Mental Health Services at the Student Wellness Centre:
A Cheat Sheet
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, not least for our community's mental health. Fortunately, OCAD U’s Student Wellness Centre (SWC) offers a range of free and confidential services to support you through the pandemic and to help you maintain your mental well-being.
Student Wellness Centre staff are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide comprehensive medical and supportive care for your mental health. While most services are delivered virtually at this time, some in-person appointments are available.
Students may connect with accessibility advisors, counsellors, peers, community workers and doctors primarily over email, phone and video. Get to know the team at the Centre by reading about their roles and experience.
Check out the Student Wellness Centre’s services listed below. More detailed information about the SWC can be found on their website.
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Virtual Counselling Appointments at the Student Wellness Centre
Counselling at the Student Wellness Centre is free. Our Counsellors and Community Workers provide virtual one-on-one sessions that can be carried out on Teams or by phone. Appointments can be booked two weeks in advance.
Book a virtual appointment for a:
First time counselling session (50 minutes)
Counselling session (30 minutes)
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Accessing the SWC Family Doctor
The family doctor at the Centre is available to diagnose and treat many mental health concerns. Additionally, the family doctor can refer students to the Centre's psychiatrist when deemed necessary.
Book an appointment with the family doctor at the Student Wellness Centre:
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The Centre’s family doctor is available for virtual and phone appointments.
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There are a limited number of same day urgent appointments available each day. Please email first thing in the morning for these appointments as they are booked on a first come first served basis.
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More information about in-person appointments with the family doctor can be found on the Centre’s website.
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During this unprecedented time, the family doctor only has the authority to provide medical services to students currently living in Ontario. We encourage you to seek healthcare where you are located.
Contact:
Email: swc@ocadu.ca
Call: 416-977-6000, ext. 260
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Accessing the Psychiatrist
The key role of the psychiatrist at the Student Wellness Centre is to provide a one-time diagnostic and/or medication consultation. Psychiatry appointments are covered by OHIP/UHIP and referrals are made at the discretion of the SWC family doctor.
Start by booking an appointment with the family doctor at the Student Wellness Centre by emailing swc@ocadu.ca or calling 416-977-6000, ext. 260.
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Virtual Counselling Appointments available through keep.meSAFE
As an OCAD U student you have free access to unlimited virtual services from keep.meSAFE, a platform that specializes in the mental well-being of university students like you. They offer a range of mental health services at all times of the day. You must login online or download the keep.meSAFE app (via the Apple App Store or Google Play) to access the platform’s non-urgent care services.
keep.meSAFE Services:
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Urgent, real-time support any time over the phone at 1-800-451-9700.
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Virtual walk-in counselling sessions through chat or phone, available in many languages, 24 hours a day.
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Appointment-based support via phone, video and in-person.
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Crisis Support at the Student Wellness Centre
The Student Wellness Centre offers crisis intervention support. If you or a friend are experiencing an emotional crisis such as feeling overwhelmed, frightened, confused, depressed, hopeless or suicidal, we are here to help. Our biggest priority is to ensure that you are safe.
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If you have already seen a counsellor at the Centre you can email or call the SWC to request an urgent appointment with that counsellor.
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If you have never been to the Student Wellness Centre you can email or call the SWC to request an urgent appointment.
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The SWC is committed to being as responsive as possible and does their best to respond to all requests.
Contact:
Email: swc@ocadu.ca
Call: 416-977-6000, ext. 260, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
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Crisis Support Outside of the Centre’s Hours
If you are in need of urgent, real-time support outside of the Centre’s operating hours you can contact Good2Talk. They are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and specifically help post-secondary students in crisis.
Contact:
Phone: 1-866-925-5454
Text: 686868
Web: https://good2talk.ca/ontario
There are many more resources available for students seeking urgent support. Find out more on the Student Wellness Centre’s blog.
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Connect with an Accessibility Advisor
Do you have a question or concern about accessibility or accommodations? You can chat live with an Accessibility Advisor from the Student Wellness Centre or book an appointment for a longer conversation.
Drop-in Teams Chat:
1 to 2 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Book an appointment:
Email: studentaccessibility@ocadu.ca
Call: 416-977-6000, ext. 339 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday