Keerthi Chintapalli
Hey everyone, let’s talk about mental health. We’re a few weeks into our winter semester and if you’re anything like me, the winter months can be a really difficult time of the year. On top of school, work, a certain global health crisis, etc., it can be difficult to find time to focus on yourself and to check in on how you’re doing mentally. So, to raise awareness I wanted to share some ways you can get involved in and access mental health resources for yourself.
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Yesterday was Bell Let’s Talk Day! This is an annual awareness campaign created by the Canadian telecommunication company Bell Canada in 2011, this campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health struggles and reduce the stigma attached with them.
The program started as a $50 million donation to mental health programs around Canada and eventually expanded to an annual awareness campaign with 5 cents being donated for every interaction referencing the event. In 2021, a total of $113,415,135 CAD was donated to hospitals across Canada and eventually led to those hospitals offering new therapies for depression, PTSD, and other disorders.
Here’s how you can get involved through different social media sites:
Media PlatformHow to InteractTwitter and TikTokUse hashtag #BellLetsTalk and/or watch official videoSnapchat, FacebookUse the Bell Let’s Talk lens and/or watch their official videoYouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, PinterestWatch the official video Text MessagesSimply texting as a Bell customer will count as 5 cents towards the campaignCallEvery call made by Bell wireless and home phone owners will count as 5 cents towards the campaign
You can also donate to certain mental health services and programs directly. Here’s a list of places where you can donate and learn more about what each program does:
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Next, to conclude this piece, here are mental health resources that can be accessed by Algoma University students and general post-secondary students at any post-secondary institution.
While this is not a comprehensive guide, I wanted to provide you with some of the resources that are readily available and are quick and easy to access.
Homewood Health: https://homeweb.ca/
As an Algoma U student, you have access to 24/7 support from Homewood Health. They offer a wide array of virtual counselling, coaching, and other web-based resources. If you’re looking to speak to a counsellor right away, just have your Algoma U ID ready and call one of the numbers below depending on your region:
1-800-663-1142 (English) 1-888-384-1152 (TTY/hearing impaired)
1-866-398-9505 (French) 1-877-301-4776 (Outside of Canada)
I.M Well App
It stands for Integrated Mental Health & Wellness. I.M Well on your campus consists of the intuitive I.M. Well Mobile App, as well as your Student Assistance Program. I.M. Well is available to ALL Algoma students and their families, even after graduation.
To access the specific Algoma portal, send a counselling request, or download the app: https://www.studentvip.ca/frmPage.aspx?school_page_id=7d426940-3992-4fdf-a05a-bfcf675f26cb
TogetherAll: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/student
This resource offers peer and group support. It is a safe place to connect with others experiencing similar feelings or issues, with professional counsellors on standby.
Good 2 Talk: https://good2talk.ca/
They offer both a talk line and a text service to make it as comfortable as possible. They offer counselling for a variety of topics:
Mental health and addictions
Relationships
Sexuality
Disability supports
Academic and health services
You can call 1-866-925-5454
You can also text GOOD2TALKON to 686868.
Access to internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) is free of charge during COVID-19, funded by the Government of Ontario.
Sault Ste.Marie Resources
Crisis Services If you are experiencing dark thoughts and feel that you are unsafe, please call Crisis Services: (705) 759-3398 1 (888) 721-0077
Sault Area Hospital (705) 759-3434 750 Great Northern Road Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 0A8
West End Walk-in Clinic (705) 450-5339 658 Second Line West Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
Learning Disability Office
Raquel Lehto 705-949-2301 x4225 raquel.lehto@algomau.ca
On-Campus Doctor
To make an appointment call or e-mail: 705-759-2554 x2720 doctor@algomau.ca
On-Campus Sexual Misconduct Resources:
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for sexual assault complaints Campus Security: 705-949-2301 x4444
Human Rights & Equity Office 705-949-2301 x4112
Health & Safety Officer: 705-949-2301 x4373
Timmins
Accessibility Services
705-235-3211 x2237
Indigenous Advising Support
705-235-3211 x2233
Support Services
Rose Leeson, Support Services Coordinator 705-235-3211 x2175 rose.leeson@algomau.ca Office: D116-02
Brampton
Crisis Services If you are experiencing dark thoughts and feel that you are unsafe, please call Crisis Services: 1 (906) 278-9036 1 (888) 811-2222
William Osler Health System – Brampton Civic Hospital (905) 494-2120 / (416) 494-2120 2100 Bovaird Drive East Brampton, ON
Newcomer Centre of Peel Free counselling services (905) 306-0577 x384 165 Dundas Street West, Suite 116 Mississauga, ON
Queen West Walk-In Clinic (905) 796-5777 400 Queen St W Brampton, ON
For more resources visit:
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