Human Resources

Health awareness campaigns

Monthly Spotlight

February

Heart Health

"A healthy outside starts from the inside."
— Robert Urich

February is Healthy Heart Awareness Month at UFV—a time to highlight the importance of cardiovascular health and encourage simple steps that support a stronger heart. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Canada, making prevention and awareness essential for everyone.

Maintaining heart health doesn’t require big changes. Small daily habits—such as eating a balanced diet, staying active, managing stress, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol—can significantly reduce risk. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake also play an important role in long-term cardiovascular wellness.

This February, we invite our UFV community to learn more about heart‑healthy living, take part in awareness activities, wear red as a symbol of support and make a heart health pledge. Together, we can build a culture that prioritizes well‑being and helps our hearts stay strong for years to come.

Message about Stronger Everyday

Stronger Every Day

HR's Health & Wellness team launched a new blog series this year called Stronger Every Day. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing resources, stories, photos, recipes, and other content focused on health and wellness. We’d love this to be a collaborative space, so we warmly invite your participation.

Please share your ideas, questions, comments, and personal stories—we can’t wait to hear from you.

Upcoming UFV Community Events

UFV Plasma Playoffs
Now until February 14
Canadian Blood Services - Abbotsford

Save lives, donate your blood plasma

Wear Red - Heart Health Pledge
February 12 (Chilliwack) & 13 (Abbotsford)

The Health and Wellness team will be stopping by your office to drop off hearts so you can write your own healthy heart pledge

Craft and Commiserate
February 24 (11:30am-12:30 pm)
Thinkerspace (G124)

Join in for crafts, snacks, and good conversation
Pink Shirt Day
February 25 - All day
All Campuses
Show your support to be kind 

Dry-ish February Challenge - Mocktail Party
February 25 (2-3:30pm)
Human Resources (A288)

Join HR's for the Strive to Thrive - Dry-ish Feb Challenge wrap up party

Student vs Faculty (and Staff) Dodgeball Tournament
February 25 (6:00pm-9:00pm)
Building E (E105) - North Gym

Campus Recreation & Active Living is thrilled to host the ultimate Students vs Faculty dodgeball showdown. Sign-up now, or come watch the fun, and show off your campus spirit!  

Featured workshops and e-learning

Employee Wellness: Interactive Tour

Join us for a guided tour of the facilities in Building E, followed by a hands-on equipment orientation in the Fitness Centre, your first step toward feeling confident and energized on campus!

Dates: February 10th, 2026 & Time: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Building E, Abbotsford Campus
Facilitator: Stacie Dixon, Health, Disability and Wellness Coordinator, HR & Cheryl Johnson, Program Manager, Campus Recreation and Active Living

Register


Stretching break – Learn stretches at your desk

Date: February 17th, 2026 & Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Location: Online, Teams
Facilitator: Jason Dallavalle, Manager, Environmental Health & Safety

Register


It’s Your Move: Getting and Staying Active

This session will review the importance of maintaining physical activity to support long-term health and wellness goals and to combat some of the physical and mental stressors one might be faced with in daily life. This session will also educate participants on the types of health benefits to be gained from different activities, and will provide strategies for reducing barriers to increase/maintain physical activity levels

Date: February, 25, 2026 & Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Via Zoom
Facilitator: Homewood Health

Register

Resources and education materials

Homewood Health logo

 

Offering free, confidential counselling through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

 

Explore this toolkit to learn more about the techniques and tools used by Team Canada athletes to maintain their peak mental health and how they might apply to your daily life. Download here: Homewood Health - Olympic Mental Health Toolkit

Homewood Health - EFAP Newsletters


Life Lines:

February 2026 - Emotional Intelligence: Why it’s Important and How to Build it

Play Video | Audio File

Vitality (Manager and Supervisor - supporting employees): 

Q1 2026 | Quiet Quitting or Quiet Cracking

Play Video | Audio File


Archived articles: Employee health promotion newsletter

Health and well-being awareness monthly campaigns

January Mental Health July Respect in the workplace and harassment prevention
February Healthy Heart August Trauma informed care
March Women's Health September Work-life balance
April Financial Wellness October Breast cancer awareness
May Cancer Prevention November Men's health
June EDI Awareness December Self-care

 


Please contact health.disability.wellness@ufv.ca if you have any ideas to share or questions.


If you are dealing or know someone who is dealing with a health crisis:

Require immediate support? please consider accessing our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) through Homewood Health. They offer confidential resources and support for mental health, wellness, and other personal needs. You can reach them at:

Additional emergency & after-hours support

  • 988 (Text or call) Suicide Crisis Help Line 24/7
  • 1-877-820-7444 - Fraser Health Crisis Line
  • Here2Talk (text or call) 1-877-857-3397

How to get started: If you would like info about other community resources, please call 211 or visit BC 2-1-1

Upcoming HR events

Contact Us