Partner With Thrive

We are seeking volunteers from a variety of disciplines and work backgrounds across campus to be Thrive Ambassadors.

 Are you a student, staff, CUPE, faculty member or post doc who—

• Is passionate about health and wellness?
• Is a positive health role model?
• Believes wellness initiatives can bring about positive changes?
• Believes in a sense of community?
• Supports friends, classmates, colleagues by practicing active listening, being kind, empathetic and compassionate?

If you answered yes to one or all of the questions above, you can become a Thrive Ambassador by submitting the Become a Thrive Ambassador webform.

What do Thrive Ambassadors do?  

• Act as liaisons between the Thrive Planning Committee and your unit*
• Spread awareness about Thrive initiatives, the brand and available mental health resources at UW

Thrive Ambassadors may choose to take up leadership roles in planning Thrive events in their units* during the spring and winter Thrive Days and the fall Thrive Week.

Communication

Ambassadors will receive e-mails on a monthly basis (or as needed) that would include information about Thrive initiatives or mental health resources on campus. They would disseminate this information in their individual units. During Thrive events, these informative e-mails may increase in frequency. For further questions, contact Karen Parkinson or Kalpita Gaitonde.

*Unit: Affiliated institution/ faculty/ department/ research institution/ service unit etc. 

By promoting Thrive, you’re helping build positive mental health for everyone at University of Waterloo. In this toolkit you’ll find templates, social cards, suggested social posts, and web images to get everyone thriving at University of Waterloo.

Learn more about the goals and key messages of Thrive to help craft your Thrive messages.

Key Messages 

• Everyone has mental health to care for and there are lots places to go if you need help.

• Building your healthy habits and self-care skills can help you stay mentally well.

• Our community members have shared experiences and knowledge that can help you be well.

Communications suggestions

By promoting Thrive, you’re helping to build positive mental health for all at University of Waterloo. In this toolkit you’ll find visual assets and communications suggestions to get everyone thriving at University of Waterloo.

Suggested post types and timings

The following are examples of things you can do to help promote Thrive to your audiences:

• Any time
  • Post messages related to positive mental health on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook.
  • Post messages about available resources and supports at the University of Waterloo.
• One month to one week before Thrive:
  • Talk to your audience(s) about Thrive. Invite them to attend events, join the #UWThrive movement, and/or thrive in ways that feel good to them.
  • Take photos of things, places, or people that help you thrive, and share them on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook. Add a description and tag them with #UWThrive .
  • Print, hang, and distribute posters.
  • Follow Campus Wellness on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest Thrive updates.
  • Encourage your department to wear their Thrive t-shirts.
• During Thrive:
  • Join the #UWThrive conversation by commenting on or uploading Thriving photos.
  • Invite your friends or colleagues to join you for a break or a meeting in a peaceful or quiet or peaceful space. You may want to share photos of these spaces on social media.
  • Encourage your friends and colleagues to share their Thrive experiences on social media.
  • Follow Campus Wellness on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to like, share, and comment on thriving posts!
  • Showcase a course or assignment that has a focus on positive mental health.
  • Invite students to take 5-minute stretch breaks during class, or lead a stretch break yourself.
  • Share a reminder about Thrive and the importance of taking care of your mental health.

For suggestions on how to promote and enhance Thrive see our Partner and Communications Toolkit (PDF)

Social media assets

• Thrive Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/460033884850801/
• Thrive Logo files: Thrive Logos and Banner (ZIP) 

Event poster

• Thrive Poster (PDF)

Powerpoint slides 

These Powerpoint slides can be used to advertise Thrive events on digital displays to introduce the concept of mental health and Thrive week at the beginning of a lecture or lab that happens during Thrive week.

• Thrive Lecture Slides (PPTX)
• Thrive Digital Display Slide 4x3 (PPTX)
• Thrive Digital Display Slide 16x9 (PPTX) 

If you’d like to host a partner event, please register your event through the Partner with Thrive form. By hosting an event you will:

• Have your event promoted on the Thrive webpage
• Receive poster templates and communication tools to support your own event promotion
• Be sent a Thrive package, which includes resource materials and swag items

A couple of key things to remember when planning your event:

• Be inclusive of diverse perspectives and populations on campus. For help, review the Planning Accessible Events document
• Consider how your event can connect to the themes of Thrive week:
  • Increase mental health literacy and promote resources
  • Build healthy habits and self-care skills
  • Foster a supportive and inclusive community
• Have hard copies of resources available for both on and off-campus mental health services and supports

Need event ideas?

Below you’ll find some ideas for wellness events:

• An arts and crafts activity: colouring pages, bracelets, origami, succulent planting
• An event promoting physical activity: yoga classes, Zumba etc
• An event featuring live music
• Host a workshop on mental health and wellbeing
• Share a meal or host a cooking class
• Create a gratitude wall that people can add sticky notes to