Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane on Tuesday sent a message offering support for members of the Queen’s community affected by the COVID-19 emergency in India.

“Our university is home to many students, staff, and faculty from India, many of whom still have close ties and family living there, so I understand that the toll this situation is taking on them is considerable. The university is committed to assisting those affected in any way it can,” Principal Deane says.

During the current outbreak, the country has reported more than 300,000 positive cases and more than 3,000 deaths on a daily basis. The spike in cases has overwhelmed hospitals and has caused shortages of key medical supplies, including oxygen.

Principal Deane highlighted that supports are available to any community member in need.

“Now, as at every other stage of the pandemic, it is critical that we support each other in any way we can. And our compassion and practical support, like the virus which calls it forth, can never be stopped at national boundaries,” Principal Deane adds.

The university will host a special online support session for Indian and Pakistani students via Zoom on Thursday, May 6, starting at 1 pm, with supports from Students Wellness Services and the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) available.

The full statement is available on the Office of the Principal website.

Resources and supports available for Queen’s community members 

Students living in Kingston and anywhere in Ontario:

• Student Wellness Services for weekday appointments with a team of mental health professionals; after-hours supports at all other times.
• The Student Wellness Services website also lists additional online and off-campus mental health supports, including new free online services introduced in response to the pandemic (some available to students anywhere in Canada).

Out-of-province and internationally-living students:

• Empower Me, our free 24/7 service that is available to students across North America and many countries around the world, in several languages.
• Students can call Empower Me for crisis support, as well as ongoing counselling and support for many issues.
• International SOS is another option for emergency services.
• Additional online supports, including the self-directed Therapy Assistance Online, are also available to all students.
• Students can also seek mental health services located where they are.

Queen’s staff and faculty can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program to speak to a counsellor 24/7, through LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell.