Universities across Canada have extensive resources to help you with your mental and physical health, academic success, and personal skills development. We ranked the top 12 websites alphabetically:
Acadia U
McGill U
McMaster U
Memorial U
Ontario College of Art and Design U (OCAD)
Ontario Tech University
Ryerson U
University of Alberta
University of BC
University of Guelph
University of Manitoba
Some innovative services and ideas include:
- A First Year Transition Plan with monthly advice as to what students can expect in the way of stress or anxiety and what services at the university might help (Ontario Tech Student Life handout).
- Lists of helpful iPhone and Android Apps (McGill University, Memorial).
- Extensive online resources (e.g. U of Alberta, McMaster, Memorial, U of Guelph)
- A university safe house for temporary housing for students at risk (Ryerson)
- Affiliation with a university hospital/clinic for grad students to provide free services (e.g., U of Alberta, UBC, UNB)
- Some universities also produce Resource Guides for their students, For example, Western University has a Mental Health and Wellness Resource Guide for Undergraduate and Graduate Students. Students can download a copy.
- Ryerson has their So They’re Off to University guide for parents while Concordia University of Edmonton has their Thunder Storm 2017 Survival Guide. OCAD has a Student Distress Guide
- A much more detailed guide called Transitions for first year students was developed by Dr. Stan Kutcher, M.D., FRCPC, the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia www.teenmentalhealth.org . This 94 page online and downloadable guide looks at choosing classes, moving in/out, finances, relationships, sexuality, managing stress, mental health and disorders.
