Thrive Month – Explore your path to mental health

Published on Jan 26, 2022

Come together as an NIC community to learn about, talk about and explore ways to support our mental health. 

Date: Feb 1, 2022 - Feb 28, 2022
Location: Varies. Check the event list below for details.
Cost: Free

While looking after your health is a year-round task, NIC is filling February with activities and opportunities for you to learn more about how to support your well-being and thrive.

Thrive is a way to

  • Celebrate community
  • Encourage self-care
  • Promote mental health literacy

Thrive at NIC will include a mixture of online and in-person events and activities to encourage participation from across the NIC region.

Mental health wellness may look and feel different for each of us. Learn how to manage everyday stresses, enjoy a free hot lunch, start a conversation about well-bring or take part in free online yoga. Whatever you need to thrive, NIC invites you to learn, share and explore it during the month of February. 

Check out the event list below to learn more.

 

Tue, Feb. 1

 1-3 pm Online Preventing & Responding to Sexual Violence Workshops: Active Bystander Intervention Workshop 

Every Tuesday in February 

 8 am-4 pm In-person, all campuses Treat Tuesday: Treats and bookmarks given away at the NIC library
Wed, Feb. 2 

11 am-12:30 pm

In-person, Comox Valley campus 

 Shine Your Light - Lantern Making 

Every Thursday in February

 4:30-5:30 pm Online FREE Yoga 

Thursdays starting Feb. 10

 6-7:15 pm In-person, Comox Valley FREE Sports Night

Mon, Feb. 7

 11 am-1:30 pm  In-person FREE Soup Lunch with NISU – Port Alberni Campus

Tue, Feb. 8

 4:30-5:30 pm Online Maker Space

Tue, Feb. 8

 11 am-1:30 pm In-person FREE Soup Lunch with NISU – Campbell River Campus

TBA

 TBA Postponed FREE Soup Lunch with NISU – Comox Valley Campus

Fri, Feb. 11

 10 am-12 pm Online Starting a Conversation about Mental Health Workshop: Foundation Training for Students

Mon, Feb. 14 – Fri, Feb. 18

 Varies Online Living Library

Cancelled

 - - Movie Night

Wed, Feb. 16

 12-1 pm Online Be Heard by NIC President Dr. Lisa Domae and The Leadership Team

Fri, Feb. 18

 12-1pm In-person, Comox Valley campus The Letting Go Tree

Mon, Feb. 21 – Fri, Feb. 25

 All week   Winter Reading Break

More on This Story

Background

The Thrive initiative was started by the University of British Columbia and adopted by many post-secondary institutions across Canada.

NIC held its first Thrive Week in January of 2019 and since then we have continued to adapt this initiative to best suit the needs of our community.

This year we are excited to announce that we will be celebrating two month-long Thrive programs, one in October 2021 and one in February 2022.

“Mental health and well-being are key factors in student success, so we want to offer students an opportunity to make mental health and well-being a priority,” says Felicity Blaiklock, NIC director, student affairs. “Our two Thrive Months will include a variety of events and activities on all our campuses, in addition to some virtual opportunities, all with the goal of promoting positive mental health and overall well-being.”

Coordination of Thrive Month is being led by NIC’s well-being strategist, Rachel Birch. This position was created in the winter of 2021 to support wellness initiatives on all campuses and demonstrates NIC’s commitment to mental health and well-being. As a further demonstration of NIC’s commitment to promoting and enhancing mental health and well-being, in May2020, NIC formally adopted the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. NIC is currently developing a mental health and well-being strategic plan - CARE²: Student Mental Health and Well-Being at NIC.