Program Info
We invite you to join us and Thrive! With activities like nature walks, mental health and well-being courses and sessions, access to activities, and more, there’s something for everyone — no matter your interests or schedule. Join together as a community to learn about, talk about, and explore ways to support our mental health at McMaster!
Book Exchange: Leave a Book, Take a Book
All week (during HSL open hours)
Health Sciences Library (HSL)
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries
Drop-in: No registration required
- Leave a Book: Do you have a finished novel gathering dust? Bring it to our Book Exchange table to give another reader a chance to enjoy it.
- Take a Book: Browse our selection and help yourself to a few new “must-reads.” There is no checkout required—just grab what inspires you!
Pet Therapy with Franki
Monday, January 26, 2026
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Health Sciences Centre Library, 2nd floor (main entrance)
Open to everyone
Hosted by Health Sciences Librarians
Drop-in: no registration required
Paws and relax with Franki the therapy dog from St. John’s Ambulance, an affectionate corgi. A smile from Franki will make your day!
Make Your Own Stress Ball Learn more
Monday, January 26, 2026
3 – 4 p.m.
Mills Library
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries
Drop-in: No registration required
Drop by Mills Library Lobby during this session to make your very own DIY stress ball!
Hide & Go Sloth Scavenger Hunt Learn more
Tuesday January 27, 2026
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mills Library
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries
Drop in: No registration required
Join us for an exciting scavenger hunt at Mills Library! Bring friends or go solo, and see if you can solve all the clues and find the elusive sloth!
Webinar: Mental Health Benefits Learn more and register
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
11 a.m. – 12 noon
Hosted on Zoom
Open to faculty and staff
Hosted by Human Resources Services
Join this virtual event to learn more about mental health benefits available through SunLife and Telus Health.
Putt Putt in the Gov Pubs
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mills Library, 2nd Floor, Gov Pubs
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries
Drop-in: No registration required
A mini golf course winding through the 2nd floor Government Publication stacks with a chance to win a prize. How novel!
Walk in Nature Learn more and register
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
PGCLL Level 2, Wellness Lounge
Open to Students
Hosted by Student Wellness Centre
Led by a Health Promoter or student leaders from the Student Wellness Centre, you’ll go on a walk on one of the trails surrounding McMaster campus. Take time away from your studies, make new friends, and connect with the beautiful nature surrounding Mac’s campus with Walk in Nature.
Cut, Paste, Create: Moodboard Making
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Mills Library Lyons New Media Centre (4th floor)
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries Queer Study Buddies
Drop in: no registration required
Join this session for a special mood board making craft. Manifest your best self for the year to come, collage some favourite things, or just hang out with other queer students while you study. Supplies will be provided.
Volunteer Opportunity: Seed Packing Learn more
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
12 noon – 1 p.m.
Mills Library Wong Classroom
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries Sustainability Committee
Drop in: No registration required
Join us at this session to help us pack seed packages for distribution in preparation for the 2026 Seed Library.
@HomewithMac – Renew Your Network: Elevate your dialogue to create meaningful relationships Learn more
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
7 – 8 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Open to everyone
Hosted by Alumni Engagement Office
Building our network does not have to be a daunting task full of small talk and awkward conversations.
The Working Mind for Leaders Learn more and register
Wednesday, January 28 – Thursday, January 29
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. both days
Open to McMaster faculty and staff people leaders
Hosted by Human Resources Services
This evidence-based training was developed to initiate a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health.
Therapy Dog Learn more and register
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
11 a.m. – 12 noon
PGCLL Level 2, Wellness Lounge
Open to everyone
Hosted by Student Wellness Centre
Drop in: No registration required
Do you miss your dog? Are you grieving your dog? Have you you always wanted a dog but never got one? Are you feeling stressed, sad, or just in need of some extra comfort? Drop by for a wagging tail, a warm smile, and a little extra cheer!
Stories that Connect: Ancestral Journalling & Bookbinding Workshop Learn more and register
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
12 – 1:30 p.m.
