We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Thrive
Thrive is a weeklong series of free events to build positive mental health on campus!
The Student Wellness Centre works with partners across the university to bring students a week of workshops, social events, giveaways and more, all dedicated to supporting your mental health! Thrive runs every October and March on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Laurier Human Resources also coordinates Thrive activities for faculty and staff.
The goals of Thrive is to:
- Improve mental health literacy: the understanding of how to obtain and maintain positive mental health with healthy habits and self-care skills.
- Foster a caring, supportive community.
- Promote the resources to help you Thrive as student.
- Encourage a proactive, preventative approach to your wellness.
Why Participate in Thrive?
Your mental health matters! Mental health IS health. You cannot excel if you are not well. Thriving might look differently for everyone. No matter where you are in your journey, whether you are thriving or surviving, we are here to support you and your wellness. We want to help you explore your path to mental wellbeing, so you can Thrive at Laurier!
Winter 2023 Schedule
Thrive Week will return March 6 to 11, 2023! Stay tuned for the schedule which will be announced in February!
Fall 2022 Schedule
Thrive Week ran October 24 to 28, 2022! Check out our events below!
Fitness Class: Glow in the Dark Cyclefit
8 to 8:45 a.m. | Waterloo: Cycle Studio, Athletic Complex | Drop-In
Join the party with Athletics and Recreation for Glow-in-the-Dark Cyclefit! This free event is open to all students, and no sign-up is required. Make sure you wear white to glow!
Hosted by: Athletics & Recreation
Pancake Breakfast
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Waterloo: Concourse | Drop-In
Thrive Week kicks off in Waterloo with a Pancake Breakfast located in the Concourse of Fred Nichols Campus Centre! Pancakes will be served starting at 9am until supplies lasts. We will have gluten free breakfast options and warm beverages. Pancakes will be served by Pamela Cant, Chief HR and Equity Officer and Ivan Joseph, Vice President Student Affairs. Students, faculty and staff are all welcome, drop by and say hello, and enjoy a free breakfast!
Hosted by: Human Resources and The Student Wellness Centre
Breakfast Bar
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Brantford: One Market Kitchen | Drop-In
Thrive Week kicks off in Brantford with a Breakfast Bar! There will be delicious bagels, with a variety of spreads, muffins, and more. Come say hello to Tony Araujo, interim Senior Executive Officer & Assistant Vice-President: Campus Operations & Risk Management and Adam Lawrence, the Dean of Students. We will also have gluten free breakfast options and warm beverages. We will also have Thrive gifts, while supplies last. Students, faculty and staff are all welcome, drop by and enjoy a free breakfast!
Hosted by: Human Resources and The Student Wellness Centre
Fitness Class: Dumbbell Series
1 to 1:45 p.m. | Brantford: LBYMCA | Drop-In
LBYMCA will be hosting fitness workshops to introduce students to fitness and help teach them different exercises they can incorporate into their workouts. These two workshops will focus on exercises that can be completed with dumbbells only. On Monday at 1 p.m. we will focus on the upper body and Wednesday at 7 p.m. we will focus on the lower body. Meet us on the second floor of the LBYMCA by the chairs.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Self-Care and Mindfulness
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Peters 119 | Drop-In
The Skill-Building Modules for Anxiety and Depression is a series of in-person workshops that will help you learn skills to manage anxiety and depression. Self-Care and Mindfulness is one of the four modules, which can be taken in any order. This workshop is for Waterloo campus students only, and it counts toward the Wellness Education Certificate.
