This week, October 6 to 12, is Mental Illness Awareness Week, with World Mental Health Day taking place on Oct. 10. 

Although mental health and mental illness are related, they have distinct definitions. Mental health is a continuum¹ and fluctuates depending on the individual and various factors in their life. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, mental health is the state of our psychological and emotional well-being. It encompasses our emotions, feelings of connection, thoughts, and the ability to manage life’s highs and lows. Alternatively mental illness is a medical diagnosis and described as disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that are severe enough to affect day-to-day functioning.²

For Mental Illness Awareness Week, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is focusing on the theme Access For All: Time for Action, Time for Change. According to CAMIMH, wait times for mental health services can be up to 2.5 years in some areas, and the disease burden of mental illness and substance use in Ontario is 1.5 times higher than all cancers put together.³

At U of G, supporting the mental health of our faculty, staff and students is a top priority. Learn more about available supports and initiatives on the Healthy Campus website. 

Looking to learn more about taking care of your own mental health or supporting the mental health of others? Take a look at these upcoming workshops and events at U of G: 

For students 

Events and workshops

• Putting the “Transfer” in “Transferable Skills”: Academic Strategies for Transfer Students
  

  Transitions can be a demanding time on your mental health. Join Student Experience and Writing and Learning Services in the library for this session tailored to transfer students. Whether you have transferred from a college and are adjusting to university-style assignments, or are looking for a strong academic start at a new university, this program is for you. 

  • Wednesday, Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (McLaughlin Library,120A) 

• Build Your Own Sleep Kit
  

  Come and join our HEAL Peer Helpers to get free eye masks, tea, snacks, ear plugs, and more to help you have a better and more regenerating sleep. 

  • Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2 to 3 p.m. (University Centre Courtyard) 

• SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Training
  

  Designed by Living Works, SafeTALK is a 3.5 hours alertness training and certification that prepares anyone, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. The SafeTALK trainer will demonstrate the importance of suicide alertness, assist participants to identify ways people invite help, and connect them with resources to help them when they are at risk.   

  • Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (On campus, TBD) 

• Beyond the Books – Mental Health and Literacy Training
  

  Beyond the Books is a mental health literacy training that will first provide participants with general information on the prevalence of mental challenges and illness in our university community. It will then help participants to identify signs of troubling behaviour or distress, and give them skills to engage in a preliminary discussion to determine if referral to a professional is necessary. 

  • Monday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Virtual) 

Mental health supports

Student Support Network (SSN)  

• Peer-to-peer drop-in counselling is provided by U of G student volunteers who receive extensive training in order to support those who are struggling with confidential, non-judgmental listening, information and referrals.  
• There are also sessions for Black, Racialized and Students of Colour to connect with peers with shared experiences. 
• See SSN drop-in hours for virtual and in-person sessions. 

Free individual counselling  

• Explore, understand, and work through personal issues one-on-one with a counsellor.  
• If you have not attended counselling before, first book an appointment with a Student Wellness Navigator by calling 519-824-4120 x53244 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Counselling drop-in  

• Drop-in counselling is available in-person, virtually, or over the phone.  
• Call 519-8244-4120 x53244 or visit the J.T. Powell Building Monday to Friday 1 to 3:30 p.m.  

Counselling drop-in for Black, Racialized and Students of Colour  

• Drop-in counselling for Black, Racialized and Students of Colour is available in-person, virtually, or over the phone. 
• Book a time slot online at uoguel.ph/brsc 

International & English Language Program student mental health support  

• Free and confidential counselling support in your language. Available to all U of G International and ELP (English Language Program) students chat, phone, and ongoing virtual appointments are available through GuardMe Student Support Program: uoguel.ph/guardme 

Find more student wellness resources. 

For faculty and staff

Events and workshops

View the Wellness@Work Healthy Workplace Month Calendar for a full schedule of events to support your workplace mental health. 

Mental health supports for faculty and staff

Not Myself Today  

• Find resources, guidance and support for workplace psychological health and safety through the Not Myself Today online platform.  

Employee and Family Assistance Plan  

• The Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) is available for staff, faculty and their families when they need professional counselling support.  
• Call 1-800-662-1142 to access counselling support 24 hours per day, seven days a week through the EFAP provider Homewood Employee Health.  

Benefit coverage for psychological services  

• U of G’s extended health plan includes coverage for psychological services. 

Occupational Health and Wellness  

• Within Human Resources, Occupational Health and Wellness (OHW) is the main source of support for staff and faculty with disabilities. OHW supports workplace accommodations and return to work planning as well as short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) leaves. 

Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology 

• Conveniently located on U of G campus, Maplewoods offers clinical mental health services for yourself or your family. The Centre offers services for individuals, couples, children, teens and families. Services are offered on a sliding fee scale and are eligible for coverage under benefit plans that cover services from a Registered Psychotherapist or Psychologist. 
• Book an intake appointment.

 

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1. Corey L. M. Keyes. (2002). The Mental Health Continuum: From Languishing to Flourishing in Life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.2307/3090197 
2. Mood Disorders Society fo Canada – MDSC Quick Facts
3. Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health – Mental Illness Awareness Week