McMaster Museum of Art (A102 + Galleries)
Open to everyone
Hosted by McMaster Museum of Art
A two-part self-reflective workshop that dives into bookmaking and journalling (in reflection to Meryl McMaster’s nikihci-âniskotâpân/bloodline)
Make Your Own Stress Ball Learn more
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
3 – 4 p.m.
Mills Library
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries
Drop-in: No registration required
Drop by Mills Library Lobby during this session to make your very own DIY stress ball!
safeTALK Suicide Alertness Training Learn more and register
Wednesday January 28, 2026
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
PGCLL Level 2, Wellness Lounge
Open to McMaster students
Hosted by Student Wellness Centre
Register for this half-day training to prepare and become certified as a suicide-alert helper.
@HomewithMac - Recharge: The Health Benefits of Sleep Learn more and register
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
7 – 8 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Open to everyone
Hosted by Alumni Engagement Office
Understanding how and why we sleep is essential to maintaining both physical and mental well‑being.
Skills for Psychological Safety Learn more and register
Thursday, January 29, 2026
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Open to faculty and staff
Hosted by Human Resources Services
In this session, employees will explore their role in creating a culture of psychological safety.
Make a Friend: Friendship Bracelet Making Learn more and register
Thursday, January 29, 2026
12 noon – 2 p.m.
PGCLL Level 2, Wellness Lounge
Open to students
Hosted by Student Wellness Centre
Join us for an afternoon of new connections, bracelet making, and snacks! Supplies provided.
DIY Fidget Toys in the Makerspace Learn more and register
Thursday, January 29, 2026
1 – 3 p.m.
Thode Library Makerspace
Open to McMaster students
Hosted by Student Accessibility Services
Registration is preferred
Visit the Makerspace in Thode Library to make your own fidget toy and chat with Student Accessibility Services peer mentors!
Volunteer Opportunity: Seed Packing Learn more
Thursday, January 29, 2026
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Mills Library Wong Classroom
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries Sustainability Committee
Drop in: No registration required
Join us at this session to help us pack seed packages for distribution in preparation for the 2026 Seed Library.
Rare Books by Candlelight Learn more and register
Thursday, January 29, 2026
4:15 – 6:15 p.m.
Mills Library Lower Level, Archives & Research Collection
Open to everyone
Hosted by University Libraries
Transport yourself back in time! This event invites you to enjoy a unique sensory experience perusing the pages of ancient tomes by candlelight in an oak-paneled reading room.
@HomewithMac - Fitness Reset: Why Movement Matters Learn more and register
Thursday, January 29, 2026
7 – 8 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Open to everyone
Hosted by Alumni Engagement Office
Understanding how and why we sleep is essential to maintaining both physical and mental well‑being.
Mindfulness Through Art Learn more and register
Friday, January 30, 2026
12 noon – 1 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Open to faculty and staff
Hosted by Office of the Provost, Mac Mindfulness
This session introduces simple art-based practices that help quiet the mind, improve focus, and cultivate calm. No art experience necessary.
Employee Night with the Marauders Learn more and register
Friday, January 30
6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Burridge Gym in Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster Campus
Open to faculty and staff (and their family)
Hosted by Athletics & Recreation
Join your McMaster colleagues for a fun night of basketball cheering on our McMaster Marauders against York University.
Incorporate well-being into your daily routines
This Thrive Week, we encourage you to incorporate well-being activities into your daily routine, for yourself and others. To help with this, we have created some slides you can add to meetings, lectures and presentations. Click the links below to download some of the pre-filled slides or use the templates provided to make your own! We also have a Thrive Week Zoom background you can download, to help remind others to check out our mental health resources. Help spread the word – let’s get everyone thinking and talking about mental health!
Help us spread the word!
Download our pre-filled slides
Each link downloads a different pre-filled slide, depending on which type of activity you would like to incorporate!
Instructions for a box-breathing exercise.
Includes a link to 4-minute movement video.
Additional Resources
Box Breathing Exercise Watch Video
Follow along to this box breathing exercise video.
Body Break Watch Video
Try this 4-minute movement activity!