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Accessing Mental Health Resources at UW

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A

Guide

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Seeking Help?

Stress
Anxiety
Prolonged Sadness
Feelings of disconnection
Unexplained physical pain
Trauma and grief
Struggles with food or substances
Becoming withdrawn and isolated
Lack of control over emotions

Image from:

https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/opinion/how-can-we-break-taboo-mental-health-workplace

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Health Services�Psychiatrists, General Physicians
Counselling Services�Individual counselling, group therapy, seminars and workshops
Student Run Services�MATES, GLOW, Women’s Centre, RAISE, peer mentoring
Urgent Care Emergency contacts

Main Resources

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Health Services

General Physicians:

At Health Services, several doctors are available to address mental health concerns.

The appointment will be relatively quick, and your doctor will ask about your symptoms and concerns.

At the end, your doctor will discuss next steps, and further direct you.

Psychiatrists:

Psychiatrists are doctors that specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders.

To see a psychiatrist, your general practitioner will have to refer you.

This appointment is much more thorough, and will possibly result in a diagnosis.

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Making an Appointment with Health Services

To make an appointment for mental health at Health Services, simply call the front desk, and request an appointment for mental health reasons.

Health Services Front Desk Contact:

(519) 888-4096

Note: Health Services is located opposite STC, across the bridge

Image from:

https://kmai.com/projects/university-of-waterloo-health-services-building/

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Counselling Services-

What is a counsellor?

A counsellor, or therapist is a trained professional who is licensed by the government of Canada to assist individuals with personal, social, and psychological problems.

Note that counsellors cannot provide a medical diagnosis, and do not prescribe medication.

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Making a Counselling Appt.

You will need to make an appointment at the front desk of Needles Hall Office
There, an intake counsellor will meet will you, and will help you book an appointment with your counsellor
Most likely, your appt with your counsellor will be on the 2nd floor of the Health Services building
It is important to be vocal, and be open about all of your symptoms and concerns at your appointment
After the first initial appt, you can choose to book follow up appointments

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https://www.theravive.com/today/post/nj-voters-say-yes-to-more-mental-health-support-in-schools-0003493.aspx

To make an appointment, you will have to make an appointment at the front desk of needles halls office. Here you may be required to fill out a questionnaire. Next, you will meet with an intake counsellor in Needles Hall. These intake counsellors will ask you to describe your main symptoms, and then will book you with a counsellor (most likely located on the 2nd floor of health services). For your first appointment, it is vital to be open, and speak freely about your concerns. Feel free to ask for resources, concrete steps, and explicitly identify your ultimate goals. If you feel that your counsellor isn’t right for your needs, it is always valid to request a different counsellor for your next appointment. After the first initial appointment, you can choose to follow up with your counsellor, which will happen every 2-4 weeks

Note, it is Important not to miss appointments- however u can always call in and reschedule or cancel

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Making a Counselling Appt.:

Online Support Due to COVID-19

Due to safety concerns, Health Services has implemented a new way to book appointments and get support
To book an appointment:

With Counselling Services: 519-888-4567 ext. 32655

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Student Run Services

MATES
GLOW
Women’s Centre
RAISE

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Brief Overview

MATES

One on one student support program
Offered by WUSA and Campus Wellness
Student volunteers go through extensive training
Book Appointment through Website: https://wusa.ca/services/uw-mates

GLOW

Oldest LGBTQ+ student organization in Canada
Offers many resources, social events, discussion groups and more
Offer confidential peer support hours
Their office is located in SLC
Website: https://wusa.ca/services/glow-centre-sexual-and-gender-diversity

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Brief Overview

Women’s Centre

Aims to provide a supportive environment on campus for women and transfolk
Run by student volunteers
Offer confidential peer support hours
Located in SLC
Website: https://wusa.ca/services/womens-centre

RAISE

"Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity and Equity"
Offer confidential peer support hours
Located in SLC
Website: https://wusa.ca/services/racial-advocacy-inclusion-solidarity-and-equity-raise

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Urgent Support- On Campus Contacts

Are you in crisis, feeling unsafe, or worried you might hurt yourself or others?

UW Police- 519-888-4567 ext. 22222 For on-campus emergency services 24/7

Counselling Services-519-888-4567 ext. 32655 Provide same day appts; Needles Hall 2nd floor

Health Services- Student Medical Clinic-519-888-4096 Offer walk in appointments for urgent issues; Health Services Building

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Urgent Support- After Hours Contacts

Grand River Hospital - 519-749-4300 Kitchener-Waterloo Campus: 835 King Street West, Kitchener

St. Mary's Hospital - 519-744-3311 911 Queen’s Boulevard, Kitchener

Stratford General Hospital - 519-272-8210 *Toll free- 1-888-275-1102 4

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Here 24/7 - 1-844-437-3247 *If you are experiencing trouble connecting, call 519-821-3582 Provides 24/7 support for mental health, addiction, and crises

Crisis Services Canada - 1-833-456-4566 or by text 45645 Provides suicide prevention and support to those affected

Empower Me, Mental Health Resources - 1-844-741-6389 Allows students to connect with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches for a variety of issues.

Kitchener-Waterloo Sexual Assault Support Centre - 519-741-8633 24/7 support line: listen, facilitate healing, and celebrate resiliency

Huron Perth Helpline (Stratford) - 1-888-829-7484 24/7 crisis phone service; assessment and treatment

In addition to hospitals, there are many hotlines that exist to support you. All of these hotlines are available 24/7. Here’s a quick overview of all the hotlines. Here 24/7 provides support for mental health, substance abuse and other crises. Here 24/7 will do the work of intake and booking further appointments for you if needed. Crisis Services Canada is a hotline aimed at suicide prevention and giving support to those affected by suicide. Empower Me, Mental health resources provides in person, phone, and video counselling sessions with trained professionals for a variety of issues. Empower me, Mental Health Resources is a great resource if there isn't an immediate crisis, as they provide help for all sorts of situations. KW Sexual Assault Support centre is not only a hotline, but also serves to facilitate healing. Lastly the Huron Perth Helpline provides crisis phone service and is focused on assessment and treatment.

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You are not alone.

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Around 50% of people will have or have had a mental illness by age 40.

1 in 5 people will personally experience a mental health problem in any given year

Estimates say 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide

Source: https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness

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Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities.

Source: https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness

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Additional Resources:

https://www.engsoc.uwaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/UW-Mental-Health-Guide-April19.pdf