aerial photo of the campus in the fall season

Well-Being Events

Your wellness, your voice!

Your voice matters! VIU is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees, and we want to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete the Employee Wellness Survey, designed to better understand how you're engaging with current wellness initiatives and where we can do more. Your feedback is anonymous and will directly help shape future wellness programming, services, and supports.

Let’s work together to create a healthier, more connected workplace. Take the survey

Watch this space for upcoming events including news on the Well-Being Speaker Series, with monthly live webinars to provide education, guidance, and support to enhance your wellness, with a focus on a different wellness dimension each month.

Upcoming Sessions

Help Save Lives – Blood Donor Clinic Coming to Nanaimo!

Canadian Blood Services will be hosting a blood donor clinic from June 17 to 20 (Tuesday to Friday) at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre – Dodd Narrows Room (entrance at 80 Commercial Street).
Clinic Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 12 to 6:45 pm
Friday: 10 am to 4:45 pm

We encourage you to book your appointment in advance, though limited same-day appointments may be available. Booking is quick and easy:
👉 blood.ca
📱 GiveBlood app
📞 1.888.2DONATE (1.888.236.6283)
Your donation can make a life-saving difference. Thank you for giving where it’s needed most!
 

Physiotherapy Services at VIU

Need help getting back to feeling your best? VIU offers physiotherapy services to students and employees, including education, exercise programs, and manual therapy. Book an appointment at the Health & Wellness Centre (Nanaimo campus, building 200, Floor 3) or call 250.740.6416 to learn more.
 

Upcoming Mental Health Webinars – June 2025

Nurturing Connection & Bonding with Kids
June 16, 2025 | 10 am
Strong caregiver-child connections lay the foundation for emotional resilience, brain development, and healthy social skills. Join this free, one-hour webinar to explore practical ways to build meaningful bonds with children at any age. Led by Susan Dannen, a seasoned mental health professional with more than 25 years of experience, this session offers insights into emotional development, trauma-informed care, and the healing power of connection.
Register here: Webinar Registration

Understanding ADHD
June 18, 2025 | 8 am (Zoom)
ADHD is often misunderstood as simply hyperactivity or inattention, but it's much more complex. In this free, one-hour webinar, explore the root causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ADHD. Learn effective strategies to manage symptoms and support those living with ADHD, whether at home or in the workplace. The session is led by Jaymi Dormaier, an experienced social worker and therapist with over a decade of experience in mental health and a passion for helping people thrive.
Register here: Webinar Registration

    ON DEMAND WEBINAR: Diabetes: The Basics

     

    Teladoc Health logo

    ON DEMAND WEBINAR: Diabetes: The Basics

    According to the Statistics Canada, nearly 1 in 10 Canadians aged 20 years and older has been diagnosed with diabetes. Join Dr. Serena Natale in this webinar to gain a foundational understanding of diabetes, its types, causes, and management strategies.  Learn about:

    • The different types of diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes)
    • Symptoms and risk factors associated with diabetes
    • Effective management strategies, including diet, exercise, and medication

    Play recording (56 mins)

    Recording password: uDwzie9? 

    Mental Health Training - On-Demand

    This Mental Health Training course will help equip you with tools to support mental wellness in the workplace. Designed for leaders but useful for everyone, this 4-part online course is free and available on-demand. The course focuses on workplace strategies that support mental health:

    1. Mental health concerns in the Canadian workplace 
    2. Managing mental health concerns in the workplace 
    3. Supporting employee success 
    4. Organizational strategies for supporting mental health

    Access the training modules to review real workplace situations and employee/employer interactions and obtain the skills and information you need to support workplace mental wellness. 

    Self-Paced Wellness Sessions

    From Homewood Health: You’ve heard about the monthly live wellness sessions under our Speaker Series for Employee Well-Being. Now some of Homewood Health’s most popular Wellness Sessions have been condensed and made available as a self-directed service! Jam-packed days? These sessions are 15-30 minutes, and you can stop and start as desired. To find the sessions:

    1. Log into Homeweb, using VIU’s invitation code:  BCI714 (note: 3 capital letters, 3 numbers). 
    2. Then navigate your Dashboard:  
    3. Browse Homeweb:
    4. Then click on the Wellness Sessions button online to find the following sessions: 
    • The Science of Happiness
    • The Journey to Wellness: One Step at a Time
    • The Fundamentals of Change and Transition
    • The Art of Relaxation
    • Managing your Time and Energy
    • Improving Workplace communication
    • Building Working Relationships
    • Building Resilience
    • Beyond Stigma

    wave and sunrise at base of evergreen tree


    For more information on this and other well-being events, visit the RENEW pages. Questions? Email Benefits@viu.ca.