University Wellbeing: Meaning Mindset in Mental Health Promotion & Conflict Management

At any given point in time, one in five people experience a diagnosable mental health concern. Post-pandemic, current self-reported rates of poor mental health have increased sharply to approximately 30% in Ontario. The hallmark of such concerns is difficulty in social, occupational, academic, or other key areas of functioning. Given this, there has been a corresponding drastic increase in workplace conflict and stressors, including in university settings. By contrast, a mentally healthy university campus is associated with productivity and performance, interpersonal communication, tolerance for workplace pressures, as well as reduced irritability, misunderstandings, and conflicts. Over the past decade, my research team of students and collaborating colleagues have explored how to promote Meaning Mindset (MM), which is significantly associated with mental health. Further, grounded in MM theory, we have developed a conflict resolution protocol, called EASE (Empathize, Acknowledge, Solve, Explore), that is associated with positive dispute resolution and mental health outcomes. This presentation will include our recent research on MM and EASE and involve hands-on exercises to teach MM and EASE skills to promote campus wellbeing. Participants will leave with mental health promotion and conflict resolution skills that they can use in their everyday lives.