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Healthy Campus: Mental Health

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Help create a healthy campus, by safeguarding your mental well-being and our community members.

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Just like physical health, mental health is an essential part of our overall wellness and directly impacts one’s ability to thrive academically, professionally and personally.

Recognizing this importance, the University is committed to providing resources that take a comprehensive approach to improve the mental health of our staff, students, and faculty members.

In January 2023 the University of Guelph established the President’s Task Force on Student Mental Health. Through community engagement the group co-produced recommendations on how to enhance mental health services to support the entire campus community holistically at all levels, by understanding the complex relationship of complex interactions between people and their environments, from the individual level to the community level and institutional level. You can read the original report and its recommendations on the President's Task Force on Student Mental Health website.

The 2025 Annual President’s Task Force on Student Mental Health Report shares how the University of Guelph is turning recommendations for student mental health and well-being into action. It highlights progress made on the Task Force’s 40 recommendations, showcasing initiatives that support student mental health and well-being across campus. The report also looks ahead, outlining next steps and priorities to continue building a campus where students feel supported, connected, and able to thrive.

Here, you’ll find a wide range of interventions and resources aimed at taking a holistic approach to support your mental health and our community.

If you are you in crisis, feel unsafe, or are worried you might hurt yourself or others urgent help is available.

Addressing Mental Health Starts by...

Getting Help
Safeguarding Your Well-being
Expanding Your Understanding
Supporting Each Other

How to Get Help

The first step to improving the mental health of our community is helping those at an individual level by providing access to the resources and supports they need. Whether you are looking for ways to improve your mental health or are currently struggling with mental illness, the U of G is here to help.

Not sure how to get started or which resources are right for you?

Connect with one of our Student Wellness Navigators who can guide you through the many services available and help coordinate a personalized support plan. Appointments with a navigator are available Monday through Friday. Call 519-824-4120 x52131 to book.

Student Mental Health Supports

wellness peer shirt

Professional Counselling

Student Wellness offers several free-to-access options for students, including both individual and group counselling by phone, in-person or video.

Counselling Services

wellness peer support team

Peer Support

Speak with trained students who provide confidential mental health support and referrals.

Student Support Network

athletics exterior

Physical Well-being

The Department of Athletics offers intramural and clubs to help students move their bodies, make new connections and support their mental well-being through movement.

Fitness and Recreation

Additional Student Resources:

  • U of G students have access to free mental health supports and coverage for mental health practitioners through their Student Health & Dental Plan provided by the CSA.
  • Students with families can learn more about available supports on the Students with Family Responsibilities webpage

Staff and Faculty Mental Health Supports

3 University of Guelph students at a cafe playing with play-doh

Wellness@Work

The wellness hub for staff and faculty at U of G and aims to create a healthy workplace across all campuses.

Wellness@Work

Hands adding card to the Cork Board

Not Myself Today

Find resources, guidance and support for workplace psychological health and safety through the Not Myself Today online platform.

Not Myself Today

Four Students sitting at a table and chatting

Employee and Family Assistance Plan

The Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) is available for staff, faculty and their families when they need professional counselling support.

Employee and Family Assistance Plan

Additional Faculty and Staff Resources:

  • U of G’s extended health plan also includes Benefit coverage for psychological services.
  • Within Human Resources, Occupational Health and Wellness (OHW) is the main source of support for staff and faculty with disabilities or who require accommodations.
  • The Maplewoods Centre is a clinic and training centre based at the University of Guelph offers high-quality, affordable therapy to individuals and families in the Guelph-Wellington area.

How to Safeguard Your Well-being

Even when you are in a good place, life can be challenging. But by focusing on what you can control, can help you manage difficult situations and experiences. Staying active, eating well and finding opportunities for self-care are all great ways to develop effective coping skills and restore a sense of individual autonomy.

Not only does exercise benefit your physical health, but it can also greatly improve your mood by reducing stress and anxiety. Consider utilizing the University of Guelph’s athletic facilities and fitness programs , or engage with nature by taking a walk through the Arboretum.

