Being healthy isn't just about taking healthy actions (though it certainly helps!), making healthy decisions requires comprehension of some pretty complex topics. That is why we are focusing on health literacy this month. Knowing how to evaluate information for credibility and quality, where to find help for health issues, how to understand medical information, and how to safely manage the use of medication can vastly improve your ability to make healthy choices.
CONTENT WARNING: the following section discusses wrongful death and abuse suffered under residential schools
The recent discovery of 215 unmarked graves of children who attended the Kamloops Residential School has sparked what Phyllis Webstad, herself a survivor of a residential school in BC, a “mass grieving across Canada" and something that "Indigenous and non-Indigenous... are grappling with.”
If this unfathomable loss has triggered any trauma or caused you distress, we recommend you reach out and get help from these UBC and community resources:
Kids Help Phone: Provides a texting option for Indigenous youth and adults to connect with a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit crisis responder. Youth text 68 68 68 and adults text 741 741 with the word "First Nations" or "Metis" or "Inuit" to be connected to a crisis responder from their nation if one is available (Indigenous crisis responders are not guaranteed but will be prioritized).
If you are aware of a friend or colleague who is in distress, please take a look at the information on our Helping faculty and staff in distress page for more information and support.
And, if you would like to share any resources with your students, we recommend you take a look at the Student Services Health and Wellbeing page as well as their Counselling Services page.
Theme of the month: Health literacy
Tips to help you choose a counsellor
Seeking help from a counsellor doesn't need to be a daunting task. Take a look at these tips to help you choose your next registered/licensed clinical psychologists, registered/licensed social workers, or clinical counsellors. Those enrolled in UBC's extended health benefits are 100% covered to a limit of $2,500 per year, per person.
Benefits Spotlight: Employee and Family Assistance Program
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (you may have heard it referred to as EFAP) is a great way for faculty and staff to get support from counsellors, but it is also a great resource to help you improve your health literacy!
Nourishing your body and mind through food is important, all year long, but it's not always easy to find a trusted recipe book. If you are looking for delicious, simple, and nutritious recipes — as well as credible and evidence-based nutrition tips — then check out this amazing cookbook!
It was created by UBCO students as part of a nutrition course, with help from Dr. Sally Stewart, School of Health and Exercise Sciences/Director Nutrition Education Center, and Julie Stachiw, RD, UBCO Food Services.
The Stair Challenge is Back! Dust off those running shoes because the 2021 Pick Your Peak Stair Challenge for faculty and staff is running from July 5 - August 2, 2021.
Of course, Sports Week was different in 2021, but social distancing could not dampen the competitive spirits of faculty and staff across UBCV and UBCO.
Indigenous health leaders making a difference during the pandemic
This month we have a guest article from Yazmeen Wardman — a member of The Key First Nation and a UBC graduate — who has profiled three Indigenous health leaders who stepped up to help battle COVID-19: Dr. Shannon Waters, Dr. Nadine Caron, and Dr. Evan Adams.
