Health and Wellness
Taking care of students’ wellbeing is very important for personal, academic, and professional success here at Northeastern, and beyond. Part of the #NUExperience is practicing self-care, taking advantage of wellness resources available to you, and exploring your own personal wellness.
What is Wellness?
Wellness is “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health“. Therefore, wellness involves a commitment to yourself, your environment, and others for holistic wellbeing, and also the intentional practice of good habits and self-care.
At our campus, we use the eight dimensions of wellness to support our students, evaluate programs, and create better health outcomes.
Emotional Wellness
Being in touch with, aware of, accepting of, and able to express one’s feelings (and those of others).
It involves:
- Relaxation and stress management
- Cultivating an awareness of your thoughts and feelings
- Expressing your emotions in a healthy manner
- Taking responsibility for your self and your actions
Resources:
- Find@Northeastern: 24/7 mental health support and resources that help you find yourself, your peace of mind, and your distinctive path
- Here2Talk: 24/7 mental health supports and referrals for all BC Post Secondary Students. No problem is too small. Call, Use The App or Chat on the web.
Environmental Wellness
A healthy physical environment free of hazards; awareness of the role we play in bettering the natural environment.
It involves:
- Creating environments that support well-being
- Practicing environmentally conscious behaviors (e.g., recycling, energy conservation, thrift shopping).
- Getting outside to experience nature
- Learning more about the ecosystems and life that surrounds you
Resources:
- Office of Sustainabilty: Be part of the movement toward a more sustainable and resilient Northeastern! Learn how you can contribute to the exciting sustainability efforts happening on campus
Financial Wellness
Learning how to successfully manage your money for today and the future, saving appropriately for future expenses and emergencies, and living within your means.
It involves:
- Establishing a personal budget within your means
- Learning not to let money be the driving force of your life
- If able, donating to causes that speak to you
- Building good credit and savings
Resources:
- Financial Advising: Make an appointment for an in-depth advising session with the Northeastern University Center for Financial Independence’s Personal Finance Advisor
- Business Basics: Find links to articles on how to set a budget, learn about the American currency system, and more with the D’Amore-McKim School of Business
Intellectual Wellness
Engaging in creative and mentally-stimulating activities, expanding your knowledge, and imparting knowledge to others.
It involves:
- Seeking opportunities to learn new practical skills
- Pursuing on-campus and off-campus opportunities to experience a new language or culture
- Engaging in a new hobby like knitting, crochet, or chess
- Actively participating in classroom and co-curricular discussions in your field of interest
Resources:
- Global Learner Support: GLS offers 1-to-1 and group conversation tutorials focusing on conversation, career preparation, writing, APA/MLA citation, academic presentations & TOEFL/IELTS preparation
Occupational Wellness
Finding fulfillment from your work and study, contributing meaningfully, and continuing to expand your skills and strengths.
It involves:
- Pursuing a career or academic path that has meaning to you
- Utilizing your skills and talents in your work
- Finding balance between school, work, and leisure time
- Being a lifelong learner and seeking new opportunities for expansion
Resources:
- Employer Engagement and Career Design: Career Design programs include events, activities, resources, and services including coaching labs and Career Studio drop-ins
Physical Wellness
Making choices to avoid harmful habits, practicing actions that support your physical body’s health and safety, and establishing a regular sleep routine.
It involves:
- Seeking medical attention for injuries and illnesses
- Consuming energizing and nourishing meals
- Getting regular, consistent sleep
- Practicing safe, consensual sex
- Exercising or moving your body in ways you are able
Social Wellness
Social Wellness
Connecting with, interacting with, and contributing to other people and our communities.
It involves:
- Trusting in and connecting with others
- Communicating effectively
- Respecting others’ boundaries and needs
- Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures
Resources:
- Global Learner Support: Cultural activities provide learners with the opportunity to explore local and global culture with other students, faculty, and staff through outings and virtual sessions
- Student Interest Groups: Student Lead groups with common interests that enhance community and social experiences.
Spiritual Wellness
Having values or beliefs that provide a sense of meaning and purpose to your life and guide you along your path.
It involves:
- Making time for personal reflection and defining your personal values
- Behaving in alignment with your values and beliefs
- Connecting with a faith-based, spiritual, or religious community
- Participating in spiritual activities in your community
Resources:
- Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service: CSDS attends to the spiritual needs of the Northeastern community. The Center builds partnerships across university departments and disciplines—and with religious communities and public service agencies locally, nationally, and internationally—to help students become engaged citizens, peace builders, and leaders equipped to tackle pressing global problems
SafeTALK Suicide Alertness Training
SafeTALK Suicide Alertness Training
SafeTalk is a half-day alertness training that prepares participants to become a suicide-alert helper. This training helps participants recognize invitations for help, engage individuals appropriately, and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources.
This training is mandatory for student-facing staff, faculty, and student employees. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, these members of our community are available to help you stay safe.
Through this training, participants learn to:
- Notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts might be present.
- Recognize that invitations for help are often overlooked.
- Move beyond the common tendency to miss, dismiss, or avoid suicide.
- Apply the TALK Steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and Keep Safe
- Know community resources and how to connect someone with thoughts of suicide to them for further help.
Who can participate?
SafeTALK training at Northeastern is available to all staff, faculty and students, and requires no formal training or prior experience in suicide prevention.
Please sign up for the waitlist to be informed about upcoming training sessions: https://forms.office.com/r/F780St6it8
For more information on the training, please visit: https://www.livingworks.net/safetalk
For a list of Keepsafe connections on the Northeastern Vancouver Campus Click here