Sensory Kit Giveaway
2 to 3 p.m. | Waterloo: Concourse
Stop by our booth in the concourse to pick up your own sensory kit. Each kit contains items relate to touch, taste, smell, sight and sound that will help you self-soothe during times of stress. *While supplies last*
Hosted by: The Dean of Students Office
Plenty of Support
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Waterloo: P111 | Drop-In
In need of some mo-TEA-vation? Come get a free cup of tea from the Peer Wellness Educators! While you get your tea you can a take a message of encouragement or a wellness tip written by another student and write your own message to spread some positivi-TEA to another Golden Hawk! The Peer Wellness Educators can also support you by answering any questions you have about wellness resources and services available on campus.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Graduate Student Wellness Hub Drop-In
4 to 6 p.m. | Brantford: Wellnes Hub, One Market | Drop-In
Join Claire, Wellness Education Coordinator, to learn more about the Student Wellness Centre's programs and services. Test out the massage chairs, have a snack, leave a message on our chalk wall, or leave your mark on the map. Please note, this event is for graduate students on the Brantford campus.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Suicide Intervention (for Weirdos, Freaks and Queers)
5:30 to 8 p.m. | Zoom |Register in advance
This is an intro-level workshop for folks who want to build and share skills around supporting people who are suicidal. This is not a certification course- it's an opportunity to gather and share what we know about supporting suicidal friends and community members, in a structured way. We will discuss commonly held beliefs about suicide and suicide intervention, and how those impact folks seeking support. We will then name, describe, and practice some concrete skills and tools to use in conversations with folks struggling with suicidal feelings or impulses. There will not be any role playing, and participation in all activities is voluntary. Some of the questions we will be exploring include: what are my beliefs about suicide, and how might those impact how I react to someone else feeling suicidal? How do I know if someone i care about is thinking about ending their life? What are the wrong things to say? Is suicidal thinking always an emergency? What if the emergency services that exist don't feel like safe options? How do I know what my boundaries are, and how do I talk about them with someone in crisis? This event is open to all Laurier students, however there is limited capacity. Please email questions or accessibility requests to lburrows@wlu.ca.
Hosted by: The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Everyday Mindfulness
6:30 to 7 p.m. | Waterloo: P111 or Teams | Drop-In
In Everyday Mindfulness, you will learn and practice a number of techniques that you can use in a variety of situations in your everyday life. Join Normand as often as you wish for this half-hour mindfulness class on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Yoga Class
Noon to 12:45 p.m. | Waterloo: MPR, Athletic Complex | Drop-In
Unwind during our free yoga class held in the Athletic Complex.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Give What You Can, Take What You Need
1 to 3 p.m. | Waterloo: Arts Atrium | Drop-In
Come visit the Student Success Team in the Arts Atrium to share your top student success tips on a "Graffiti Wall", and pick up a free snack or highlighter! Or you can come to get some tips and resources. Give what you can, and take what you need! When we share advice, we all take care of one another!
Hosted by: Student Success
Self-Care and Resilience
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Learn how your habits can impact your sense of well-being and your ability to cope throughout the day. This workshop is open to students on all campuses, and counts as an elective in the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Make Your Own Trail Mix
2 to 4 p.m. | Waterloo: Concourse | Drop-In
Looking for a healthy snack? Stop by the Concourse to make your own trail mix!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Explore Who You Are
3 to 4 p.m. | Zoom | Drop-In
Do you love doing online quizzes? Learn more about yourself! An introduction to the assessments and activities we offer at the Career Centre to learn more about who you are, your passions, personality and values. Explore how learning about yourself can impact your choices and make the most of your time at Laurier and beyond! Facilitated by Jenn Hicks, Career Consultant
Hosted by: Career Development Centre
ASk Workshop - Read, Review, Repeat!
4 to 5 p.m. | Waterloo: P224 | Drop-In
Build the essential skills required to identify what, when and how to study and read academic texts! What to do before, during and after class. Other topics: Weekly Essentials - the value of regular review, The Forgetting Curve, Hard Copy VS Online Readings and more!
Hosted by: Student Success
Demystifying Mental Health as a Graduate Student
5 to 6 p.m.| Zoom | Register in advance
Join Claire, recent Laurier grad student and Wellness Education Coordinator, to learn about supporting your mental health as a graduate student. We will explore what exactly is mental health, using Keyes' two-continuum model, and how to support your mental well-being throughout your graduate school journey. This event requires registration and is open to graduate students on all campuses.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Finding Your Bliss
7 to 8 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Learn how to uncover your talents, find meaning through your work, passions, and utilize what brings you joy. Explore the intersections of spiritual and vocational wellness and how they impact our whole wellbeing. This workshop is led by Jessica, the Wellness Education Assistant, and Sarina, the Manager of Wellness Education and a Career Development Practitioner. This workshop is open to students on all campuses, and is one of the required workshops in the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Growing Your Strengths: Perseverance, Grit and Creating Habits
7 to 8 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
We are resilient in the activities that we love most, as we are able to find ways to overcome obstacles so that we can complete these activities. Attend this workshop to learn more about creating positive habits that will help you persist in achieving your long-term goals.
