Nov 14, 2018
Vancouver, BC - At a ceremony held on campus today, Langara College became the first college in British Columbia to sign on to the Okanagan Charter. The Charter calls on post-secondary institutions to embed health into all aspects of campus culture for students, staff, and faculty. Over 20 universities and colleges across Canada have signed the Charter to promote action and collaboration, locally and globally.
The Charter was signed at Langara’s annual Health & Wellness Fair by Dr. Lane Trotter, Langara College President & CEO; Matt Dolf, Chair, Canadian Health Promoting Campuses Network; and Gail Sparrow, Langara’s Elder-in-Residence from the Musqueam Nation.
“It’s exciting to see institutions across Canada such as Langara making mental health and wellbeing a priority for their communities. It reflects the College’s proactive approach in creating a healthy environment for students, staff, and faculty, and its willingness to lead by example,” said Dolf.
Signing the Charter is an initiative of Langara’s first Mental Health Framework, a comprehensive outline of Langara’s commitments and objectives to protect and promote the wellbeing of the Langara community. The Framework acknowledges the need to incorporate health promotion values and principles into Langara’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
“The College has been committed to developing a Mental Health Framework that protects and promotes the physical and mental well-being of our students and employees, through the formation of a Mental Health Framework Committee,” said Dawn Palmer, Vice President, People Services. “We are pleased to roll out the framework and sign on to the Okanagan Charter. Both documents set the foundation for a mentally healthy campus and are aligned with our overall wellness strategy.”
Langara’s Mental Health Framework Committee was formed in 2016 and includes members from Langara’s Student Services, People Services, and Communications & Marketing, as well as students. The committee developed a three-year action plan that provides the Langara community with resources and support to create and maintain a healthy environment. In addition to signing the Okanagan Charter, other initiatives for 2018/19 include the development of a resource guide, promotion of mental health training, and hiring a dedicated mental health initiatives consultant to implement the Framework.
About the Okanagan Charter
This international Charter was an outcome of the 2015 International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges held on the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus in Kelowna, Canada on June 22-25, 2015. The Charter development process engaged researchers, practitioners, administrators, students, and policy makers from 45 countries. The first draft of the Charter was based on input from 225 people through a pre-conference survey and expert interviews as well as a review of existing Charters and Declarations.
About Langara
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located. Langara is celebrating its 49th year on West 49th Avenue with Beyond 49, an integrated celebration, alumni engagement, and fundraising campaign to reconnect with alumni, and raise funds for student support and important College initiatives.
Learn more.
Deborah Schratter
Communications Officer
Langara College
604.323.5014
dschratter@langara.ca
