The Wellness Lounge has three study rooms you can book! Read up on them and book them below.
Please note: You will need your uOttawa Card to access your study room. These study rooms are reserved for current uOttawa students.
Wellness Lounge
Pass by the Wellness Lounge to get support from peers, take a break, hang out with friends, and play games.
What is the Wellness Lounge?
The Wellness Lounge is a place where you can relax, have fun, meet other students, and play games. You can also study at the Wellness Lounge!
It's also a judgment free space open to all students looking to chat with a peer helper. Every weekday, peer wellness helpers are in the Wellness Lounge, ready to listen, hear your concerns, and chat with you. They are familiar with on- and off-campus resources related to health and wellness and will be able to direct you if you need help.
On a recurring basis, wellness-focused activities take place in the Wellness Lounge to help you find balance. These activities are all free; you can come every week or drop-in occasionally, as you want. It is a safe space that is there for you to use and make your own.
Check out all the activities and events below!
Wellness Study Rooms
Light therapy room
Want to study in a cozy environment and fight the winter blues all at once? The Light therapy room is the ideal space for you to get some work done while boosting your mood!
Balance room
Enhance your school-life balance in the newest addition to the Wellness Lounge! The Balance room gives you the opportunity to study while taking well-deserved breaks to socialize at our tall tables and play fun lawn games!
Plant room
Did you know that exposure to greenery can improve wellness, focus, and productivity? Study in the Plant room to optimize both your health and your academic success. Talk about the best of both worlds!
Activities and Events
Wellness workshop series
The Peer Wellness Program offers a variety of drop-in, wellness-themed workshops on topics related to substance use health and addictions, sexual and reproductive health, nutritional and physical health, mental and emotional health, and population health.
These workshops are interactive, wellness-focused and designed by uOttawa students, for uOttawa students!
Virtual reality (VR) and wellness gaming
Did you know that virtual reality has been shown to improve mental wellness and decrease stress, depression, and anxiety?
Drop by the Wellness Lounge during our operating hours to try it out! Come solo or bring a friend (or two!).
Therapy dog sessions
Did you know? Studies have shown that a friendly interaction with an animal (e.g., petting) helps:
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lower blood pressure
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reduce overall pain
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ease feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression and homesickness
Come spend some time with the therapy dogs at the Wellness Lounge! Drop-in spots are limited. Secure your spot by making your reservation!
Peer wellness support (in-person/chat)
Online peer wellness chat
The chat function on this website (bottom right corner of the screen) allows you to chat with a peer who can help and provide support based on your needs.
Your peers are available to chat five days a week. They can answer questions and are ready to listen if you want to talk with someone. It’s a great way to get quick support and resources, but it does not replace a mental health session.
Please note: the Peer Wellness Chat is not a crisis chat. For crisis support, please click on the “immediate support” button (bottom left corner of the screen).
How can a peer wellness helper support you?
A peer wellness helper is a fellow student who is trained to listen with empathy and without judgment.
Our peer wellness helpers will be very happy to:
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listen to you if you want to talk with someone
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answer your questions
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guide you to the services and resources you would like to receive
Please note: A peer wellness helper cannot provide advice (medical or otherwise), professional counselling, therapy, or health care.
Hours of operation
UCU Wellness Lounge
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Location: UCU 203
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Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm (until September 5)
Regular hours are starting on September 6: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm
The Wellness Lounge will be closed:
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September 4th (Labour Day)
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October 9th (Thanksgiving)
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December 23rd to January 2nd, 2024 - inclusive (Holiday Break)
90U Wellness Lounge
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Location: 90U 151
The 90U Wellness Lounge will be closed during the spring-summer term.
Starting from September 6 the 90U Wellness Lounge will be open Monday to Friday from 5pm to 10 pm, and during the weekend from 12 pm to 4pm.
Online chat hours
Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm (until September 5)
Regular hours are starting on September 6: Monday to Friday from 2 pm to 10 pm
The Peer Chat will not be available:
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September 4th (Labour Day)
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October 9th (Thanksgiving)
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December 23rd to January 2nd, 2024 - inclusive (Holiday Break)
