The start of a new in-person midterm season presents challenges for many students. As students, school is often prioritized over mental health, which can lead to persistent burnout. The commonality of burnout means that many students think it’s the norm. However, there are alternatives to combat burnout and help improve your mental health!
Choosing to improve your mental health can be a difficult and stigmatized process. It is often thought that therapy and helplines are used as treatments exclusively for people with diagnosed mental illnesses. However, therapy and helplines have many benefits for everyone, whether you have a mental illness or just want to talk to someone about your day-to-day problems. As a university student, we constantly encounter difficulties and problems that we face on a daily basis – unloading and creating better thought patterns can benefit your daily life.
The barriers to reaching out to someone for help can be incredibly daunting, so I’ve created a list of accessible mental health resources to help anyone looking for help this season.
Counseling Resources
1. The McMaster Student Wellness Center is an accessible resource for McMaster students to connect with a counselor and talk about problematic situations and feelings in a confidential setting. This resource is usually covered by insurance.
CONTACT: 905-525-9140 ext. 27700 to make an initial appointment with an advisor.
2. The Student Aid Scheme (SAP) is a free program offered by the McMaster Student Union (MSU). SAP offers 24/7 support through psychological counseling in person, over the phone or via secure video. It is confidential and accessible to McMaster students, roommates and immediate family members. Additionally, SAP provides academic and life services such as legal consultation, financial consultation, nutritional consultation, and life coaching.
CONTACT: Call or text 1-888-377-0001 to connect directly with an SAP vendor, or go to their website: https://wespeakstudent.com/home/8-mcmaster-university and click ” Student Wellness Programs” to learn more. After.
3. The empower me The program offers 24/7 counseling services to McMaster graduate students. This program has trained counselors to support students struggling with mental health issues of any degree. Empower Me emphasizes that you don’t have to be in crisis to take advantage of their services, as they provide support for mental health, personal performance, relationships, career, and general well-being.
CONTACT: Call 1-833-628-5589 from anywhere in North America to be connected to the Empower Me Clinical Response Center, or connect to their website: https://ear.powerflexweb.com/1545/ login_SC.html and use “Studentcare” as the password.
4. Youth Wellness Center is a mobile team of mental health professionals who provide services to McMaster students with concerns related to substance use, mental health, and sexual and gender identity. This team operates out of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
CONTACT: Sashani Brown-Gowdie at her email [email protected], or call 905-522-1155 ext. 36318 to connect with team members for personal care. The team member will meet privately with an MUSC B101/B118 student to determine a plan to achieve the student’s goals.
5. Shift Collaboration is a Canadian online therapy practice that offers mental health counseling and care from professionals across Canada. Their website offers an easy way for those afraid of phone calls to connect with a professional. The staff will also help you find a therapist who meets your needs and concerns at a discounted price ($125 per session) for students.
CONTACT: Visit their website to be easily matched with a therapist and find more information, or use the link https://www.shiftcollab.com/contact#Lets-talk to contact their care team to discuss options in more detail .
Other Resources
1. Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline that provides professional advice and information, as well as mental health, addictions and wellness referrals to post-secondary students in Ontario. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.
CONTACT: 1-866-925-5454 or dial 211 and ask to be connected to Good2Talk.
2. LGBT youth line is a non-judgmental, confidential and informed LGBTQQ2SI helpline via phone, text and chat. Their services operate Sunday through Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
CONTACT: For telephone services, call 1-800-268-9688. For SMS services, text 647-694-4275.
3. Oakville Distress Center is a telephone and online mental health support service to help all people in Oakville and Hamilton deal with all issues including crisis, loneliness and emotional stress.
CONTACT: 905-849-4541
4. TAO is a website providing mental health supports through videos, providing scientifically researched content to help develop life skills, engage in professional development and explore stress, anxiety and depression .
CONTACT: Visit the Tao website for more information.
For more information:
Visit https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/resources/, which provides many other mental health specific resources and solutions.
Taking care of your mental health can help you avoid mid-term burnout and improve your overall well-being. If you’re looking for accessible and affordable mental health supports, try one of the resources listed!
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