November is Thrive Month, a time when we come together as a UBC community to learn about, talk about, and explore ways to support our mental health. This time holds great significance for our graduate student community at UBC.
Balancing academic pursuits, personal growth and mental health can be a challenging and daunting task, but with the Thrive 5 themes as our guide, we hope to help students navigate their path with resilience and grace. It’s easy to neglect well-being during demanding times, but we hope that Thrive Month is a transformative experience that allows time to focus on individual success and uplift the collective spirit of our graduate community here at UBC.
Remember the Thrive 5
Saying Hi: Connecting socially with others can help support your mental health, whether that is with family, friends or your peers. Check out MyCommunity to chat with other graduate students on campus.
Giving Back: Doing good can help you feel good. Volunteer to help a neighbour, become active in a local group or engage in UBC's annual United Way campaign.
Sleeping Soundly: It can be tough to get a good night’s sleep, but sleeping better will improve not only your mental but your physical health. Try shutting off electronic devices before bedtime to help relax, or using a sound machine.
Moving More: Improve your mood and relieve stress by incorporating more movement into your day. Simple stretches, taking the stairs, or parking farther away can help you re-energize and feel better.
Eating Well: Nourishing food fuels your body and mind, and can help maintain your mental and physical health. Check out the UBC Food Hub website for tips, financial support resources and more.
Attend an event
Introduction to Lightwork Meditation
Meditation is a great way to release worry, anxiety and stress - and come back to a calm headspace. Join for a lunchtime class to learn practical techniques.
Nov. 15, 12 to 1 pm
Thrive Research Roundtable
"Creating Caring Communities: Exploring the Future of Social Wellbeing and Mental Health at UBC and Beyond" will feature leading researchers discussing critical themes of mental health and social wellbeing.
Nov. 21, 10 am to 12 pm
Plant and Paint a promise
Discover self-care through creativity by choosing a plant to pot, painting and personalizing your pot, and setting self-care as a commitment while you work on your potted plant. Limited plants available, arrive early.
Nov. 22, 6:30 to 8 pm
Find other Thrive month events to support your health and wellbeing.
Get support
Thriving in Grad School Support Group
If you are feeling overwhelmed or challenged with your work-life balance, the Thriving in Grad School support group is an in-person support group for graduate students to connect with each other in a non-judgemental and welcoming space.
Meets every Wednesday from 3 to 4:15 pm, on Vancouver campus. Sessions are standalone, attend as many or as few as you like.
Health supports
If you’re a UBC graduate student seeking mental health support, there are a number of options available to you. We encourage you to visit the Health, Wellbeing and Safety page on our site for more information.