Health and Wellness Centre

Mental Health

Feeling distressed? Find someone to talk to right now – and if there is an immediate risk, call 911.

With exam season about to get underway, the ��Ƶ is ramping up support services across its three campuses to give students the help they need during this busy period.

Students on the St. George campus will once again have access to drop-in counselling at the Robarts Library seven days a week through Dec. 20. The service is available in four languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi and Mandarin.

The initiative was first introduced during the spring exam period this year.

Read nine tips to manage nerves and do your best

At U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough, meanwhile, counselling will be available through the Health & Counselling Centre and Health & Wellness Centre, respectively.

U of T Mississauga is also making same-day advising appointments available for students who are experiencing distress or require end-of-term assistance for disability-related issues. In addition, there will be an adviser available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and by phone after 5 p.m.) to support students in the test centre.

There are also numerous other activities to help students prepare, de-stress and do their best. Here's a partial list of wellness supports available to U of T students during exams:

St. George campus

Drop-In Counselling – Counsellors from My SSP will be available daily during the fall exam period. Counselling is free and open to all students. Services are offered in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Mandarin

When: Dec. 9-20 (see website for times)
Where: Robarts Library, Rooms 1153 and 1155

Therapy Dogs – Bella and Beau, the St. John Ambulance therapy dogs, are back to help you relax on your study break!

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays until Dec. 17 (see website for times)
Where: Gerstein Science Information Centre

Brain Break – Get moving with a 10-minute physical activity, enter in draws to win prizes and grab some snacks before heading back to your studies refreshed

When: Dec. 5, 6 and 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Robarts Library, south lobby, second floor (see website for details)

Mindful Moments sessions – Practice secular mindful meditation techniques that increase relaxation and focus

When: Various times until mid-December (see website for details)
Where: Various locations (see website for details)

Exam Jam (U of T Engineering) – Instructor-led review sessions and wellness activities include a free healthy lunch, massages, board games, crafts and more

When: Thursday, Dec. 5 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Wellness features available in The Pit. Check website for room information for review sessions

Exam Jam (Faculty of Arts & Science) – Instructor-led review sessions and wellness activities include massages, therapy dogs, free snacks, photo booth and more

When: Friday, Dec. 6 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Where: Wellness activities and features in lobby of Sidney Smith Hall. Check website for room information for review sessions

U of T Mississauga

Students participate in an exam jam at U of T Mississauga in 2017 (photo courtesy of U of T Mississauga)

Wellness Routes – Take part in a de-stressing walk while sharing your tips and learning about stress management during the exam period. Led by Nikki Robichaud of the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC)

When: Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Meet at RAWC entrance (see website for details)

Exam Jam – Therapy dogs, board games, crafts, instructor-led course review sessions and more

When: Friday, Dec. 5 at various times (Check website for details)
Where: Various locations

U of T Scarborough

Peer-To-Peer Drop-Ins – Speak to peers, learn coping strategies and learn about available resources on campus

When: Dec. 6 at 12 p.m.
Where: UTSC Health & Wellness Centre (check website for details)

Round-the-clock support:

Students can speak to a trained crisis worker at any hour of the day.

My SSP for U of T Students 1-844-451-9700. Immediate counselling support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages.

Other 24-7 supports available to students include:

Good 2 Talk Student Helpline 1-866-925-5454. Professional counselling, information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being.
Gerstein Crisis Centre 416-929-5200
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto 416-408-HELP (4357)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 250 College Street
Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line 416-360-0486

The following services are available to students on all three campuses:

St. George campus: Health and Wellness Centre (416-978-8030), located at Koffler Student Services
U of T Scarborough: Health & Wellness Centre 416-287-7065
U of T Mississauga: Health & Counselling Centre 905-828-5255

Faculty and staff have access to 24-7 support through:

The Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offered through Homewood Health, online and by phone at 1-800-663-1142

Students, staff and faculty invited to give their input on future of campus mental health services

geoff.vendeville — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Students, staff and faculty invited to give their input on future of campus mental health services

geoff.vendeville Tue, 11/12/2019 - 00:00

Cutline

“My mental health challenges became debilitating during what should have been the best time of my life,” says Egag Egag, a student member of the task force on student mental health. “I’m in a much better place now” (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Our Community

Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty & Staff

Graduate Students

Mental Health

Egag Egag’s first years of university didn’t pan out the way he expected.

