct. 16 – Nov. 14, 2017.
Register at https://survey.ubc.ca/s/30DayChallengeRegistration/.
Earthquake Preparedness at UBC
This October, Risk Management Services invites you to focus on emergency preparedness, through two events on campus: IBC Shake Zone and ShakeOut BC. Practice what to do when an earthquake strikes, and once the shaking stops. Learn more about emergency preparedness and what to do in the event of an earthquake.
Ride the IBC Shake Zone Earthquake Simulator: Oct. 10 & 11, University Commons
UBC Risk Management Services has invited the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) to set-up a portable earthquake simulator on Main Mall Plaza, by the AMS Student Nest. The Shake Zone is a portable earthquake simulator for riders to experience the “intensity” of a large earthquake. Riders in the simulator will experience about 25 seconds of motion.
Get ready to ShakeOut BC: Oct. 19, 10:19 a.m.
Participate in the 2017 Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill by practicing DROP! COVER! HOLD ON! Wait for the shaking to stop and count to 60 to allow time for debris to fall, before moving. If you’re outside, stay outside. If you’re inside, stay inside, unless there is a fire or the building is in danger of collapsing. If you’re in a moving vehicle, stop in a clear area, away from falling debris, and stay inside the vehicle. ShakeOut BC is a timely annual reminder for everyone to learn the risks, get prepared, and make a plan in the event of an earthquake.
We all have a role in making our campus safe. Be pro-active, and learn more about emergency preparedness at rms.ubc.ca/emergency.
October is Ergonomics Month
Ergonomics play an important role in our safety and wellbeing. The proper ergonomic design of work spaces at UBC can minimize the risk of a wide range of injuries – from eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome, to persistent neck or back pain.
UBC’s Ergonomics Program has resources & workshops available free of charge for all staff and faculty. Please share this information with staff and faculty in your departments.
Workshops:
- Ergo Your Office Training (One hour): Next session on Oct. 25
- Introductions to Sit-Stand Desks (One hour): Next session on Oct. 17
- Office Ergo Rep Training (Three hours): Next session on Oct. 17
More information & registration is available online
Online Resources:
- Office Ergonomics
- Lab Ergonomics
- Ergonomic Regulations, Inspections & Investigations
- Manual Material Handling Ergonomics
- Child Care Ergonomics: a joint project with UBC & WSBC