Office of Well-being

“A healthy workforce is the foundation for thriving organizations and healthier communities,” said Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “As we recover from the worst of the pandemic, we have an opportunity and the power to make workplaces engines for mental health and well-being, and this Surgeon General’s Framework shows us how we can start. It will require organizations to rethink how they protect workers from harm, foster a sense of connection among workers, show workers that they matter, make space for their lives outside work, and support their growth. It will be worth it, because the benefits will accrue for workers and organizations alike.”

For more information on fostering resilience and promoting workplace well-being, visit the Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Well-Being.

Resilience: A Key to Thriving in Adversity

Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and grow in response to challenges. It is a dynamic process that strengthens individuals, teams, organizations, and systems to face adversity with courage and flexibility.

As highlighted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), resilience enables people to not only survive but thrive during difficult times. By fostering skills such as building strong relationships, maintaining a positive outlook, understanding emotions, balancing work and life, and reflecting on experiences, individuals can develop resilience. These strategies not only support personal growth but also help improve retention and combat burnout in professional environments.

For more information, visit AACN’s Resilience Toolkit.

Collective well-being provides a comprehensive approach to understanding the health of a community, focusing on creating an environment where all members can thrive. The UNC School of Nursing is committed to fostering a sense of collective well-being among faculty, students, staff, and trainees.

UNC offers an array of resources and programs to promote well-being across these domains, creating a supportive environment where members can flourish personally and professionally.

For more insights into collective well-being, explore the literature review Collective Well-Being to Improve Health Outcomes: An Actionable Conceptual Model and Review of the Literature.