He moved to Ottawa from Toronto to study philosophy and sociology, hoping he would also make new friendships that would last a lifetime. But in an unfamiliar city 400 kilometres away from home, he found it difficult to meet new people.

“People were living their lives, partying and demonstrating how great their lives were on Facebook,” he recalls. “I was receptive to that in a way that made me feel really left out.”

There was also the added pressure of being a first-generation student who was trying to make his family proud. He felt he couldn't relate to other students and experienced panic attacks throughout his undergraduate years.

He came back to Toronto and transferred to the ��Ƶ Mississauga, where he saw a counsellor in his final year before graduating in sociology with high distinction. He landed a job soon after, but that's when his mental health challenges peaked.

“My mental health challenges became debilitating during what should have been the best time of my life,” Egag says.

But he found help. He saw a therapist, who continued his counselling, and a family doctor, who prescribed medication for obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.

“I’m in a much better place now,” he says. “I was very fortunate to have had very supportive people … but I know that’s not always the case for everyone else around my age.”

Egag is now pursuing a master’s degree in social work at U of T and working as a student counsellor at Family Services Toronto, a career track influenced by his lived experience of mental health challenges. At the same time, he is helping shape the future of mental health services on campus by lending his time and insights to the Presidential & Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health. The group, composed of students, faculty and staff, is reviewing mental health supports across the university and has already conducted a lengthy consultation process on all three campuses.

Now, the task force is seeking students’ feedback on the broad themes that emerged from the consultations. From Monday to Friday this week, students, staff and faculty can weigh in on the draft summary of themes during student-run feedback sessions on the three campuses that have been organized by the Innovation Hub. No registration is required for the “pop-up” events, which are being held in high-traffic spaces.

Members of the U of T community can also provide their input through an online form until Nov. 25 or by emailing studentmentalhealth@utoronto.ca.

Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students, serves as senior assessor of the task force.

“We want to make sure that we are heading in the right direction,” she says, “and so we want to check in with people before we start finalizing any recommendations on these very important issues.”

The themes identified by the task force include questions around the availability of mental health services and how those services are communicated to the university community. Some students, for example, expressed concern about waitlists for counselling appointments and the number of available spots. The task force also identified a need to make pathways to mental health supports more transparent and accessible.

As for communication, the task force found that there is misunderstanding about the university’s mandated leave of absence policy. The measure – to be used only in exceptional circumstances – was intended to provide the university with a way of helping students who display concerning behaviour that suggests extreme mental health challenges or serious health issues.

“The policy is helping the very small number of students it was designed to help in terms of providing a compassionate and supportive way for them to take a break and come back,” Welsh says.

On the broader topic of demand for mental health services on campus, Welsh says U of T isn’t the only post-secondary institution that is working hard to meet students’ increased and changing needs.

“All universities in Ontario, Canada – even North America – are in the same position,” she says. “We are acutely aware of the need for mental health services, but as an educational institution we know we can’t deliver these services alone.

“We need engagement with other community partners and levels of government.”

Last month, U of T President Meric Gertler made many of the same points in a letter supporting a Toronto city council motion asking the federal government for funds to bolster local mental health supports.

“The magnitude of these problems requires multiple partners working together so that solutions can be found,” President Gertler wrote.

While it can be difficult to talk about one's mental health challenges, Egag says it's vital for the community to participate in consultations so that students receive the support they need.

"I'm of the opinion that those of us living with mental health challenges have our own unique stories,” he says. “[But] they may sometimes feel very hard to articulate and share with others – unfortunately leaving us to feel that we have to suffer in silence.

“If I could talk to myself at the start of my undergraduate studies, I would have told myself that I am deserving of feeling at peace – just as I think every student is.”

In the eight years since he started university, Egag says there's been a noticeable change in the conversation around mental health and he hopes things continue to change for the better.

