Welcome to Thrive!
Thrive is a series of fun events and programs focused on mental health, wellness and community building. Led by students, it’s all about connecting, sharing info and helping you thrive during your time at university.
Join us and let’s make your student experience amazing!
Join us throughout this Spring semester 2026 for a season of meaningful events focused on mental health, connection, and awareness:
Mar 26 | Nutrition Month, Upper Cafeteria
Join the Thrive team on March 26 from 12 to 2 pm at the Upper Cafeteria to celebrate Nutrition Month! There will be noodle and doodle, fresh fruit, nutrition tips, prizes, and a showcase of the VIU Cookbook.
Mar 31 | Nutrition Month Lower Cafeteria
Be part of the Thrive event on March 31 from 12 to 2 pm at the Lower Cafeteria to celebrate Nutrition Month! Discover how healthy eating supports mental well-being while enjoying snacks and conversation. Drop by for noodle and doodle, fresh fruit, helpful nutrition tips, and a chance to win prizes!
Welcome to the VIU Student Cookbook!
If you’re looking for easy, affordable, and delicious recipes, you’ve come to the right place.
This book started as a project aimed to inspire and encourage healthy nutritional habits that support student wellbeing, and quickly turned into a collaborative project connecting students from all areas.
Nutritional goals look different for everyone, but it is important to ensure that we are getting enough of the essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fibers needed to take care of our bodies and minds. By doing so, we are protecting our immune functions, strengthening muscles and bones, and decreasing chances of chronic noncommunicable disease. Additionally, proper nutrition supports mental health as our brains are constantly depending on high-quality nutrients to function optimally. This includes managing stress and producing serotonin and dopamine. All of these put together also set us up for academic success. If we are feeling well, we are performing well. Making sure we are keeping up with our nutrients increases cognitive functions such as memory and focus. As students, this is exactly what we need!
We hope this book brings you inspiration and, of course, lots of delicious meals. Happy cooking!
We acknowledge that food can be a complicated topic. If you or someone you know is experiencing food-related struggles, such as food insecurity or eating disorders, please do not hesitate to reach out for support at any of the following areas:
Follow @viuthrive on Instagram for more details, updates, and how to get involved in each event.
Let’s build a healthier, more connected campus together.
Preventing sexualized violence on campus
Safer Campuses for Everyone
VIU Campus Store credit prize!
Let's continue our conversation about consent, as we all have a role in creating a safe and inclusive environment.
Created by BC Campus, the "Safer Campuses for Everyone" course covers the importance of consent in all types of relationships. It offers guidance and resources related to preventing sexual violence.
Want a chance to win $100 Campus Store credit?
Just follow these steps:
- Log in to your VIU Learn account.
- Register to the course.
- Complete the course before March 31, 2026.
- Email your completion to thrive@viu.ca to be entered into the draw.
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was first launched in 2003 on the 10th of September by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) with the endorsement of the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10th of September each year has been designated as a way of focusing attention on the problems of suicide worldwide.
The purpose of having events and programs around this date is to destigmatize conversations about suicide by creating a space where people can connect and share with others who have experienced various forms suicidality.
Join Thrive events and programs to learn more about this preventive campaign and contribute to build a safer community around campus.
For immediate support, call or text 9.8.8 Suicide Crisis Help Line, available 24/7.
or the Vancouver Island Crisis line 1.888.494.3888
The following discusses the topic of suicide.
