The Canadian Mental Health Association and other mental health organizations across the country recognize the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
This national movement helps educate Canadians on mental illnesses and advocates for access to mental health resources without barriers.
The University of Guelph offers a number of resources with a focus on mental illness.
Students:
- Call Student Health Services at 519-824-4120, Ext. 52131 and ask to speak to Counselling Services. Drop-in appointments are available from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
- Check out Counselling Resources by topic on the Student Wellness website. Areas of assistance include crisis support, anxiety, depression, addiction, self-injury, self-harm, eating disorders and others.
Faculty and Staff:
- Access the Employee and Family Assistance Program by calling 1-800-663-1142.
- Need to support a student? Check out Counselling Services’ resources to support students.
Everyone:
- Listen to The Shine Cast, a podcast from Student Wellness. Past episodes have addressed personal experiences with anxiety; multiple diagnoses of anxiety, depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; and self-advocacy in managing mental illness.
- Sign up for mental health training opportunities, including:
- More Feet on the Ground – an educational website on how to recognize, respond to and refer students experiencing mental health issues.
- Beyond the Books – helps participants to identify signs of troubling behaviour and gives them skills to engage in a preliminary discussion to determine if referral to a professional is necessary.
- LivingWorks Start – alertness training that prepares anyone, regardless of prior experience or training, to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support.
Throughout the week, read U of G News stories about University community members who are making a difference in the mental health field.