I write to express Queen’s utmost concern and care for the Bangladeshi students, faculty members, and staff in our community, and our colleagues in the country, during the on-going protests in Bangladesh. I recognize the great distress that many feel regarding the violence experienced by students, friends and neighbours. Queen’s respects the rights of students, including Queen’s students, to protest peacefully on their campuses and in their communities.
Below is an updated list of supports available to students, faculty members, and staff at Queen’s. The university is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. We have a range of support services available on campus to help you cope with the stress, anxiety, grief, or fear you may be experiencing. Our counselling services and support teams are here to listen, support, and assist you in any way they can. I encourage you to explore and utilize these valuable resources.
Dr. Sandra den Otter
Vice-Provost, Global Engagement
Resources and Supports
Student Health and Wellbeing
- Students in Ontario can call 613-533-2506 from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, to schedule an appointment with the counselling team at Student Wellness Services (SWS) or drop in to SWS’s weekday afternoon mental health clinic (1-4 pm Monday to Thursday, 1-3pm on Friday).
- 24/7, students can call Good2Talk, at 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868, or contact crisis support and counselling through Empower Me.
- Cultural Supports are available including Queen’s Cross-Cultural Counsellor.
- Faith and Spiritual Life offers multi-faith, non-judgmental support at chaplain@queensu.ca.
- The Queen’s University International Centre supports international students with services to encourage a successful student experience. To connect with an International Student Advisor, book an appointment through the QUIC website or email isa@queensu.ca.
- The Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion team is committed to creating comfortable and accountable spaces on campus for students who identify as Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and as Persons of Colour (QTBIPoC) to feel safer, to create community, to be empowered, to celebrate their identity, and to flourish. To book time with an advisor, email yellowhouse@queensu.ca. Follow Yellow House on Instagram for events.
Safety Support
Safety on campus is a priority for the university, and everything possible is being done to ensure the safety of our community. The university is closely monitoring any threats to the safety of its students, staff and faculty and Campus Security is on heightened alert.
- The Principal and the leadership team will put in place any precautions and protections necessary to keep our community safe. If you have any concerns about your physical safety, contact Campus Security or local police immediately.
- Anyone on campus can also utilize the Blue Light Emergency Phones located throughout all Kingston campus locations, or contact the campus Emergency Response Centre, at 613-533-6111.
- The campus has supports for personal safety, including AMS Walkhome, Safe Walk or the Lone Worker Program if working alone at night (Campus Security, 613-533-6080).
- Students, faculty, and employees are encouraged to download and use the SeQure App. SeQure provides a quick way to contact emergency services and other supports. By activating the push notifications in the app, users can proactively receive emergency/safety notifications.
- Any campus community member who experiences or witnesses any hate-motivated act is encouraged to report it and/or connect with the Human Rights and Equity office for support. Anonymous submissions may be made using the IN-SIGHT Tool.
Faculty/Staff Health and Wellbeing Support
- The Human Resources Get Help page contains a current repository of supports for faculty and staff, including instructions on how to access the EFAP.
- Support resources for the Queen’s faculty and staff and their family members can be found at any time through TELUS Health One, Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
- Faculty may wish to reference Teaching in Times of Crisis from the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
- The Green Folder resource provides faculty and staff with information to help them identify and respond to students in distress.