Faculty and staff wellness is a priority

The University of Manitoba offers a wealth of wellness programming and services for faculty and staff throughout the year. Many can be accessed online, and can provide both individual and unit support.

The Live Well initiative is a collaboration between Active Living, Human Resources, Student Affairs and the Office of Sustainability and is closely aligned with our university mental health strategy, Success through Wellness. Dedicated to building personal and community health, Live Well provides accessible information about the many resources available to students and employees on our campus.

The Live Well @Work week takes place every June, and features a wellness fair along with many workshops and activities, from outdoor yoga to lectures to Medicine Wheel teachings. Last year’s Live Well @Work at the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses attracted nearly 650 faculty and staff.

Health and wellness initiatives are also supported by the Respectful Work and Learning Environment (RWLE) policy, which promotes diversity and inclusion.

Recently, the U of M established Success through Wellness grants to fund student, staff and faculty projects that foster positive mental health and wellbeing for the campus community. Read more about the initiative in UM Today. 

“Wellness is about our whole selves — our mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being,” says Arlana Vadnais, U of M’s employee wellness specialist and campus mental health facilitator. “So we think broadly when developing new programs and initiatives.”

“Our wide range of wellness programming is meant to provide community members with opportunities to focus on well-being, maintain positive, professional relationships, and be engaged in our work,” she adds.

“Ultimately, we want to continue to move forward as a strong and healthy community.”

A list of health and wellness resources for faculty and staff (each title is a link to a U of M webpage):

Live Well @ U of M
This cross-campus initiative promotes health and wellness resources through informational campaigns, activities and an online hub, recognizing the “whole selves” that faculty and staff bring to work each day. The website includes supports for employees’ mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. 

Live Well @Work week and year-round activities
The Live Well @Work week takes place every June, at both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses, and features a wellness fair along with many workshops and activities, from outdoor yoga to lectures on topics such as mindfulness to Medicine Wheel teachings. Watch for additional programming year-round. 

U of M’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
The 24/7 program provides a free and confidential range of services, including personal counselling, tools to manage stress, and a variety of wellness resources. It is managed by an outside supplier.

U of M’s Psychological Service Centre
Did you know the university has a dedicated professional to provide advice and consultation for faculty members about mental health and well-being? Contact Harold Wallbridge, director, Psychological Service Centre, 204-474-9069 or harold [dot] wallbridge [at] umanitoba [dot] ca

Office of Human Rights & Conflict Management (OHRCM)
The OHRCM promotes a respectful working and learning environment in which individuals are treated equitably and diversity is valued and inclusion is fostered. They provide conflict resolution supports including one-on-one coaching, mediation, conciliation and facilitated group dialogue, as well as support in situations of harassment, discrimination and sexual assault.

Learning and Organizational Development (LOD)
This spring, LOD will host a new workshop on self-care that will cover simple ways we can take of ourselves in our daily lives. Among the many offerings are workshops on mental health first aid, managing conflict and creating a respectful work and learning environment.

Human resources consultants
The team of specialists provide coaching and advising services, engaging with community members to maintain a respectful and fulfilling work environment. Consultants work at both campuses and look forward to collaborating with colleagues.

Office of Human Rights & Conflict Management’s Respect Policy
The Respectful Work and Learning Environment (RWLE) policy promotes diversity and inclusion within the university community, and an overall climate of respect.

Success through Wellness: The University of Manitoba’s Campus Mental Health Strategy
Launched in 2014, Success through Wellness supports and promotes mental health and well-being and encompasses students, staff and faculty in fulfillment of the U of M’s strategic priority of providing an outstanding working and learning environment. The strategy focuses on building a community that is committed, caring, healthy, responsive, supportive and resourceful. It includes 67 recommendations that fall under six goal areas.

Explore the wide range of wellness programming, committees and groups at www.umanitoba.ca/livewell

For more information on wellness programming and mental health resources, contact Arlana Vadnais at arlana [dot] vadnais [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

Any general questions can be directed to hrfeedback [at] umanitoba [dot] ca or human resources contact us webpage.

 HR Staff