“For any student reading this, I want them to know that getting into the ��Ƶ is an incredible accomplishment, and they are deserving of support when needed,” he says.

And if you see him around campus, Egag says don't hesitate to stop and say, “Hello.”

“You are more than welcome to tell me if you're having a bad day,” he says.

Feeling distressed? Find someone to talk to right now – and if there is an immediate risk, call 911 or Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

The following are some of the mental health services available to students on all three campuses:

Downtown Toronto: Health and Wellness Centre (416-978-8030), located at Koffler Student Services

U of T Scarborough: Health & Wellness Centre 416-287-7065

U of T Mississauga: Health & Counselling Centre 905-828-5255

Round-the-clock support

Free 24/7 support is available outside the university. Students, staff and faculty can speak to a trained crisis worker at any hour of the day.

Good 2 Talk 1-866-925-5454

Gerstein Crisis Centre 416-929-5200

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto 416-408-HELP (4357)

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 250 College Street

Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line 416-360-0486

My SSP for U of T Students 1-844-451-9700. Immediate support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages.

Appointed faculty and staff have access to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offered through Homewood Health, online and by phone at 1-800-663-1142.

U of T's executive director of Health and Wellness helps spearhead national standard on student mental health

geoff.vendeville — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

U of T's executive director of Health and Wellness helps spearhead national standard on student mental health

geoff.vendeville Tue, 10/29/2019 - 00:00

Cutline

Janine Robb, U of T's executive director of Health and Wellness, is the chair of the technical committee for the Post-Secondary Students Standard, a set of national guidelines being drafted to support student mental health (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Our Community

Graduate Students

Mental Health

The statistics are concerning.

Two out of three post-secondary students in Canada say stress negatively affects their studies. Half have used campus mental health services, with 10 per cent being seen in crisis or urgent situations, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

As the demand for mental health services grows on campuses across the country, the commission is championing the development of a new standard for post-secondary school students’ psychological health and safety, a voluntary set of guidelines to promote the mental health and well-being of students. The work is being done in collaboration with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) as the standards development organization.

Janine Robb, the executive director of Health and Wellness at the ��Ƶ, is helping lead the development of the standard as the chair of the CSA Group’s technical committee, consulting with other experts in the field from coast to coast.

“We certainly know that over the last number of years we’ve seen an increase in students presenting with mental health concerns,” Robb told U of T News. Community supports outside the university are lacking, she added, putting the onus on post-secondary institutions.

Robb says university can be a stressful place, especially for new students. “There’s all the transitional pieces that hit students when they get to university,” she says. “They’re away from family, they’re away from their supports. It’s a different routine.” And many undergraduates fall within the age group of 16 to 24 years old, when 75 per cent of mental health diagnoses occur.

The mental health guidelines are meant to emphasize a collaborative approach to promoting students’ mental health, decrease stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage students to seek help. They may also help increase mental health literacy in both students and staff.

For universities, the standard provides benchmarks to support students’ mental health while identifying best practices for campus wellness.

The guidelines were drafted by a committee of students, administrators, faculty, staff and campus union leaders, and informed by an extensive set of community engagement activities undertaken by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The CSA Z2003 psychological health and safety for post-secondary students draft standard is now out for public review. Online feedback on the draft is being sought until Nov. 6.

“Many Canadian schools, including U of T, have already developed a mental health framework,” Robb said. “This is actually taking it to the next step.”

The standard is meant to align with the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace that has been recognized in Canada since 2013. The CSA Z2003 Post-Secondary Students Standard emphasizes a collaborative approach toward supporting the mental health of students by reinforcing the shared responsibility of students, staff and faculty.

“We want to create a model, a socio-ecological approach, whereby everybody within the community has a responsibility to be mindful of other individuals’ mental health,” Robb said.

“Students, staff and faculty all have a need to pay attention to behavioural changes in their vicinity. Where possible, they should have a brief interaction and steer someone toward the proper resources if necessary,” she added.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada initiative is funded by the RBC Foundation, Bell Let’s Talk, the Rossy Foundation and Health Canada.

