UBC Mental Health Network

1. UBC Mental Health Network “Towards a community that supports a culture of holistic well-being for students at the University of British Columbia” www.ubcmhn.com@UBCMHN mhnubc@gmail.com

2. Presentation Overview • Little Bit About Me • UBC Mental Health Network - History and Overview • Programs and Initiatives • Challenges • Key Messages and Take Aways

3. Roles within the Mental Health Community Volunteer: • UBC Mental Health Network – Chair • SpeakBOX Club – Co-President • UBC Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee and Wellbeing Operational Committees • CMHA HMHC – Design Team and Student Leaders Committees • Partners for Mental Health – Consultant and Community Action Team Member • Consult with other Post-Secondary Institutions across Canada Work: • Project Lead – Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey

4. StressAnxietyDepressionUndergraduate Experience Survey, 2012 Academics being affected by (53%-63%) (42%-50%) (28-33%)

5. I got involved because I want to make a difference for current and future students.

6. Who Are You?

7. www.ubcmhn.com

8. Individual and CommunityMental Health Mental Health Network Us

9. Mental Health Network - Mission The UBC MHN shall:1)     Proactively facilitate valuable collaborations 2)     Advocate for due consideration of student mental health

10. History/Structure • Formed in February 2011 with 6 organizations and 1 coordinator

11. History/Structure • In October 2012 recruited 30 amazing student volunteers to create the working committee, the MHN Team

12. History/Structure • From late 2012 to mid-2013 the Network membership increased... Chair Mental Health Network

13. Nursing Ugrad society Arts Ugrad society Medical Ugrad society Commerce Ugrad society Engineering Ugrad society UBC REC Yoga club AMS Speakeasy AMS Sexual Assault support centre Science Undergraduate Society MHN Neurology club Speakbox club AMS The Kaleidoscope Healthy Minds The Wellness Centre Graduate Student Society Family Medicine Group UBC Connectivity YesPlus Club Mental Health Awareness Club International Student Association Kinesiology Ugrad society

14. Where We Are Now ~80 dedicated individuals to support student mental health In summary we have: • Network Members – strategic direction, collaboration and advocacy • Advisory Board – expertise and experience to guide our work • MHN Team/Ambassadors – 8 portfolios • AMS Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner

15. And we started this with...

16. Thinking Outside of the Box:Resources and Funding • Fundraising • Sponsorship • Key Partnerships

17. Thinking Outside of the Box:Resources and Funding Regardless of financial or other materialistic sources people are the best resource

18. AMS - MHN Partnership • Determine key partnerships early • AMS – powerful ally • Determine common goals • Advocacy for policy change • Mutual deliverables • Long-term partnership – MOU • Funding – commissioner position and Mental Health Symposium

19. UBC – AMS/MHN Partnership • Impactful initiatives and presence • UBC approached us • Key allies • MHN Advisory Board facilitated process • Building capacity – within and beyond • Network Members and Team to support UBC Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

20. Ambassador Program • Genuine human to human interaction to change the culture on campus • Opportunity for individuals to take initiative • Currently consulting across the country to create similar programs

21. Mentally Fit: Exercise Your Mind • Mental Health =/= Mental Illness • Mental health equally as important as physical health

22. Challenges & Changes • Bringing Others on Board • Be strategic and inclusive in your invitations • Become multilingual (e.g., student government, the University, individual students, staff & faculty) • Be Patient and Assertive • Share your Passion • Competition vs Collaboration • Why am I here? • Why are you here? • How can we work towards our common goal? • Remind ourselves of our goals!

23. Challenges & Changes • Pace Yourself • Practice, practice, practice self-care • And care for the rest of your team • Realistically assess your resources (not just $) and prioritize • Transitions and Turnovers • Flipped orientations • Advisory Board  organizational memory • Platforms and documentation

24. Key Messages and Take Aways

25. Key Messages • Innovative Leadership for Organizational Growth and Excellence • Leadership at all levels • Adapt and innovate for success • Lead with consensus and compassion • Power of Young Leaders • Believe in yourself • Take calculated risks • Frame of mind – think outside the box – then smash it and stomp on it!

26. Key Messages • Get Involved • Dip your toes • Start your own project/initiative/organization • Identify key partners and champions across the campus and external community • Have fun!

27. “An Indigenous leader is defined by how many people they can inspire to be their most powerful” -Waneek Horn-Miller

28. Thank You  Kimberley Carter www.ubcmhn.com @UBCMHN mhnubc@gmail.com