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As the manager of return to work and accommodation services in Human Resources (HR), Sydney Downey sees firsthand the impact mental health issues have on the Queen’s community. She estimates that 50 per cent of the cases she handles involve mental health, predominately related to anxiety or depression, and these cases tend to result in longer medical absences from the workplace. 

To tackle the challenge, Ms. Downey and her HR colleagues are spearheading Thrive, a week-long initiative to promote positive mental health and resiliency across campus. The inaugural edition will occur Nov. 2-6.

“Queen’s has made great strides in recent years to address mental health issues within our community. We want to build on that momentum and expand education and dialogue around the issues so that staff and faculty, as well as students, can thrive all year long,” Ms. Downey says. 

Thrive began at the University of British Columbia in 2009, with other Canadian universities and colleges hosting their own versions in recent years. The aim of the initiative is to demonstrate the value and potential benefits of a collaborative, community-based approach to mental health promotion on campus.

Ms. Downey and her team have received a positive response from the university community. More than 40 people are actively participating in the Thrive organizing committee. 

The involvement of people from across campus and the Kingston community will result in a variety of events and educational activities on topics such as stigma, physical fitness, sleep, stress and nutrition.

While the events will take place over one week, HR wants Thrive to continue throughout the year.

“We hope Thrive opens the door to further discussion about how to make Queen’s a healthier campus,” Ms. Downey says. “The week-long event is a great opportunity for students, staff and faculty to connect with each other and to learn about what’s happening on campus and the resources available to improve their mental health.”

The full list of events will be released within the coming weeks. The schedule will appear in the next issue of the Queen’s Gazette newspaper. Email Sydney Downey if you would like to volunteer during Thrive or organize a Thrive-themed event in your own area.