Hosted by: The Dean of Students Office and Student Success
Keynote Speaker - Mental Toughness and Stress Management
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Dr. Haley Perlus PhD, is our 2022 Thrive keynote speaker! In this training, Dr. Perlus will share specific tools and techniques to help you prevent unnecessary stress, prepare for the uncontrollable stress, and cope with the unexpected stress. She’ll share her expert knowledge of mental toughness training, resilience and stress management, and productivity techniques so you have specific actionable methods to incorporate immediately to enhance your daily performance, overall well being and happiness.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the key concepts of resilience and it’s impact on our daily lives
- Reflect and experience your purpose as powerful motivator for resiliency and positive behaviour change
- How to take specific action to be a resilient resilience, focus and drive.
Hosted by: Human Resources
Stud-TEA Break
10:30 to noon | Brantford: One Market Kitchen| Register in advance
Need a Stud-Tea break? Join us for an exclusive tea flight tasting from Steve's Teas. If you’re looking to try something new, or are just getting into tea, this event is for you. Not only will you have a chance to try unique tea flavours, but you'll also have a chance to meet new tea-loving friends and get a quick overview of the most effective study strategies from our team of Learning Consultants! Space is limited, register today to reserve your spot at the table!
Hosted by: The Dean of Students Office and Student Success
Nature Walk with Dogs
Noon to 12:50 p.m. | Waterloo and Brantford campus| Drop-In
Take a stress break and join some friendly pups and peers on a walk through the natural spaces around campus. This walk is great for our social, mental and physical wellness! Meet us at noon in the orchard between Martin Luther and the library on the Waterloo campus, or at the front entrance to One Market on the Brantford campus.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre and friends
Caffeine Cart
1 to 2:30 p.m. | Waterloo campus
Keep your eye out for the Caffeine Cart roaming around campus - it will be stocked with coffee, tea, water and goodies to give you that caffiene boost you need. Take a quick study break to meet the Dean of Students' Office team and learn how they can support you!
Hosted by: The Dean of Students Office
Food Justice Campus Tour
1 to 3 p.m. | Waterloo campus: Meet in the Quad
Do you believe everyone deserves proper access to food? Do you want to learn about community gardens on campus? Food is very connected to social justice, climate action and mental health. Join LSPIRG and The Sustainability Office for a guided tour where you will hear about the food systems at Laurier, how to reduce food waste on campus and ways to get involved. Access notes: There will be a slow pace and opportunities to sit along the way. There is a wheelchair accessible route to every stop but approaching the gardens involves uneven terrain. Please email karly@lspirg.org to discuss accessibility needs.
Hosted by: LSPIRG and The Sustainability Office
Managing Anxious and Depressive Feelings
1:30 to 3 p.m. | Brantford: SC Board 1 | Drop-In
Vibe Check: Managing Anxious and Depressive Feelings is a series of in-person workshops to help you understand and manage feelings of anxiety and depression. The five modules will show how these feelings and thoughts affect us and provide several tools to help manage them. You do not need to attend all five sessions, but it is encouraged. This is session two of five, focusing on mindfulness.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Fitness Class: Bootylicious
2 to 2:45 p.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex Studio 2 | Drop-In
Join Athletics and Recreation for an energizing, fun, free Bootylicious class! This moderate intensity class focuses on lower body muscular endurance, choreographed to the rhythms of popular music. All students are welcome, no sign-up required!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Growing Your Strengths: Perseverance, Grit and Creating Habits
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Waterloo: P224 | Register in advance
We are resilient in the activities that we love most, as we are able to find ways to overcome obstacles so that we can complete these activities. Attend this workshop to learn more about creating positive habits that will help you persist in achieving your long-term goals.
Hosted by: The Dean of Students Office and Student Success
Self-Care and Resilience
3 to 4 p.m. | Waterloo: Peters 119 | Drop-In
Drop in to learn how your habits can impact your sense of well-being and your ability to cope throughout the day. This workshop counts as an elective toward the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Paint, Plants and Peers
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Waterloo: Peters 111 | Drop-In
Come get creative with the Peer Wellness Educators! Take an hour to destress by painting a clay pot and getting to know your peers. At the end of the event, you'll get an indoor plant to take home in your newly decorated pot. Note: Supplies are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
ASk Workshop - I Failed, Now What?
4 to 5 p.m. | Zoom | Drop-In
When all else fails, think about your thinking! this workshop will walk you through a personal self-assessment of your outcome and provide self-regulated learning strategies to help recover from a fail, or a poor grade!
Hosted by: Student Success
Curious About Having Hard Conversations? Curiosity Labs
4 to 5 p.m. | Zoom | Register here
Have you ever avoided giving feedback to a partner because you were nervous about how to approach the conversation? Join us to explore how to prepare for and begin hard conversations that can lead to collaborative action. Curiosity Labs is open to Toronto Metropolitan University and Wilfrid Laurier University community. Once you have filled out the registration you will receive a Google invite with the Zoom link for the event.
