The 7 Pillars of Wellness
Financial
Definition:
Understanding your financial situation and your relationship with money, so you can make sound decisions.
Initiatives for students and employees:
Students:
- Financial Aids and Awards
- Work-Study Program
- Co-op program
- The Free Store (managed by the uOttawa Office of Campus Sustainability)
Employees:
- Manulife’s Financial Wellness Assessment
- Personalized pension plan for your retirement
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
Intellectual
Definition:
Inspiring a sense of curiosity by opening your mind to new experiences, concepts and skills that are mentally stimulating and creative.
Initiatives for students and employees:
Students:
- The uOttawa library offers many little-known resources, such as research assistance and workshops that can help you improve your academic skills.
- SASS Academic Writing Help Centre (AWHC)
- SASS Mentoring Program
- Faculties all offer academic support, generally through academic advisers and sometimes also through student mentorship:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Law:
- Faculty of Education:
- Undergraduate studies: contact educprog@uOttawa.ca to get in touch with an academic advisor.
- Graduate studies: contact educplus@uOttawa.ca to get in touch with an academic advisor.
- Faculty of Engineering:
- Faculty of Health Sciences:
- Support staff (Academic Office)
- Student mentorship
- Faculty of Medicine: Medical Undergraduate Studies – Counselling and Academic Advising
- Faculty of Science:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Telfer School of Management
Employees:
Social
Definition:
Making meaningful connections with people by taking an active part in your community and maintaining positive relationships.
Initiatives for students and employees:
Students:
- uOttawa Community life
- Michaëlle Jean Centre for Global and Community Engagement
- Carrefour francophone
- uOttawa Library Media Centre (rent games, movies and more!)
- Indigenous students can find support and a community at the Indigenous Resource Centre
- There are also many clubs on campus [list and contacts to come]
Employees:
Environmental
Definition:
Making efforts to protect and sustain your surrounding environment to promote health and wellbeing.
Initiatives for students and employees:
Students:
Employees:
Emotional
Definition:
Being emotionally balanced, understanding yourself and seeking support, if necessary.
Initiative for students and employees:
Students:
- The Student Academic Success Service (SASS) Counselling and Coaching Service
- The newly formed University of Ottawa Student Union (choose "UOSU" in the drop list) and the Graduate Students Association des étudiants diplômés (GSAED - see "insurance coverage") health plans cover visits to psychologists and psychotherapists up to certain amounts.
- Undergraduate students who are registered under the University of Ottawa Student Union (UOSU) health plan also have access to the Empower Me program,which allows students to connect for free with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches for a variety of issues. The sessions can be delivered in person, by telephone, by video-counselling, or by e-counselling, and the service is available 365/7/24. Visit the Studentcare website to know more.
- The GSAED also offers a complimentary Student Support Program (see "Mental health") for covered students.
- Pet therapy
Employees:
- Employee and Family Assistance Program : Support & Articles
Physical
Definition:
Adopting healthy habits and minimizing risky behaviours that may affect your wellbeing.
Initiatives for students and employees:
Students:
- uOttawa Health Services (UOHS)
- Health Promotion (by UOHS)
- Free physical activity counselling (PAC)
- If you’re a regular registered student (with certain exceptions), you are already a member of the Sports services – this gives you access to many free drop-in activities and to registered activities for a smaller fee than non-members.
Employees:
Spiritual
Definition:
Fostering a sense of inner peace and harmony while participating in activities that support one’s beliefs and values.
Initiatives for students and employees:
- University of Ottawa Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Services - UCU 232B (Déjà-Vu) - phone ext. 4001
- Meditation and multi-faith spaces (opening hours: same as buildings opening hours):