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Welcome to Healthy UBC

Here is what we have on offer this month.

Don't forget to share this edition with your colleagues and encourage them to subscribe.
Team working on landscaping a garden at a research outpost in Williams Lake BC

Submit an application to the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Fund Program

Do you have an idea for improving wellbeing in your workplace? You can now access up to $3,000 from our Healthy Wellbeing Initiaves Program (HWIP).

Choose from nine different HWIP categories, from art initiatives to team health challenges to community gardens. We even have a category for innovative ideas we haven't thought of yet! Applications are open until 5 pm on Monday, April 7.

Learn more

Workplace wellbeing event highlights
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Three individuals sitting looking at laptops with a whiteboard in the background

Re-Work workshop series | March 11, 13, 18 and 20

During this series, you will challenge traditional thinking around productivity and learn practical steps to lean into rest, reclaim creativity, and shape a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to work.

This four-part workshop series — available to all faculty and staff at both campuses — will help you explore ways to pursue your professional goals sustainably.

  • Tue. March 11 | Thur. March 13 | Tue. March 18 | Thur. March 20
  • 10:30 am–12 pm (all sessions)
  • Via Zoom

Attendance at all workshops in the series is not required. However, we highly recommend attending all sessions to maximize your learning experience.

Enrol today
Two individuals sitting on a bench at the UBC Vancouver rose garden

Preventing compassion fatigue and burnout

Compassion fatigue describes the emotional and physical exhaustion that can result from caring for others. Burnout is the broader experience of chronic workplace stress characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment.

This workshop will help you identify and address signs and symptoms of these two challenges in the workplace. 

  • Wednesday, March 26
  • 10 am–11 am
  • Zoom

Enrol today
Two people reviewing a laptop, one standing the other sitting pointing at the laptop.

Practical strategies for addressing grief 

Imagine your coworker has just experienced a significant loss and is returning to work. How do you support them in their transition back into the work environment? What do you say? What do you do?

This workshop will help you identify and compassionately address grief in the workplace.   

  • Friday, March 28, 2025 
  • 11 am–12 pm
  • Zoom

Enrol today 
A group of participants from the 2024 faculty and staff sports day pose in costumes holding signs and cheering

Save the date: Faculty & Staff Sports Day is back on Friday, May 2 

We had 180+ teams compete in the 2024 edition of Faculty & Staff Sports Day, and we hope to see even more in the 15th edition on Friday, May 2, on both campuses.

Registration will open on Tuesday, March 18 and will be open until April 23 for UBCV and April 25 for UBCO. Keep an eye on Healthy UBC next month for all the details!
Fruit and vegetables for sale at the UBC Famers market

Benefit focus: Access a dietitian during Nutrition Month

March is Nutrition Month in Canada. At UBC, eligible faculty, staff, and their dependents can connect with a dietitian for free through our Employee and Family Assistance Program. If you have a more complex case, you can use your Extended Health Benefits to connect with a registered dietitian. 

Learn more
Four females, walking arm in arm along a beach, smiling

Navigating Menopause panel: webinar recording now available

Our panel with Dr. Melanie Atlas and Dr. Lori Brotto on navigating the physical and emotional aspects of menopause was incredibly popular, so we're sharing the webinar recording!

Learn about myths and misconceptions, the potential impacts of menopause in the workplace and creative endeavours, and the UBC benefits available to faculty and staff experiencing menopause.

Revisit the recording

Research highlight

To finish this edition, we share a story highlighting health and wellbeing research emanating from UBC.
Dr. Sophia Frangou (centre) with research scientist Dr. Ruiyang Ge (left) and PhD student Yuetong Yu (right).

Personalized solutions for youth mental health disorders

Using advanced brain imaging and computational tools, Dr. Sophia Frangou and her team are charting a path toward earlier and more precise interventions for bipolar disorder and other mental health issues.

Early intervention and prevention strategies are urgently needed, and UBC is at the forefront of a transformative new approach — personalized interventions based on brain imaging.

Learn more
Headshot: Amanda Swoboda

Thanks for reading!

We are featuring sign-offs from our Healthy UBC editorial team; consider it a chance to see the people behind the stories. This edition is brought to you by: 

Amanda Swoboda | Wellbeing Specialist | Workplace Health and Wellbeing Human Resources

Food is an important part of my self-care. With spring on the horizon, I am looking forward to my favorite self-care activity: the picnic! It’s a glorious way to slow down time, relax in beautiful, natural surroundings, indulge in delicious food and enjoy a deep connection with good company. So many wellbeing elements in one experience! My picnic pro-tip is to treat yourself to foods that make adventurous and complimentary pairings when combined so that you find yourself saying (and savoring), "Try this with that!"

Food is also a powerful way to build caring communities, and there are many ways to get involved. One way our department gives back is by participating in a food drive for the Student Union Pantry every December.

We know nutrition is a pillar of health. If there are changes in your health status or activity levels, or if you want to set or maintain wellbeing goals, the UBC EFAP Work Health and Life Services offers health and nutrition coaching, and the Extended Health Plan has 80% coverage for licensed dieticians.

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