Thrive Week, a week-long series of events aimed at promoting mental health awareness, started at Carleton on Nov. 16.
The week offers many events to a variety of audiences: some are student-focused, some are geared towards faculty and staff, and others are geared towards anyone and everyone.
The initiative was originally developed at the University of British Columbia six years ago, and has spread across Canada.
“It’s one of the few initiatives on campus that is geared towards everyone. Our Thrive committee is comprised of representation from student groups, organizations, and people from all over the university,” said Samantha Munro, the Healthy Workplace Coordinator and event planner for Thrive Week.
The Student Alliance for Mental Health (SAMH) at Carleton is assisting the Thrive committee with their events, offering many volunteers, but they also run some of their own events during the week, such as a lecture series on Nov. 19, according to SAMH president Scott Zakaib.
“We do not have a direct hand in what they’re doing, but we’re helping in any way that we can,” Zakaib said.
First-year student Hanna Priddle said she thinks Thrive Week is a good initiative for students.
“There’s lots of variety in the events. Whatever your interests are, there’s something for you,” Priddle said.
“There are good events, speakers and group activities,” said Ily Roldan-Stack, a student attending the free yoga class in the Fieldhouse on Nov. 18.
She added she thought Thrive Week and its events could have been publicized better.
“I didn’t know about it until I got an e-mail from my faculty,” Roldan-Stack said.
Mental health awareness is on Carleton’s radar for years to come, according to Munro.
Munro said Carleton has a workplace mental health advisory committee that conducts research around mental health in the workplace, and has also developed a workplace mental health and well-being strategy running from 2015 to 2018.
“It is something we have spent a lot of time researching and looking at our options. We want to make sure it is the right fit for our employees,” Munro said.
Zakaib said SAMH tries to provide a student perspective on mental health issues.
“Mental health affects everybody, regardless if they are a teacher or maintenance worker. Everybody needs to be aware,” Zakaib said.
