Community Wellbeing
Community Wellbeing takes an systems-level approach to address issues impacting wellbeing across the campus community. Our goal is to proactively identify and address issues that cannot be tackled by one department in isolation, with the overall aim of reducing strain on down-stream services and increasing wellbeing across the TMU community.
Thrive ADHD Pilot
Thrive TMU piloted their Thriving in Action curriculum adapted specifically for students with ADHD. Over 200 students registered in the 2024-25 academic year, with a surge in participation by the spring term, growing to an average of 18 students per session. This signals a strong student demand and program momentum. This adaptation was developed to address the unique learning needs for students with ADHD, and offered the opportunity to develop learning strategies as well as increase resiliency. ADHD-specific resources are limited across Canada in post-secondary environments, and our program is being tailored based on staff expertise and student feedback.
“The sessions were very engaging - It has helped me to share my issues with people who are experiencing similar ones. It has also provided me a sense of confidence as it has allowed me to practice my speaking/communications skills. I’ve also learned so many insightful things to remember in my daily life.”
“I think this program should be offered to all students... It certainly supplements our learning in the classroom. Hearing how others struggle with the same issues (e.g. lack of focus and motivation, contending with potential/diagnosed ADD/ADHD/etc.) reaffirmed that the symptoms experienced are real and not just in our head.”
Thrive TMU
Thrive programming (TiA Standard, TiA workshops, guest lectures, Orientation, partnerships with graduate studies, TRSM Compass & FFB, and the Fresh Start course) reached 4,936 students. We also provided programming to 3315 faculty & staff (Writing for Wellness, Global Recruitment, Registrar, Magnet, Let’s Talk (OVPFA), Academic Supervisors workshop series, etc.).
Thriving in Action received the ‘Best Practices’ designation from the Best Practices Network. BP-Net is a national mental health community of practice and knowledge exchange network focused on promoting evidence-based post-secondary student mental health initiatives and strengthening the evaluation capacity across Canadian post-secondary institutions
80% said they would recommend this program to a peer or friend
85% said they plan to incorporate concepts from this workshop into their daily routines and/or academic life
Wellbeing Week 2024
TMU hosted Wellbeing Week, a cross-campus initiative designed to foster connection, mental health awareness, and holistic wellbeing for students, faculty, and staff. This year’s theme—The Power of Connection—focused on how relationships, belonging, and shared purpose strengthen emotional and mental wellbeing.
100%
said they are likely to attend future Wellbeing Week events
98%
of survey respondents reported a clearer understanding of mental health resources
63%
attended in-person events;
22% online;
15% engaged in both
Events ranged from grief literacy workshops and embodied learning sessions to movement-based activities, cultural dinners, and panel discussions on menopause, community care, and identity.
2024-25 initiatives have increased the visibility of lesser-known supports such as equity networks, grief care, and menopause resources, while also strengthening interdepartmental collaboration across Community Wellbeing, Workplace Wellbeing Services, OVPECI, and academic units. These efforts not only enhanced awareness of existing services but also sparked new conversations around accessible and inclusive approaches to wellbeing programming.
NER+D Training: Adaptation for Students
Notice, Engage, Refer + Debrief (NER+D) is a training program designed to help TMU community members respond to mental health related distress and enhance our community wellbeing through a culture of caring that supports, protects, and promotes wellbeing. This workshop created opportunities for participants to gain new information, reflect on their personal experiences, and apply their learnings to relevant scenarios through engaging interactions and discussion.
75%
of attendees hold student-facing roles
100%
feel more confident applying appropriate strategies to support individuals experiencing mental health distress
98%
reported that they plan to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop
100%
feel more confident identifying and referring individuals to appropriate and timely mental health resources on campus
Wellbeing Central
Wellbeing Central is a one-stop-website designed to improve access to mental health and wellbeing information at TMU. The need for a centralized platform emerged through consultations with students, staff, and faculty, who highlighted challenges navigating the many programs, services, and resources available across campus and beyond.
To support the development of this project, Community Wellbeing secured a $100,000 grant through the Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund, aimed at strengthening mental health supports in alignment with the National Standard for Mental Health and Wellbeing for Post-Secondary Students. Planning and development took place over the past year in collaboration with partners from across the university.
The platform brings together university-wide wellbeing resources in one accessible, user-friendly space. Developed through a collaborative, cross-campus effort, the site will officially launch during Orientation Week 2025. Early feedback has highlighted the site’s clarity, inclusive tone, and relevance to the needs of TMU’s diverse community. Ongoing updates will continue to reflect community input and evolving wellbeing priorities.
Established in 2023, Community Wellbeing takes an upstream approach to the wellbeing of the campus community. Steeped in health equity and a social and structural determinants lens, we endeavour to influence and address barriers to wellbeing and co-create innovative approaches in domains such as mental health, physical health, safety, community belonging and more.
Lee Hodge, Director, Community Wellbeing