Post-secondary aged youth are a social group too often consumed by uncertainty about their future and inadequate opportunities for personal fulfillment. They are immersed in questions relating to adolescence, to their current relationship with family, their community, and the overall system they live in.

Known causes of stress
Normal adolescent development, the climate crisis, and the transfer from high school to higher education are all known causes of stress. World events in 2020 with COVID-19, social isolation, and current social unrest has added to this already high level of anxiety.

This challenges organizations like Dawson College to develop tools to help students and teachers in these unprecedented times. We feel we have a project that will help.

Dawson is a leader in the college network in developing sustainability projects that engage students while building community and empowering youth for still more positive change.

Tool for well-being 
We have put together a team of experts in the field of developmental psychology, sustainable development and education to develop a 100-day Sustainable Happiness Semester Journal as a tool students and educators can use that addresses their well-being, that of others, and the planet – well-being for all.

This will hopefully also permit students to distance themselves from some of the anxiety they are experiencing through the writing process. It will be ready in August 2020.

Reconnecting to ourselves and the environment 
Through a reflective process with guided questions lasting 100 days, we strive to demonstrate how reconnecting with ourselves and the environment is good for everyone. The journal will be designed to challenge students and educators to link their thoughts to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Benefits 
We believe the benefit of such projects have far-reaching positive consequences for society in terms of health, education and sustainable futures.

“The connection between sustainability and happiness is best illustrated by the concept of “sustainable happiness” coined by Catherine O’Brien … It is no longer possible to imagine a future where the pursuit of happiness is not somehow connected to sustainability. As the human species continues its quest for happiness and well-being, more emphasis must be placed on sustainability and the interaction between sustainability and happiness.”

Happiness Research Institute, Denmark

(Sustainable Happiness report, 2015, p.16)

If Dawson teachers would like more information and/or copies of the Sustainable Happiness Semester Journal for their class, please leave a request with Chris Adam- Sustainability Office: cadam@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

More information on Sustainable Happiness: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sustainable/sustainable-happiness/who-are-you/