Queen’s community invited to Thrive

This fall, the Queen’s community is invited to celebrate Thrive Week – a series of events focused on building positive mental health through discussion, learning, skill development, and resource sharing. This year’s events, taking place from Monday, Nov. 3 to Friday, Nov. 7, are open to all staff, faculty, and students, and focus on the theme Thriving Together: Cultivating Connection, Inclusivity, and Community.

“Thrive Week is a unique opportunity for us to learn, connect, and grow together as a community,” says Sydney Downey, Director, Employee Wellness Services (Human Resources). “We are incredibly grateful to our sponsor, Manulife, for their ongoing support, and to Mindful Campuses, whose recent grant has directly supported this year’s programming. Wellness initiatives like Thrive have a powerful impact but are simply not possible without this kind of essential funding.”

Stephanie Simpson, Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion), to deliver keynote address during Thrive Week.

During Thrive Week, participants can engage in a wide range of activities and initiatives including a keynote address from Stephanie Simpson, Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion). Stephanie has more than two decades of experience in human rights and equity. She has been instrumental in fostering inclusivity and legislative compliance around matters such as accessibility, human rights, and equity on Queen’s campus. On Monday, Nov. 3, she will host an in-person keynote address as she shares her experience building belonging and community at Queen’s. Those interested in attending the session can register online.

In addition to the keynote presentation, over 35 diverse events will be offered this year during Thrive Week. All events have been intentionally curated with a focus on cultivating connection, inclusivity, and community at Queen’s. Some additional featured events and opportunities to look forward to include:

What kind of culture do we want at Queen’s? - A facilitated conversation with Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) Stephanie Simpson and Associate Vice-Principal (Human Resources) Lisa Walsh exploring the kind of culture we want to build and nurture at ��Ӱֱ��.
Miller Museum of Geology Tour - Join Dr. Linda Tsuji, Curator of the Miller Museum of Geology, for a fascinating exploration of the Kingston area’s billion-year geological story. From Himalayan-sized mountains to tropical oceans and ancient glacial ice, the rocks beneath our feet hold incredible tales of transformation and time.
Children’s Clothing Swap - Join the for a children's clothing swap. Community members are encouraged to bring children's clothing items in good condition from 0-6 months up to size 14 (youth).
Active Outdoor Play - Learn more from the work that Dr. Eun-Young Lee has done on advancing inclusion and mental health through outdoor play
Picnic Indoors - Take a mindful break and join us for an indoor picnic - a relaxed, friendly gathering designed to foster connection and belonging within the ��Ӱֱ�� community. Bring your lunch, pull up a chair, and enjoy meaningful conversations.
Understanding Your University Pension - Curious about your pension and how to make the most of your retirement planning tools? Join members of the University Pension Plan (UPP) team for an interactive session featuring a live demonstration of the MyUPP Pension Estimator.
Virtual Pet Social - Take a ‘paws’ from your day for a virtual Pet Social. Unwind, share stories, and meet fellow pet lovers. Pets are optional, but smiles are guaranteed.
Bug Appétit: Insects in Your Kitchen - Join the Queen’s Entomological Society for a fascinating and fun introduction to the world of edible insects. Participants will discover how insects have long been part of global cuisine and learn about their nutritional and environmental benefits.
Free Hot Beverage – Queen’s employees can enjoy a free standard coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at one of the university’s participating food outlets on Friday, Nov. 7, courtesy of the Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor. Reusable mugs are encouraged. A complete list of participating locations is available on the HR website.

Last year, over 1,300 participants attended sessions during Thrive Week, with an increase of over 150% in event registrations.

To support participation in Thrive Week events, parking permit holders will be able to use their permits in any campus parking lot, including Main Campus, West Campus, and 355 King Street locations, for the duration of Thrive Week. This temporary flexibility allows permit holders to park wherever most convenient while attending and participating in events. Please ensure permits are clearly displayed when parking.

For more information on Thrive Week, including other events, dates, and registration, visit the Thrive page.