The good news is the uOttawa Student Wellness team offers a lot of resources to help when the going gets tough or when you need a little support.
Kali Musa, a psychotherapist at the uOttawa Student Health and Wellness Centre, remembers “feeling stuck” as a student:
“I was a student at uOttawa for seven years. It can be difficult to navigate what support is available.”
“Don’t wait until things feel too overwhelming to seek help. Know what’s available to you. There are so many people who want to be on your team.”
Kali Musa
— Psychotherapist, Student Health and Wellness Centre
Reaching out early can make a meaningful difference. Wellness assistants can be reached by phone 613-562-5777 or email [email protected] and can help you connect with the right resource or service. There’s also a chatbot available 24/7 on the Student Wellness website. It's a convenient tool that can offer you immediate access to resources.
Here’s a quick list of seven things you can do:
1. Unwind in a wellness lounge
You’ll find free snacks, board games, video games (including VR!) and comfy seating. You’ll also have access to all types of information on wellness topics related to life at university. There are two wellness lounges on campus. The main lounge is at UCU 203, and the other is at 90U, reserved for students in residence.
“Change can be scary. When I moved into the dorms, I was pretty nervous about being away from home. When I made my group of friends, it was nice to have a place to go that had a comforting and homey feel, whether we were studying, having a game night or just looking for somewhere to hang out.”
- Carmen Murphy, BA psychology
2. Download the uoWellness app
Connect regularly with wellness activities and resources on campus. The uoWellness app was created to simplify the wellness journey for students through engaging, easy-access content. You can book appointments, access resources and self-help, share wellness tips with friends, book light-therapy and plant rooms, see future events and much more. As you explore and use the app, you earn points for badges — such as by creating an avatar, sharing a tip or event, or booking a service. Depending on your badge, you’ll be eligible for prizes.
3. Attend a wellness workshop
These fun, informative events mostly take place in the UCU Wellness Lounge or the UCU Agora. Anyone is welcome to join. They’re a great way to learn and relax while also meeting new people.
4. Book an appointment or drop in for a peer support session
Talk things through with trained peers. They can help you plan what you need to do to resolve what you’re going through.
5. Connect with the Assistive Technology Mentoring Centre
Take advantage of guidance on how to harness strategies and tech tools like Read&Write, Goodnotes, OneNote, Otter.ai and more to make your learning experience smoother. Book an appointment with a mentor at the Assistive Technology Mentoring Centre to learn more.
6. Register with the Academic Accommodations Service
If you have a diagnosed temporary or permanent disability, you can benefit from accommodations that will support your learning.
8. Access health care on campus
The Student Health and Wellness Centre or Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy Care Clinic, located on the second floor of the Minto Sports Complex (801 King Edward Avenue), are your go-to places for health care.
There are many services available to you. You could seek out short-term guidance through a consultation with a pharmacist, a Personalized Health Education Program session with a health promotion specialist, a medical or mental health appointment or ongoing support through therapeutic and support groups with health practitioners.
“We’re such a multidisciplinary team,” Musa says. “From student support staff to health-care professionals, the Student Health and Wellness Centre works as a network to respond to different needs.”