Thrive Week at Laurier shines light on mental health awareness and well-being

What do carnival games, yoga sessions and art therapy have in common?

They are all activities scheduled during the annual Thrive Week at Wilfrid Laurier University’s campuses Oct. 21-26 in support of mental health awareness and well-being.

Developed at the University of British Columbia in 2009, Thrive is a week-long series of events focused on mental health, raising awareness of and education about well-being and promoting strategies to build resilience. Laurier is one of 11 post-secondary institutions in Canada that offer Thrive-inspired programming.

“Thrive Week is all about building resiliency and connectedness among students and staff at Laurier,” says Jodie Lockey-Duesling, wellness education coordinator at Laurier’s Branford campus. “Thrive is also a mindset, one where people prosper or flourish. At Laurier, we want our community to thrive and strengthening our awareness for mental health is one way to achieve that.”

All events are free for Laurier students. Pre-registration is not required.

What’s Going On Where for Thrive Week 2018

A number of exciting events and activities are scheduled across Laurier. Below is a selection of highlighted events happening on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses. Visit the Wellness Education page for a complete listing of Thrive Week events.

You can also find the Brantford campus Wellness Centre and the Waterloo campus Wellness Centre on Facebook.

Brantford Campus Events

Prizes are available to Brantford campus students for participating in Thrive Week events in person and on social media using the hashtag #LBThriveWeek. Attending events also counts towards credit in BF290 and your Laurier Experience Record.

Meditation in the Indigenous Student Centre: Monday, Oct. 24, 2-3 p.m.

Join Michelle Thomas of Laurier’s Indigenous Student Centre for a guided meditation session. No previous experience required.

Meditation with Muse Headbands: Monday, Oct. 24, 3-4 p.m., SC Johnson Building, room 210

Muse headbands are a wearable technology that can sense whether your mind is calm or active, helping to guide you through a meditative experience through sound. Each student will have approximately 10 minutes to use the headband.

Thrive Carnival: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., RCW Lobby

Step right up for wellness-inspired carnival fun with free food and refreshments, games, prizes, mini how-to workshop stations and giveaways. All departments at Laurier’s Brantford campus have contributed to this event; you don’t want to miss it.

Workout Wednesday: Oct. 24, Laurier Brantford-YMCA

Physical activity is proven to contribute to overall well-being. Check out the physical activity sessions in the new Laurier Brantford-YMCA:

• Muscle Fit workshop, 9:15-10 a.m., Studio B
• Learn to Salsa class, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Studio A

Free smoothies will be available in the Hawk’s Nest from 4-5 p.m.

Soup and Fry Bread Lunch: Thursday, Oct. 25, noon-1 p.m., Indigenous Student Centre

Nothing warms the soul like a bowl of soup, right? Head over to the Indigenous Student Centre for a complimentary bowl of soup and a piece of fry bread.

Pumpkin Carving: Thursday, Oct. 25, 4-5:30 p.m., Laurier International Student Centre

Get in the fall spirit with a pumpkin-carving workshop courtesy of Laurier International. Pumpkins, carving tools and decorative items will be provided; you just need to bring your creativity and enthusiasm.

Inside Out Movie Screening: Friday, Oct. 26, 2-4 p.m., Carnegie Building, room 100

Get comfy and grab some snacks (popcorn and pizza on us) for Disney Pixar’s Inside Out, a fun movie about emotions and emotional regulation.

Thrive Gratitude Wall: Friday, Oct. 26, all day, RCW chalkboard

What are you most grateful for? How do you show gratitude? Share your tips, strategies or inspirational quotes with the Laurier Brantford campus community on the RCW chalkboard wall.

Questions about Thrive Week events at Laurier’s Brantford campus can be sent to Jodie Lockey-Duesling at jlockeyduesling@wlu.ca.

Waterloo Campus Events

Thrive Week at Laurier’s Waterloo campus kicks off Sunday, Oct. 21 with glow-in-the-dark zumba in the Athletic Complex’s multipurpose room from 7-8 p.m. Come in your athletic wear and we’ll supply all you need get your glow on.

Smoothie and Trail Mix Station: Monday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m., Athletic Complex Lobby

Fuel your Monday morning with a delicious fruit smoothie and a side of trail mix compliments of Laurier’s Athletics and Recreation department. Vegan and dairy-free options will be available.

Mental Health Resource Fair: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Concourse

Ten campus and community vendors and student groups will be on site to share health and wellness-related resources and information with you. Bring a friend, walk through and pick up some tips to help you truly thrive while at Laurier.

Self Care and Resiliency Workshop: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10-11 a.m., Wellness Education Centre

Taking care of ourselves is so important but sometimes we put our personal wellness on the back burner when life gets busy with friends, schoolwork or activities. Join Sherrie Steinberg from the Wellness Centre for a workshop about how everyday habits can impact your sense of well-being and your ability to cope throughout student life.

Pop-Up Art Therapy: Thursday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-noon, Martin Luther University College (meet in main lobby)

Calling all creative types! Explore the power of creative expression during a drop-in art therapy workshop offered by the Delton Glebe Counselling Centre.

Fresh Fruit Friday: Friday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Wellness Education

Centre Start your Friday off right by stopping by the Wellness Education Centre (around the corner from Veritas Café) to help yourself to a free piece of fruit courtesy of the Student Wellness Centre (while supplies last).

Meditation with Muse Headbands: Friday, Oct. 26, 1-2:30 p.m., Athletic Complex Multipurpose Room

Muse headbands are a wearable technology that can sense whether your mind is calm or active, helping to guide you through a meditative experience through sound. Each student will have approximately 10 minutes to use the headband.

For more information about Thrive Week events at Laurier’s Waterloo campus, please contact Nathan Reeve at nreeve@wlu.ca.