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Why is it so hard to make friends in Vancouver?

Published: March 22, 2023

Latest stories in Actions for change

Closeup shot of a man tying shoelaces in outdoors

Heads up guys! How to create daily habits and routines to manage your mental health

Making healthy habits sustainable can help to fight depression

Raising arms with social media likes icons

Online activism isn’t just slacktivism

How social media advocacy can lead to positive, real-life change

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From women’s rights to climate action: How ordinary people can help change the world

Supporting change in your own sphere of influence is just one way to make a difference.

A photo of a young couple at a kitchen table looking at a phone with a surprised look on their faces

Surprise, you’re married! What BC couples need to know about common-law spouse entitlements

The length of time partners must live together to be considered “common law” may surprise you—and it’s different in BC and federal law.

Toilet bowl in the restroom. Dramatic lighting.

Drug overdoses in public bathrooms are common: here’s how we could prevent harm

Communities can save lives by incorporating safe bathroom practices and raising awareness about overdose

Photo of Dr. Simon Donner on stage at Tedx

Why our imaginations are the key to solving climate change

Envisioning a different future can help us overcome inaction on climate change, says Dr. Simon Donner in his TEDx talk

A man posing with his arm up against orange background.

How to prepare for the 2022 flu season in BC

What to expect and where to get your influenza vaccine, along with answers to some common questions

Composite image of people looking unhappy: two people in business suits, a person wearing an apron at a coffee shop and a person in bed with their hand on their forehead

What are microaggressions?

Here are examples of how microaggressions show up in everyday interactions, including in the workplace and health-care settings

An illustration of an electric car plugged into a charger and surrounded by plants.

How climate storytelling helps people navigate complexity and find solutions

Despite learning that climate change is hitting the planet faster than scientists predicted, society has been slow to decrease the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate storytelling can help us navigate the complexity and find solutions.

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How drug decriminalization in BC could help save lives

This Q&A with a UBC addictions expert answers some key questions about the decriminalization of illegal drugs in BC

A photo of a young woman's hands using social media on an tablet

How girls are using social media for positive change

The online world has real dangers, but girls are using social media to create positive change and practice good digital citizenship.

Sockeye salmon in river

Learning from Indigenous knowledge holders on the state and future of wild Pacific salmon

Elders expressed great concern about the role of greed in management choices

A pink piggy bank with bandaids on dark background

A guaranteed basic income could end poverty, so why isn’t it happening?

Two UBC experts explain how a guaranteed basic income in Canada can be fair, simple and affordable.

Photo of Tamra Levy from the UBC Allard School of Law

Wrongfully convicted? New trial ordered for 1995 Gerald Klassen murder case

Director of the UBC Innocence Project explains what this means for Klassen and how his case highlights problems with the legal system

Managing mental health as pandemic restrictions ease

Many people are dealing with anxiety as we return to the new normal; here are tips to deal with uncertainty

Is it time to move on from Wordle? How crossword puzzles can help train your brain

Trying a variety of puzzles can help keep you mentally sharp

A group of people at a climate change protest. In the centre of the photo is a young woman with a child on her shoulders

The climate crisis demands courage, not optimism

Here’s why citizen action matters for climate change, despite uncertain outcomes

Woman in striped shirt and tights exercising on yoga mat while looking at tablet.

How to get motivated to start exercising at home

App-based workouts can help combat depression and boost mental health. Here are 7 tips to get moving

Four young people sharing glasses of wine and exchanging gifts

Spread cheer, not COVID: Tips for staying safe this holiday season

Here’s how to reduce the risk of COVID infection during gatherings at home and when flying for the holidays

Second-hand gifts, new experiences: shaking up holiday gift giving

More sustainable gift options can help beat inflation while reducing holiday landfill waste

How to make yourself a hard target for communicable diseases

Practices that help slow the spread of COVID-19 can also reduce your risk of the flu, colds and other illnesses

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Flu season is coming and it could be ugly: What you need to know

UBC’s Dr. Michael Curry weighs in on how to reduce your risk of getting sick

Recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose

Knowing what to look for and how to use a take-home naloxone kit can save a life, says the Executive Director of the BC Centre on Substance Use

People gathered in discussion about mental health.

Why addressing stigma around substance use matters

UBC experts say we need to normalize the conversation, as we’ve done with other health conditions

Orange shirts with the phrase "Every Child Matters" printed on them line Marine Drive in Vancouver as a memorial for the Indigenous children who were sent to Residential Schools in Canada.

6 ways to deepen your understanding of Indian residential school history

Here’s how to learn more on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the same date as Orange Shirt Day

Children's shoes and a painted orange rock that reads "Every Child Matters" site at a memorial at Canada's Parliament Hill for Indigenous children who were sent to Residential Schools

Truth before reconciliation: 8 ways to identify and confront Residential School denialism

Denialism obscures the truth about Canada’s Indian Residential School system in ways that protect the status quo

Smoke from wildfires descends on Vancouver

10 tips for coping with wildfire smoke, from a public health expert

Protect yourself from the risks of hazardous wildfire smoke

A photo illustration of several neon "Open" signs alight in the dark to signify re-opening of society after COVID-19

Re-entry anxiety: How to adjust to a new, uncertain routine

As the pandemic eases and society opens up, UBC clinical psychologist Dr. Lynn Alden offers tips to help you cope

A photo illustration depicting a bird about to fly into a window

Three easy ways to reduce bird collisions at home

Windows crashes are much more common than you might think, but there is plenty you can do to help

An illustration showing what one can say as an active witness during a racist attack. Phrases like "Are you okay?" and "You're not alone" appear.

Racist incidents are on the rise: How to be an active witness

From stepping in to help the victim to reporting the incident, you have more options than you might think

Three people measure a tree in their neighbourhood

How to climate-proof your neighbourhood, one step at a time

The Citizen’s Coolkit offers ideas for action to help cool your neighbourhood

Woman cutting peppers

5 ways to cut food waste at home

Wasting food wastes money and the resources used to grow and distribute it. Here’s how Canadians can reduce household food waste

8 tips to communicate better while wearing a face mask

Strategies such as exaggerating eye expressions can help us better understand one another

A group of people holds anti-racism signs at a Black Lives Matter protest

How to be a mindful anti-racist

A mindfulness practice may offer respite and a way to support desire for social justice action

An illustration of two people choosing a new career and personal financial path

Small change. Big difference. How to advance your career and financial life in 2021

Here’s how experts say that you can move forward

A person does an exercise workout by using water bottles as weights

How to work “exercise snacks” into your day

Research shows that “fitness snacking” adds up and even small bites of exercise are good for you

A women drinks hot chocolate to improve her mental health over the holiday season

How to boost your mental health over the holidays

Six strategies to help you get through December amid the COVID-19 pandemic

An active, older adult walks her dog in the park

How older adults can embrace new routines

Physical distancing has disrupted the lives of many active seniors; here’s how to adapt

Illustration of a young man having a conversation with a senior woman

Neighbourhood watch: How to help active seniors combat isolation

Community members and organizations can help older adults connect online during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dr. Claudia Krebs shows the human brain in a UBC neuroanatomy video

You don’t have to be a neuroscientist to understand your brain

UBC neuroanatomy professor created YouTube videos to make medical education more accessible