Hosted by: Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management
Rockin' it with the Rock Wall
6 to 8 p.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex Climbing Wall | Drop-In
Join Athletics and Recreation for a fun night at AC's climbing wall! This free event is open to all students. Come climb, eat some snacks, and listen to music! No signup required, and open to all skill levels.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Fitness Class: Dumbbell Series
7 to 7:45 p.m. | Brantford: LBYMCA | Drop-In
Laurier Brantford YMCA will be hosting fitness workshops to introduce students to fitness and help teach them different exercises they can incorporate into their workouts. These two workshops will focus on exercises that can be completed with dumbbells only. On Monday at 1 p.m. we will focus on the upper body and Wednesday at 7 p.m. we will focus on the lower body. Meet us on the second floor of the LBYMCA by the chairs.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Self-Care Thursday
All Day | Instagram
Join Your Students' Union in a day long Instagram challenge to promote kindness to oneself and the community. Students are challenged to share a positive and/or motivating message by replying to an Instagram story to be entered to win a Students' Union branded prize pack. This package will include, Your Students' Union merchanise, a Starbucks gift card and more. Be sure to follow @yourstudentsunion on Instagram and check that account's Instagram story to spread positivity for a chance to win. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. More details on @yourstudentsunion.
Hosted by: Your Students' Union
Fitness Class: Rock Bottom
9 to 9:45 a.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex Studio 1 | Drop-In
Join Athletics and Recreation for this moderate intensity Group Exercise class, for free! Rock Bottom focuses on lower body muscle toning using a variety of equipment. All students are welcome, no sign-up required!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Growing Your Strengths: Perseverance, Grit and Creating Habits
10:15 to 11:15 a.m. | Brantford: OM207-2 | Register in advance
We are resilient in the activities that we love most, as we are able to find ways to overcome obstacles so that we can complete these activities. Attend this workshop to learn more about creating positive habits that will help you persist in achieving your long-term goals.
Hosted by: The Dean of Students Office and Student Success
Make Your Own Gratitude Jars
11 to noon | Waterloo: P119 | Drop-In
In positive psychology, gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness. Join Sherrie and make your own gratitude jar to help boost your positive emotions, remember good experiences, and practice self-care.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Everyday Mindfulness
1 to 1:30 p.m. | Waterloo: P111 or Teams | Drop-In
In Everyday Mindfulness, you will learn and practice a number of techniques that you can use in a variety of situations in your everyday life. Join Normand as often as you wish for this half-hour mindfulness class on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Zen Den and Sensory Room Grand Opening
2 to 4 p.m. | Brantford: One Market Wellness Hub | Drop-In
Come join us in the Wellness Hub for a grand opening of our new Sensory Room and the Zen Den. The sensory room is a room full of objects and activities to soothe your senses. The Zen Den will be your mindful space to engage in mindfulness and art. Also, meet our medical receptionist, Lyndsay Howell, and learn about what to expect when you call into the Student Wellness Centre.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
ASk Workshop - Study Smarter, Not Longer
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Zoom | Drop-In
Identify more effective ways to study and put your new study techniques to practice. Fundamentals of University Learning - Bloom's Taxonomy, more effective ways to study and efficient use of your study time!
Hosted by: Student Success
Suicide Intervention (for Weirdos, Freaks and Queers)
5:30 – 8 p.m. | Zoom |Register in advance
This is an intro-level workshop for folks who want to build and share skills around supporting people who are suicidal. This is not a certification course- it's an opportunity to gather and share what we know about supporting suicidal friends and community members, in a structured way. We will discuss commonly held beliefs about suicide and suicide intervention, and how those impact folks seeking support. We will then name, describe, and practice some concrete skills and tools to use in conversations with folks struggling with suicidal feelings or impulses. There will not be any role playing, and participation in all activities is voluntary. Some of the questions we will be exploring include: what are my beliefs about suicide, and how might those impact how I react to someone else feeling suicidal? How do I know if someone I care about is thinking about ending their life? What are the wrong things to say? Is suicidal thinking always an emergency? What if the emergency services that exist don't feel like safe options? How do I know what my boundaries are, and how do I talk about them with someone in crisis? This event is open to all Laurier students, however there is limited capacity. Please email questions or accessibility requests to lburrows@wlu.ca.
