The University of Alberta is honoured to join the World Health Organization in observing 2025 World Health Day, recognized internationally on April 7. Our annual World Health Day celebrations align with the ongoing work happening across our campuses to support health and wellness.
The health of our students, faculty and staff is a priority, and is reflected in the many programs and resources available to our community. The community achievements we celebrate on World Health Day will continue to play an important role in the U of A's ongoing efforts to support the health and wellness of our community.
It’s more than just physical
Beyond physical, health encompasses several key areas, including social, mental, spiritual, and and community and culture.
Social health is our ability to interact and form meaningful relationships with the people around us. Having a healthy connection with our friends and family, where you feel supported and have a sense of belonging, will help improve all aspects of your well-being. Social health allows you to develop your confidence in social settings, increase your self-esteem, and build your emotional resilience. It's easy to be isolated in your work and it can be tough to find a balance with other aspects of your life. Many resources are available for both students and staff to improve their social health:
- Campus and Community Recreation Wellness Programs
- University Organizations and Events
- University Staff Social Well-being
Mental health refers to a state of mind that encompasses social, emotional and psychological well-being, and reflects how well an individual can cope with life stressors, discover their unique abilities and selves, productively learn and work and give back to their community. Mental health is a significant part of our overall health and well-being, dictating our actions, emotions and influence on others.
There are many ways to improve your mental health, and addressing core factors like social life, emotional well-being, and psychological health are good starting points. Keeping and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and knowing when to take breaks are crucial points. Our schedules are often overwhelmingly busy with deadlines, assignments, projects, meetings, and tasks, but finding new hobbies, engaging friends, and taking a bit of time each day to do something for yourself, like reading, meditating, or exercise, are all healthy habits that promote mental health. Here are a few good resources:
- Counselling + Clinical Services | University
- Wellness Supports | University of Alberta
- Faculty + Staff Mental Health | University of Alberta
- Bright Breaks
- Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week, May 5-11
Spiritual well-being is an individual’s spiritual orientation towards the world and the practices with which they develop or maintain their spiritual beliefs. Maintaining spiritual well-being helps find purpose in an individual’s life, and enables us to maintain harmony within ourselves and others. There are many campus resources that support spiritual well-being, including Mindful Meditation and Prayer and Meditation Spaces.
Community and culture are key elements of health, and the university provides a range of resources and initiatives designed to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. There are a variety of resources to support students, faculty and staff, including those who may be new to campus. These resources also include hundreds of student and cultural groups and clubs, like the International Students Association, whose mission is to advocate for the interests of International Students, and First People’s House, who provide an environment of empowerment for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) students. Resources include:
- Community Assistance Team
- Office of Safe Disclosure & Human Rights (OSDHR)
- International student and visitor services
- International Students Association
- First People’s House
Physical health involves the overall wellness of the body and the absence of sickness, and includes fueling our bodies with proper nutrition, getting adequate sleep, as well as the ability for our organs and body systems to successfully function. When we take care of our physical health we recognize the importance that physical activity and movement hold in our everyday lives. Our campus provides many opportunities to ensure that you have resources and strategies that are beneficial to your physical health, including
The WHO’s World Health Day theme for 2025 is Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Futures. Learn about the recommendations that U of A’s Margie Davenport shares for women in their first year as new moms.