Robb hopes the standard will be ready in the spring, and that U of T will be an early adopter so that it can be applied with the workplace standards “under a global umbrella of a healthy campus.”

Feeling distressed? Find someone to talk to right now – and if there is an immediate risk, call 911 or Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

The following are some of the mental health services available to students on all three campuses:

Downtown Toronto: Health and Wellness Centre (416-978-8030), located at Koffler Student Services

U of T Scarborough: Health & Wellness Centre 416-287-7065

U of T Mississauga: Health & Counselling Centre 905-828-5255

Round-the-clock support

Free 24/7 support is available outside the university. Students, staff and faculty can speak to a trained crisis worker at any hour of the day.

Good 2 Talk 1-866-925-5454

Gerstein Crisis Centre 416-929-5200

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto 416-408-HELP (4357)

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 250 College Street

Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line 416-360-0486

My SSP for U of T Students 1-844-451-9700. Immediate support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages.

Appointed faculty and staff have access to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offered through Homewood Health, online and by phone at 1-800-663-1142.

U of T to improve safety at Bahen Centre as it reopens

lanthierj — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

U of T to improve safety at Bahen Centre as it reopens

lanthierj Sun, 09/29/2019 - 00:00

Topic

Our Community

Faculty & Staff

Graduate Students

Subheadline

University to set up memorial after student death

The Bahen Centre for Information Technology will reopen Sunday at 11 a.m. following the death of a student on Friday night.

“We are taking immediate steps to improve safety at the Bahen Centre and we will continue to work on permanent changes,” said Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students at the ��Ƶ.

“The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. We’ve listened to concerns about the building and are putting in place measures that will improve safety.”

The university has been working with the building’s architects since last spring to design permanent changes that will enhance safety in Bahen. Construction begins Sunday to put temporary barriers in place, with installation of long-term changes expected to get underway later this fall.

“We mourn the loss of our student, and we are here to support our community,” Welsh said. “Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, fellow students, staff and instructors.”

Once family members confirm their wishes, more information about the student may be shared.

Counsellors and chaplains will continue to be available Sunday until 4 p.m. at the Health and Wellness Centre in the Koffler Student Services Centre (first floor, room 111), in addition to regular services.

“We recognize that many people in our community would like to pay tribute and mourn the loss of one of our students,” Welsh said. “When the Bahen Centre reopens, members of our community who wish to pay respects will have the opportunity to do so and cards to share messages of sympathy and concern will be provided.”

Feeling distressed? Find someone to talk to right now – and if there is an immediate risk, call 911.

Round-the-clock support

Free 24/7 support is available outside the university. Students, staff and faculty can speak to a trained crisis worker at any hour of the day.

Good 2 Talk Student Helpline 1-866-925-5454. Professional counselling, information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being.
Gerstein Crisis Centre 416-929-5200
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto 416-408-HELP (4357)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 250 College Street
Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line 416-360-0486
My SSP for U of T Students 1-844-451-9700. Immediate counselling support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages.
Appointed faculty and staff have access to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offered through Homewood Health, online and by phone at 1-800-663-1142

The following are some of the services available to students on all three campuses:

St. George campus: Health and Wellness Centre (416-978-8030), located at Koffler Student Services
U of T Scarborough: Health & Wellness Centre 416-287-7065
U of T Mississauga: Health & Counselling Centre 905-828-5255

U of T community mourns student killed in attack

noreen.rasbach — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 21:06:15 +0000

U of T community mourns student killed in attack

noreen.rasbach Thu, 04/26/2018 - 17:06

Topic

City & Culture

Human Resources & Equity

Meric Gertler

The ��Ƶ has learned that one of our students has died as a result of Monday’s van attack on Yonge Street. The university is aware of media reports about the student’s death and other members of the university community directly affected by the attack. We are working to gather information while respecting the privacy of all those involved.

“We are deeply saddened that a member of our community has died as a result of this terrible incident,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “We mourn the loss of our student and want those affected to know that they have the support of the university.

“In addition to those who are directly affected, we know that many at U of T are hurting. We encourage those in need of assistance to seek help through the services available to them on campus, as well as in the wider community.”

