In light of Thrive week, I would just like to say that I am very proud of our UBC community and MHAC for supporting this movement, for so many other clubs and individuals involving themselves with it, and for effortfully caring to truly want to make a difference! I am honoured to have been, and still be, a part of the ever growing movement for positive mental health. Now in all honesty, I didn’t really know what thrive week was up until my second year of university. A perfect example, unfortunately, on how we need to educate more on taking hold of one’s own mental health, through resources like Thrive, and reducing the stigma.To inform anybody else who may be a bit in the dark about thrive week: it is a week-long series of events focused on building more positive mental health in individuals. Specifically, 1 in 5 British Columbians will struggle at some point in their lives with their mental health, and that is okay. We are all people: not perfect, but perfect enough.
Thrive has taught me that “thrive” is a mindset — we all have the power to learn about, strengthen, and talk about our individual mental health. It is very important to be vocal about it as you never know who you will influence by doing so. It is a domino effect: once you talk, others will talk, and we will be on our way to being open and more supporting of those struggling. UBC has many resources, such as Speakeasy, to get the conversation going. To inspire you, just as I have been inspired, please find the link to one of my favourite TED talks given by Kevin Breel on his continuing journey with depression. Yes he talks for 11:00 minutes, but I promise you that every single minute that passes, another inspiring minute will follow. I viewed this talk when it was first given in 2013 in West Vancouver, and the moment he started talking I was drawn. This talk really reached out to me, and I am hoping it can do the same for you. Whether you are experiencing depression or not, this speaks on so many levels to anybody struggling through rough times. Kevin reminds us that “we [are] people, and we struggle and we suffer and we bleed and we cry, and if you think that true strength means never showing any weakness, [well you are] wrong. You’re wrong, because it’s the opposite.” And as we struggle through these long days, personal obstacles, and overarching societal pressures, just remember that these dark times “[put you] in the valleys, but only to show [you the] peaks”.
If you’re looking for an inspiring, empowering, and motivational pick me up, please find this awesome TED talk below:
Written by Laura Spong