The end of the semester can be a stressful time for many students as exams get closer and final assignments near. No matter where students are completing this unprecedented academic year, Queen’s has resources in place to help them focus on wellness and finish with confidence.

“Any student who feels like they need extra support is encouraged to make use of the resources available through Student Wellness Services and other units across Student Affairs” says Kate Humphrys, Health Promotion Coordinator, Student Wellness Services (SWS). “This can be a challenging time of year under the best of circumstances, and we have a variety of supports in place to help students.”

Students looking to develop academic strategies can make use of Student Academic Success Services (SASS). SASS offers many academic support resources, online workshops, and one-on-one appointments. For the exam period, they have developed a study schedule template students can use to make the most of their time and help manage stress.

For 24/7 wellness assistance, students can turn to Empower Me, which is made available through a partnership among Queen’s, the Alma Mater Society, and the Society for Graduate and Professional Students. Empower Me is a phone service that connects users with professionals who can help with a wide range of issues, including crisis response, mental health, career planning, interpersonal conflicts, financial planning, and nutritional counselling. Empower Me offers services in many different languages, and it is available across North America and in many countries around the world. The North American phone number is 1-833-628-5589.

Wellness Together Canada offers 24/7 support to anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad through both live phone counseling and online resources. Wellness Together is a collaborative project developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic funded by the Government of Canada.

No matter where they are located, all students can use Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) to access interactive tools 24/7 that can help build skills to manage the stressors of university life.

For students seeking a community of support, SWS is offering online events throughout the remainder of the semester, including mindfulness sessions and virtual cooking classes.

SWS is open weekdays in Mitchell Hall. Students can call 613-533-2506 to book medical and mental health appointments at SWS; most appointments are being held on the phone or through secure video.

One-on-one counselling services and mental health crisis support are offered online and, in some cases, in person for students living in Ontario. Students outside Ontario have access to one-on-one counselling through Empower Me. 

SWS physicians can treat students who are anywhere in Canada, and they are offering some in-person physician appointments

Students can also book a COVID-19 test at the Mitchell Hall assessment centre; hours may vary, so students should check available times on the SWS website.

Students who are being impacted by illness or unexpected events are encouraged to access support under the university’s extenuating circumstances policy that aims to provide students with consistent and fair academic consideration.

Throughout April, SWS will be using social media to highlight fun online resources students can use for stress relief, such as Queen’s Home Kitchen and ambient music created by Queen’s students. Follow SWS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more recommendations.

Learn more about available resources on the SWS website the Student Affairs website.