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.
- 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):