StrengthsQuest tool growing in popularity among students, faculty, and staff

Thinking back to the days when you brought your report card home from school, did you focus on the subjects that were going well, or that one subject that was never your forte? Whether we realize it or not, many of us focus on our areas of growth and what we don’t like about ourselves rather than the areas in which we already thrive and stand out.

Since 2013, the University of Calgary has used the positive-psychology-based StrengthsQuest tool to give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to do exactly this — discover, own and then apply their top talent themes. Increased self-awareness, developing stronger teamwork skills in academic classes and co-curricular teams, and career exploration are just a few of the ways more than 7,700 members of our campus community have been able to put their strengths into action.

“As a part of the overall UCalgaryStrong initiative, knowing our talents and what makes us unique is such a key part of positive mental health,” says Clare Hickie, one of the organizers of the annual Outrun the Stigma event. “Understanding our individual talents also allows us to better approach areas of conflict and stress, and in turn to develop resilience in everyday life.”

To date, strengths-based programming has been used in student life programs like Orientation Week and Camp LEAD, is a core part of programming in Career Services, is offered as part of Human Resources’ slate of U-programming, and is part of the Students’ Union Wellness Centre Roots of Resiliency program.

StrengthsQuest used in academic courses

Last semester, StrengthsQuest was also used in 30 sections of seven courses in four faculties. As course groups began their work, students discussed their strengths, as well as other key aspects of effective group work like communication and conflict.

Reed Ferber, director of the Running Injury Clinic and associate professor in the faculties of kinesiology and nursing, notes, “StrengthsQuest has been really valuable in helping to diversify the lab groups within the Human Anatomy labs. The results are used to create diverse groups of students who can then work together in different ways and optimize their learning environment.”

One of the six focus areas of the Campus Mental Health Strategy is developing personal resilience and self management. StrengthsQuest is one way for students to identify the aspects of their personalities that will help them be successful and to develop coping skills to strengthen their resilience to the demands of academic life.

Learn more about StrengthsQuest. To have StrengthsQuest be part of your class or group, email Gareth.

Join us for a celebratory day of events to promote mental health and wellness in our university family on March 7.

The University of Calgary’s Campus Mental Health Strategy is a bold commitment to the importance of mental health and well-being of our university family. Our vision is to be a community where we care for each other, learn and talk about mental health and well-being, receive support as needed, and individually and collectively realize our full potential. If you think you need help, please visit resources here. If you think someone you know needs help, find more information here.