The Gryphons Empowered by Movement (GEM) program is also available and is designed to help students with mild to moderate anxiety and depression through the power of physical activity.

Just like your body, your brain requires proper nutrients to operate at its best. To help ensure your diet is meeting your nutrient and energy needs Dietitian & Nutrition Services provides resources and supports for all University of Guelph students via Student Wellness Services.

Because mental health and physical health are interconnected it is important to develop healthy habits that prioritize your overall well-being. Be sure to visit our Wellness Education & Promotion Centre, a student-driven safe space to find information and support about health and well-being.

Student Wellness also has a variety of resources on how to incorporate healthy habits into your everyday routine.

Getting quality sleep is essential for both your physical and mental health. Offered by the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic for students the Better Sleep Program can teach you how to decrease insomnia and promote more restful sleep.

Expand Your Understanding of Mental Health

By deepening our understanding of mental health, we both enhance our ability to address our own well-being while developing a greater empathy and ability to support others. Expand your mental health literacy by exploring the many training and learning resources available at the University of Guelph.

  • Mental Health Training Programs available for University of Guelph students, staff, and faculty.
  • Mental Health Workshops on a wide variety of issues relating to university life from substance use, peer support skills to self-care.
  • Follow Student Wellness on social media for regular info on upcoming events and training and tips for improving your mental well-being.
  • Student Wellness On-Demand Workshops allow you to learn at your own pace with info kits, webinars and helpful videos.
  • eLearning courses from the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health are designed for post-secondary students, covering topics such as improving sleep and transitioning to the workforce.

Transitioning to University:

  • Homesickness

Mental Health Tools:

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Healthy Platonic Relationships

  • Rest and Sleep

  • The Winter Blues

  • Stress and Anxiety

  • Anxiety and Panic Attacks

  • Test and Exam Anxiety

  • Loneliness and Connection

  • Boundaries

Off Campus Living Tool:

  • Roommate Agreement Template

  • How to Get Along with Roommates

Source: Centre For Innovation in Campus Mental Health

Let’s Support Each Other

Health isn’t just about individual choices, it is also shaped by the places where we live, work, and play, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

By working together and supporting each other we can all help foster a healthy and welcoming campus for everyone.

Have you noticed a student or colleague showing signs of distress?

Visit the Responding to Students in Distress: For Staff & Faculty or the Steps to Supporting a Colleague in Distress guides.

A campus environment that promotes mental wellbeing starts by being kind and respectful to others. By being mindful of your behaviour and choosing to use inclusive language we can help reduce the stigma of mental illness.

Discover DHR’s diverse range of educational programs, interactive online modules, and personalized consultations on diversity issues.

Connect to a community and find other students with similar backgrounds and access identity-specific supports and advising through Student Experience.

  • Consider engaging with your local community by joining a club or volunteering to help support the mental health of others while improving your own. Explore the many ways you can get involved with Student Wellness or the University of Guelph.
  • Help increase mental health awareness by supporting and attending wellness events on campus.

Lasting Change

Although the University of Guelph has implemented resources to support student, faculty, and staff mental health, in order for these interventions to have a lasting impact requires changes at the institutional level.

The President’s Task Force on Student Mental Health is the first step in achieving this goal, and we are committed to adopting a Health in All Policies approach to integrate the health and well-being of the entire U of G population into policy review and development.

In Winter 2024, Wellness@Work administered a survey to assess workplace psychological health and safety. The findings were shared with the community, and 22 senior leaders received their aggregate departmental and college area-specific findings to support local action planning. Since consultations began in July 2024, about half of the action plans are in draft form, aiming for all to be finalized by the end of 2024.

Continue to follow our progress and implementation of the report’s 40 recommendations.

Additional Resources:

  • Healthy Campus: Food Security
  • Healthy Campus: Respiratory Health
  • Ontario Mental Health Support
  • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
  • Guelph General Hospital