Take control of your own well-being by participating in Thrive day! Thrive is a Campus Wellness initiative that aims to bring attention to mental health and mental health resources, and helps students build healthy habits and practice self-care skills in hopes that students will “thrive” all year long.
“Thrive day is important as it helps inform students about mental health and gives them opportunities to work toward improving their mental wellness,” said Megan Wright, MATES coordinator.
Thrive was initially launched at University of Waterloo in fall 2018 and is built on the previous annual Mental Health Wellness Day. The Thrive initiative began at the University of British Columbia in 2009 and has expanded to more than 11 Canadian post-secondary institutions.
This term, Thrive will take place on June 19 in the SLC Great Hall from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. You can visit various booths of mental health services and resources on campus to learn more about what they provide students and participate in activities. Among the services present, MATES will be there to talk to students interested in their service and will also be providing fruit-infused water for students to enjoy.
“MATES provides a safe place for students to come and discuss anything that is on their mind,” said Katelyn Pavey, MATES coordinator. “Over the years we have been able to connect with hundreds of students, and have become part of student's self-care routine.”
The expansion of Thrive at UWaterloo has been thanks to the Peer Health Educator team. This event has continued to grow, and the team has been inviting new collaborators to bring students mental health related events and has also been learning about new mental health resources available in order to help more students.
“I hope to see Thrive day in the future be a staple event that all students at the University of Waterloo can recognize,” said Wright.
For more information on Thrive events and activities this term, stay tuned to the event’s Facebook page.
Need someone to talk to? There are many mental health resources available for students at all hours.
24/7 resources
UW Police - 519-888-4567 extension 22222
Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454
Ontario's Post-Secondary Student Helpline.
Here 24/7 – 1-844-437-3247
Region of Waterloo Helpline.
Grand River Hospital - 519-749-4300
On campus resources
Counselling Services - 519-888-4567 ext. 32655
Offers same-day appointments for emergencies and can be found in the Needles Hall North on the 2nd Floor.
Health Services - 519-888-4096
Offers walk-in appointments for urgent concerns and can be found in Health Services building.
MATES - mates@uwaterloo.ca
Offers peer to peer support and can be found in Needles Hall North on the 2nd floor.
AccessAbility Services - 519-888-4567 x 35082
Provides academic support for University of Waterloo students who have both permanent and temporary disabilities. AccessAbility supports full-time, part-time, graduate and undergraduate students as well as students completing a degree through the Centre for Extended Learning.
Centre for Mental Health Research - 519-888-4567 x 33842
Offers accessible, effective mental health services for people of all ages in the Region of Waterloo
