The HIVE Strategy

Healthy Institution Valuing Engagement 

The mental health and wellbeing of the Bow Valley College community is recognized as a collective responsibility. Through work in seven strategic priority areas identified in the HIVE Strategy, members of our community are called upon to foster a culture that is proactive, responsive, and committed to creating a healthy environment for all learners at Bow Valley College. 

VIEW THE HIVE STRATEGY HANDBOOK

Learn more about the HIVE framework

This framework is the visual representation of the seven key strategic priorities of The HIVE Strategy.

The priorities and goals identified in the HIVE strategy are inclusive of the college community. The accompanying 34 recommendations have been identified to support the mental health and wellness of learners over the next three years:

• 9 Recommendations to Implement will address existing gaps and encourage promising practices in the field of post-secondary mental health that are not currently in place for learners at the College be considered.  These recommendations include:  Inclusion, Infrastructure, Awareness, Engagement, Prevention, Access, and Intervention.
  
  
• 25 Recommendations to Enhance will further strengthen the great work already taking place at the College for learners.

The descriptions in each of the strategic priority areas were adapted from the 2013 Canadian Association of College & University Student Services and Canadian Mental Health Association’s Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach.

	INCLUSION A supportive, inclusive environment is perhaps the most important priority for establishing a sense of safety and belonging. There is a symbiotic relationship between each of the priorities of the HIVE Strategy and a campus that supports the inclusion of all its members. Attending to this priority, with the support of the other six core priorities, will further endorse Bow Valley Colleges’ reputation as a healthy environment. It is for this reason, that inclusion is the central priority in the framework. Goal:  The College is a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
	INFRASTRUCTURE Strategic goals, policies and practices, as well as leadership and spaces, affect the mental health and well-being of a community. Goal:  Mental health is integral to the culture and operations of the College.
	AWARENESS Knowledge and understanding support the prevention and management of mental health issues and help create resilience and a sense of well-being. Goal:  Mental health literacy is actively promoted and endorsed.
	ENGAGEMENT Active engagement supports the development of skills that decrease vulnerabilities associated with mental health issues. Goal:  Opportunities exist to build interpersonal connections and strengthen resiliency.
	PREVENTION Building capacity to recognize early indicators is important for response and support at the earliest possible time. Goal:  Supports are available at the level most appropriate to the needs of the individual.
	ACCESS Accessibility is a key factor in ensuring those who require support have the information needed to access them when needed. Goal:  Coordinated, barrier-free supports and services are in place.
	INTERVENTION Crisis management protocols are critical to ensure the safety of everyone and to effectively respond during and following crisis situations. Goal:  Crisis management protocols are effective, efficient and timely.

HIVE Resources

Information and resources for mental health wellness and awareness.

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