Thrive - Exploring Paths to Mental Health

Thrive is an initiative focused on helping Camosun students, faculty and staff explore their path to mental health. All Thrive events will be posted here, so please check back to see what events are happening around campus.

 

Thrive Week - May 29 to June 2, 2023

Thrive Week is a college-wide initiative to promote mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and create a healthy campus for employees and students. During the event, hosted one time each intake, special activities are offered to the Camosun community.  

Thrive week banner with no dates (Placeholder)

 

You are invited to exercise aspects of mental health and wellness during Thrive Week. Learn about the resources available to you as a student and try a different activity each day. You may find something that works great for you and maybe create a new healthy routine.

Day 1: Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness refers to the aspect of well-being that relates to our sense of connection to something larger than ourselves, such as a higher power, nature, or a deeper sense of purpose or meaning. Spiritual wellness can be expressed in many different ways, depending on an individual's beliefs and experiences.

Resources: Camosun Counselling, Fitness and Recreation Yoga Classes, and Prayer and Meditation Space

Activity: Try a quick mindful breathing exercise (Anxiety Canada). Mindful breathing can reduce stress, increase alertness, and even boost your immune system.

 

Day 2: Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness refers to the ability to understand, express, and manage one's emotions in a healthy and constructive way. Emotional wellness involves developing skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and effective communication. It also involves being able to cope with stress and adversity in a way that promotes resilience and adaptability.

Resource:  Camosun Counselling

Activity: Try a guided meditation/muscle relaxation (Anxiety Canada). Meditating for a short time each day can ground you and give you a sense of calm and peace.

 

Day 3: Relational Wellness

Relational wellness refers to the quality of our social connections and relationships with others and is important for all people’s sense of well-being and fulfillment in life.  Research has shown that people who have strong and positive relationships tend to have better mental and physical health outcomes, experience less stress and anxiety, and have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Resources: CCSS Clubs, Pride Collective, Fitness and Recreation Classes, and Conversation Circles

Activity: Did you know daily journaling helps encourage self-confidence, improves your mental health overall, and boosts emotional intelligence? Try out these Journal Prompts.

 

Day 4: Physical Wellness

Physical wellness refers to the state of one's physical health and fitness. It encompasses the ability to engage in activities of daily living without undue fatigue or physical stress, as well as maintaining a healthy balance of nutrition, rest, and exercise. This often results in positive impacts on mental health, such as reducing stress and improving mood.

Resources: Fitness and Recreation, Student Benefits Plan, Massage Therapy Clinic, Dental Clinic, and Athletic Therapy Clinic

Activity: Exercise with Thrive! Fitness at Home videos (Choose from HIIT with Joel, Abs with Jenna, Yoga with Beth, and Cardio Blast with Jenna).

 

Day 5: Reaching Out

It is never a bad time to reach out for help. Ignoring or neglecting mental health issues can lead to worsening symptoms and greater distress, making it more difficult to manage symptoms in the future. Seeking help can lead to an improvement in overall well-being and quality of life.

Resource: Camosun Counselling and Office of Student Support (Sexual and Gender-based Violence Support)

Activity: Complete this brief questionnaire to determine when speaking to someone may be beneficial for you. Afterward, unwind and destress by enjoying the mandala coloring sheet.

 

Mental Well-being Resources

For Students

Camosun College has a variety of services and supports to help students:

Full list of student services.

For Employees

Healthy Together! has gathered a library of resources to help support you and your mental wellbeing during Thrive Week and beyond.  These resources include: