SFU Community Well-being Plan
At SFU, we recognize that well-being is essential to academic success and a thriving university community. We aim to transform the SFU experience by embedding health and well-being to create healthier, more inclusive and supportive environments that promote psychological health and safety, where all students, faculty, and staff can flourish.
Our Commitment
Well-being at SFU is a shared responsibility. We take a whole-systems approach to drive meaningful and lasting change. By building on our strengths and existing resources, we commit to:
- Embedding well-being into university policies, practices, and decision-making.
- Fostering a compassionate, caring environment where everyone has the support they need to thrive.
- Strengthening mental health and well-being through long-term, sustainable strategies.
- Enhancing social connection to promote inclusion and a sense of belonging
By embracing these commitments, we will continue to break down barriers, challenge biases, and create systems that support well-being. Together, we are building a healthier, more inclusive, and vibrant SFU for generations to come.
Resources
We all play a part in building a community where all can thrive. Explore resources, services and supports available to students, staff, faculty, and leaders to promote well-being and a thriving campus community.
Student Resources
Resources to support your academic and personal well-being
Faculty Resources
Resources to support your well-being in teaching and research
Staff Resources
Resources to support your well-being at work
Leaders Resources
Resources to help leaders foster healthy and supportive teams
Our Journey
SFU has long championed health and well-being on campus. In 2015, we co-hosted the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges, welcoming partners from more than 40 countries. As one of the co-designers and first signatories of the Okanagan Charter, we played a leading role in convening and shaping its vision and content. The Okanagan Charter provides a shared framework for advancing health and well-being across campuses and encourages universities to lead health-promoting action locally and globally. These calls to action continue to guide our work and strengthen our commitment to building caring, inclusive, and thriving campus communities. The Healthy Campus Community (HCC) initiative was launched in 2011. Since 2015, it has drawn inspiration from the Okanagan Charter, setting the foundation for the work today.
SFU’s Community Well-Being Plan builds on this legacy, guiding how we integrate well-being into policies, programs, and campus spaces. The Healthy Campus Community initiative contributed significantly to creating supportive environments, embedding equity and inclusion, using well-being data effectively, and ensuring student voices informed programs and practices.
On the 10th year anniversary of the Okanagan Charter, we move into the next phase of well-being at SFU. We acknowledge the valuable contributions made through this initiative, with participation of many students, staff and faculty members at SFU. For archived resources, click here.
Developing an institution-wide community well-being plan
In Fall 2024, SFU completed an Excellence Canada Rapid Assessment, a baseline review with focus groups across campuses that highlighted our strengths, opportunities, and priority needs. These insights, along with guidance from the Okanagan Charter, the National Standards for Psychological Health and Safety, and the legacy of the Healthy Campus Community initiative, are shaping our action planning.