COVID-19: How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home

uOttawa Counselling Services
(modified services)

The Counselling Services continues to offer modified services (telephone and online) during their regular hours of operations to students who enrolled at the University and who are still living in Ontario.

Here are the different service options:

• For students who are already receiving services with the Counselling office, please contact your counsellor directly by phone or email.
• For new service requests, students can email us at couns@uOttawa.ca. Our staff will be happy to help you schedule a telephone or online session with a counsellor on the same day or within 24-48 hours.
• Students can continue to book future appointments online, for teletherapy appointments by audio or videoconference (instead of in person).
• The walk-in clinic is closed, but virtual same-day telephone or online appointments are still available.

If you are to have a remote counselling session (by telephone or online), we invite you to read this webpage.

Good2Talk
(telephone or text)

As a reminder, all students attending post-secondary institutions in Ontario have access to mental health support via Good2Talk 24/7/365, by calling 1-866-925-5454. As of February 2020, they have also introduced a text option:

• English: Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
• French: Text ALLOJECOUTEON to 686868

Access to counselling via student health plans
(various telephone and online options available)

Did you know that uOttawa students also have the choice, via their student association health plans, to access 24/7/365 support?

• Via UOSU, undergraduate students have free access to Empower Me, to speak to a counsellor immediately at 1-844-741-6389, or to make an appointment with a counsellor, delivered in person, by telephone, by video-counselling, or by e-counselling.
  • Similar to the way you book a dentist or physiotherapist, you can also choose to see a private psychotherapist or psychologist and get reimbursed up to 80% via your health plan, with remote options available – check out the details for undergraduates here.
• Via GSAED, graduate students have free access to the Student Support Program 24/7/365 to speak to a counsellor immediately 1-855-649-8641, or to make an appointment for telephone, e-counselling and other options such as web-based chat. Visit the SSP Website (just type in University of Ottawa or GSAÉD to identify your institution) to access the service via electronic chat or email.
  • Graduate students can also currently be reimbursed up to $35 per appointment to see a private psychologist or psychotherapist – check out the details for graduate students here.