Tertiary health promotion

Applying the Okanagan Charter in Aotearoa New Zealand - Craig Waterworth and Anna Thorpe

Applying the Okanagan Charter in Aotearoa New Zealand - Craig Waterworth and Anna Thorpe

This academic paper was written by two of our executive members, Craig Waterworth and Anna Thorpe. Published in 2017, it can be viewed in the Journal of the Australia and New Zealand Student Services Association. It outlines how the Okanagan Charter could be implemented in the New Zealand context. Abstract is below.

Abstract: In 2015 the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges was held in the Okanagan, Canada. At this conference, a new international charter focusing on health promotion in tertiary education was ratified. The Okanagan Charter was developed with input from 45 countries,including Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. The Okanagan Charter builds on existing charters and declarations to apply health, wellbeing and sustainability to tertiary settings. This paper outlines how the Okanagan Charter relates to health promotion approaches that are used in Aotearoa New Zealand in higher (tertiary) education for the benefit of students, staff and stakeholders. The principles and action areas of the Okanagan Charter are discussed in their application to health promotion practice in the higher education setting of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Health and Wellbeing Checklist - For University Decision-making

Health and Wellbeing Checklist - For University Decision-making

"The checklist on the following page has eight steps that decision-makers can follow to assess whether their proposed initiative, decision or policy has considered potential impact on staff and student health and wellbeing. Healthy Sydney University has also included two examples to show how the checklist can be used."

Full report available here

South Island Tertiary Forum Presentations - November 2016

South Island Tertiary Forum Presentations - November 2016

The South Island Tertiary Forum was held recently on 16 November at the University of Canterbury, with about 50 people in attendance. This is the PechaKucha session with 8 short and punchy presentations on a range of topics including; Staff Wellbeing: why and how (Katharina Näswall, UC), The stories: international student wellbeing (Jonie Chang, UC), Student Wellbeing Advisory Group (Emily Barker, UCSA), Get-it-together Series 2017 (Catherine Staite, UCSA), Thursdays in Black and Mental Health Week (Jayne Smith, Lincoln), Building resilience in the curriculum (Tracy Clelland, UC), UC PERMA-culture: a healthy place to live and learn (Rose Reynolds, UC), and South Island Tertiary Health and Wellbeing Survey findings (Anna Thorpe, CDHB).

Videos of presentations are available here

South Island Tertiary Health and Wellbeing Survey - General Report

South Island Tertiary Health and Wellbeing Survey - General Report

"Health promotion in higher education is receiving greater attention with the recent development of the Okanagan Charter, an international health promotion charter for universities and colleges... The report provides a snapshot of health and wellbeing initiatives currently operational within the seven higher education institutions surveyed and aims to share examples of good practice and suggestions for further alignment with the Okanagan Charter."

Full report available here

Mental Health and Wellbeing Discussion Paper - UBC Vancouver

Mental Health and Wellbeing Discussion Paper - UBC Vancouver

"This paper will present the following: 1. The post-secondary mental health challenge and rationale for institutional action; 2. The scope of the challenge at UBC; 3. Guidance from the literature, best practices research and key organizations on the components of a successful campus mental health strategy; 4. Overview of the draft UBC Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy; 5. Discussion of current mental health initiatives at UBC; 6. Discussion of priority actions and next steps under the UBC Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy"

Full discussion paper available here

A blueprint for student mental wellbeing in universities

A blueprint for student mental wellbeing in universities

This resource provides a research summary and recommendations for tertiary settings to encourage positive mental health and wellbeing. These recommendations include considering alternate academic strategies, infusing mental health knowledge and skills in the curriculum, developing and promoting the use of eHealth technologies, building healthy physical environments.

Full resource available here

Healthy University Sydney - Guiding Principles

Healthy University Sydney - Guiding Principles

"Healthy Sydney University (HSU) aims to create a healthy learning and working environment for students and staff at the University of Sydney. HSU brings together students, professional staff, academics and researchers from across our faculties and professional service units to plan, implement and evaluate healthy university strategies. These strategies are informed by the best available evidence and are rigorously evaluated to ensure we generate new evidence around healthy learning and working environments. Our focus is across three key areas: healthy peoplehealthy places and healthy policies."

Full report available here

Vision for a Healthy University - Simon Fraser University

Vision for a Healthy University - Simon Fraser University

"SFU is pleased to present our Vision for a healthy campus community. The vision has been co-created through campus-wide consultation, in which over 300 campus members from all 8 faculties and all 3 campuses shared their input and ideas in Fall 2014. The vision links well-being to the success of individiuals and the institution. It calls upon each of us to consider how we can be a part of creating a healthy campus community."

Full report available here