There are so many factors that can affect your mental health, like school stress, food insecurity, financial strain, relationships, personal safety, and more. In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the many services and resources offered by your UASU and the University of Alberta to help support your health and wellness through the semester.
The Peer Support Centre (PSC)
The PSC is a UASU service that offers a free, confidential, and non-judgmental place to talk to someone for support. No issue is too big or too small. The PSC’s highly-trained student volunteers are available to provide supportive listening and crisis management in-person and online. You can drop-in Monday through Friday at your convenience (SUB 2-707), or book an appointment ahead of time. (uasu.ca/psc)
Safewalk
This UASU service is your safe alternative to walking home alone at night. Safewalk volunteers will walk and take public transit with you to make sure you get where you need to go safely. You can ask for a one-off walk, or book a recurring walk. Volunteers can even meet you in plainclothes (it’s called an incognito walk) so no one has to know you’re using this free service. (uasu.ca/safewalk)
Studentcare Health & Dental Plan
To help you pay for the health services you need, your UASU partnered with Studentcare to provide you with extended health and dental coverage. Be sure to check the Studentcare website to find out what your Health and Dental plan covers, and how you can put money from health expenses back in your pocket! Studentcare also offers Empower Me, a 24/7 confidential health and wellness service that supports diverse needs. (studentcare.ca)
Period Equity
The Period Equity program is your UASU’s initiative to tackle period poverty by providing free sustainable period products to menstruators all over our campus community. We have installed six dispensers near washrooms in SUB, Van Vliet, and Campus Saint-Jean. We’ve also partnered with the Registrar’s office to supply a semester’s worth of products to students who may require support. Check the website for locations. (uasu.ca/period)
Campus Food Bank
The Campus Food Bank offers free services to help students access affordable and nutritious foods, so you don’t have to choose between paying bills and eating every day. Their programs include free breakfasts on Wednesdays in SUB and Campus Saint-Jean, supplementary groceries, low-cost produce and meat baskets (WECAN), and a grocery bus to far away stores. (campusfoodbank.com)
The Landing
The Landing is a student space offering support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ students, as well as their supporters, friends, family, and loved ones. The Landing’s services include one-on-one peer support services, regularly scheduled drop-in community building hours, a lending library, and a food security snack program with the Campus Food Bank. The Landing also runs a Discord server where you can request peer support, participate in queer chat rooms, and more. (uasu.ca/thelanding)
Access Fund
Sometimes emergency financial assistance can seriously help our well-being. The non-repayable Access Fund–a true students-helping-students initiative–has enabled undergrads in difficult financial situations, such as those who are ineligible for student loans, have maxed their student loan amounts, or simply don’t have access to sufficient funding, to continue with their studies. (uasu.ca/accessfund)
Crisis Hub
When you’re really not sure what kind of help you need, the UAlberta Crisis Hub is a great place to start. This site pulls together some of the campus resources that are available to support you, whether you’re struggling with your mental health, academic concerns, or feeling unsafe on campus or online. (uab.ca/crisis)
If you have this year’s UASU Handbook, you can also find even more info about your campus wellness resources on pages 28 to 34! (PS–you can still get a free handbook at InfoLink SLC!) Take care out there, and remember that these services are here for you–yes, even you–so don’t be afraid to ask any of them for help.