Read a message from President Meric Gertler to the U of T community

U of T’s Health & Wellness Centre provides a list of resources for students. For faculty and staff, the HR & Equity department provides a list of resources. In addition, the university will continue to provide support to those directly affected.

This week, U of T has lowered its flags across all three campuses to honour the 10 people who were killed and the 15 people who were injured. In the days to come, the university will announce plans to honour the victims of the attack.

“This attack has touched the lives of so many people, here and around the globe,” said President Gertler. “We want them to know they are in our thoughts. I also want to thank all members of our U of T community who are working to support them. And I join so many other Torontonians in thanking the first-responders involved, for their outstanding professionalism and service.”

The City of Toronto will host the #TorontoStrong Vigil on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Mel Lastman Square. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Displaying the resiliency of Torontonians, the city-hosted vigil is being organized in collaboration with community groups Faith in the City and the Toronto Area Interfaith Council.

U of T saddened by 'horrific' van attack: President Meric Gertler

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:22:09 +0000

U of T saddened by 'horrific' van attack: President Meric Gertler

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:22

Cutline

A Canadian flag flies at half-mast Tuesday at the ��Ƶ's downtown Toronto campus (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Topic

Meric Gertler

The ��Ƶ is offering its condolences to the victims of the devastating van attack near Yonge Street and Finch Avenue that’s being dubbed the country’s worst mass killing in nearly 30 years.

U of T President Meric Gertler tweeted Monday evening he was saddened by the “horrific” attack that occurred just hours earlier when a rental van jumped a curb and drove into pedestrians on a busy stretch of Yonge Street, leaving a trail of carnage in its wake and an entire city in shock.

So far, 10 people have been declared dead while another 15 were taken to hospital.

“The thoughts of the U of T community are with those who have been affected,” President Gertler said. “Our city is resilient & our citizens are compassionate.”

He signed off his tweet with the hashtag #TorontoStrong.

Police yesterday arrested Alek Minassian, 25, after a brief but tense standoff that was captured on video and shared on social media. Minassian made a first appearance in court Tuesday morning, charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

Bloomberg News called the attack the worst mass killing since the 1989 massacre at Montreal’s École Polytechnique that left 14 women dead.

In an act of solidarity, U of T joined Toronto City Hall and other local institutions by lowering flags on its three Toronto-area campuses to half-mast on Wednesday.

— ��Ƶ Scarborough (@UTSC) April 24, 2018

U of T students on all three campuses who were either impacted by the event or are finding it difficult to cope with its aftermath are encouraged to get help. The university’s Health & Wellness Centre provides a list of resources for students. For faculty and staff, the HR & Equity department provides a list of resources.

Some U of T students took it upon themselves to reach out to a rattled local community.

Leila Atri, a history and diaspora and transnational studies student, and her fellow don at U of T's Victoria University, Alex Bowie, made posters for a makeshift memorial near Yonge Street and Finch Avenue.

Late Monday night, the pair brought the posters to Burwash Dining Hall, where students were studying for exams. About 70 people added messages of support, Atri said, the likes of “We are standing with you,” and “U of T is with you all the way and sending love.”

U of T students made a poster for a makeshift memorial at Yonge and Finch (photo courtesy of Leila Atri)

“I know the stress around finals season,” she told U of T News. “Sometimes you feel like you don't have time for anything else. I was really grateful that people all got up and wrote something.”

She was interviewed by City TV when she went to leave the signs at the memorial.

“People shouldn’t feel alone or isolated, even though the city can sometimes make us feel this way,” Atri said, adding she grew up in North York.

“We’re all in this together.”

— Tammie Sutherland (@citytammie) April 24, 2018

Brrr! U of T doctor shares advice on how to deal with extreme cold

geoff.vendeville — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 19:30:00 +0000

Brrr! U of T doctor shares advice on how to deal with extreme cold

geoff.vendeville Thu, 01/04/2018 - 14:30

Cutline

All bundled up, people walk across the downtown Toronto campus near Convocation Hall on Thursday (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

City & Culture

Health