Hosted by: The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Yoga Class: Mind Over Mat(ter)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Brantford: YMCA Studio B| Drop-In
Athletics and Recreation along with the YMCA invites you to join us for a relaxing group yoga session. Please bring your own mat if possible.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Getting More Sleep
7 to 8 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Sleep is often one of the first things to go when we are busy. In this session, Jessica will go through ways to improve your sleeping habits and learn how a sleep routine can positively impact your mental health and overall well-being. This is a multicampus online workshop and is also one of the workshops required to complete our Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Fitness Class: Glow in the Dark Cyclefit
7 to 7:45 p.m. | Waterloo: Cycle Studio, Athletic Complex | Drop-In
Join the party with Athletics and Recreation for Glow-in-the-Dark Cyclefit! This free event is open to all students, and no sign-up is required. Make sure you wear white to glow!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Fitness Class: Bootcamp
9 to 9:45 a.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex Studio 1 | Drop-In
Looking to improve your endurance and strength? Join Athletics and Recreation for free Bootcamp! This moderate to high intensity class is open to all students, no sign-ups required.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Fresh Fruit Friday
10 a.m. to noon | Brantford: One Market Wellness Hub, and Waterloo: P111 | Drop-In
We are bringing back a Laurier student favourite! Join us on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses for the start of Fresh Fruit Fridays! We will be handing out fresh fruit in P111 on the Waterloo campus and in the Wellness Hub (OM 206-30) on the Brantford campus. Come visit us for delicious fresh fruit to fuel your mind and body. Meet members of our team, and learn about the range of wellness resources at Laurier! This event is open to all graduate students as well as staff and faculty.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
KW Humane Society and Accessible Learning Centre Meet and Greet
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Waterloo: Concourse | Drop-In
Are you interested in fostering a pet? The ALC has teamed up with KWHS, to give students the opportunity to learn about fostering while in university! Pets are a great way to reduce stress, create routines, increase responsibility, and physical activity. Come out to the concourse to meet a community educator from KWHS, and learn about the fostering program. Additionally, the ALC will be present to answer any additional questions about upcoming drop-in sessions, note taking, and question sessions with the peer academic coaches.
Hosted by: Accessible Learning Centre
The History of Thrive
Thrive began at the University of British Columbia in 2009. Laurier adopted the program in 2017 and now runs Thrive every Fall and Winter term. Thrive is overseen by Laurier's Mental Health Advisory Committee, and incorporates student input and feedback when planning the week.
Thrive Partners
Thrive events are brought to you by the following partners:
- Student Wellness Centre
- Athletics and Recreation
- Student Success
- The Sustainability Office
- Residence
- Human Resources
- Career Development Centre
- LSPIRG
- Centre for Student Equity Diversity and Inclusion
- Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management
- Your Students' Union
- Accessible Learning Centre
- The Dean of Students Office
If you are a campus partner interested in collaborating with Thrive Week, contact Sarina Wheeler on the Waterloo campus, and contact Claire Howarth on the Brantford campus.
Asynchronous Content
Enjoy these YouTube videos at your leisure:
Careers in Mental Health Panel
Learn about different careers related to mental health by watching this previously recorded event with four alumni representing diverse wellness/helping roles.
Hosted by: The Career Development Centre
From Dogs to Bunnies, Meet the Pet Friends of Accessible Learning
Fosters on Deck
A Day in the Life of a Laurier Student's Dog
Animals are wonderful support companions for our mental wellbeing. Brantford SPCA and Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society has partnered with Laurier for their Foster Program. Learn how you can be a Foster Parent and help provide a loving temporary home for an animal in need!
Hosted by: Accessible Learning.
Instagram Contest
Be sure to follow us @LaurierWellness on Instagram and watch for our "Caption This" contest, posted Monday, October 24th! You could win a $150 gift card! Check out our Instagram page for the details and this page for the full rules.
Feedback
Share your feedback about Thrive:
Once you've attended a Thrive event, use our Thrive Feedback Form - with prizes to be one for sharing your thoughts! We appreciate your feedback so we can continue to improve Thrive for 2023!
Prizes to be won:
-an airfryer
-a blender
-a yealong subscription to the Headspace app
You can submit a form for every Thrive event you attend; every submission is an entry to win a prize!
Share your feedback about Mental Health at Laurier:
Have feedback regarding other mental health programming throughout the year? Whether it is a new event or workshop you would like to see, or certain topics you would like to be covered, please let us know. Submit your ideas using our mental health suggestion box.
Follow Us!
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, for mental health and wellness information, prizes, trivia and more!