Grad school is hard. Most of us at some point (or points) during our degree could benefit from some mental health help. It can be intimidating to look for services, and there are options available that you might not even be aware of. I hope that by creating a ‘cheat sheet’ of different sources for working on your mental health, you are able to find whatever you think would be best for you. I also will recommend that you try to avoid my mistake – waiting until things are an emergency. You can see a counsellor or access various services as a way of keeping yourself in a good place, rather than waiting to seek help until things are dire. There can sometimes be a culture that glorifies being overworked and under-rested in graduate school, even though we know that this is unhealthy. This can take a real toll. So please access whatever services are available through Queen’s to help you get through both the good times and the hard times!
- Graduate Counsellor – the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs has a counsellor specifically for graduate students. This service is totally free, and can be accessed by anyone in grad school at Queen’s. To book an appointment call 613-533-2506 and request the graduate counsellor.
- Specialized Counsellors – Queen’s Student Wellness Services offers counsellors who have specialties such as Eating Disorders, Sexual Violence, Black-identified, LGBT2SQ+, Indigenous, and Cross-cultural/racialized students. This service is totally free, and can be accessed by anyone at Queen’s. To book an appointment call 613-533-2506 and request a specialized counsellor.
- General Counsellors – There are also general counsellors who are either registered psychotherapists or social workers who address issues related to stress, low mood, relationships, academic stress, clinical depression, and/or anxiety disorders. This service is totally free, and can be accessed by anyone at Queen’s. To book an appointment call 613-533-2506 and request a general counsellor.
- Empower Me – a service for graduate students that provides few online counselling for students 24/7.Sstudents can access Empower me though this link: /studentwellness/empower-me or by calling 1-844-741-6389.
- Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) – TAO provides a library of engaging, interactive pathways that promote wellness and can help students cope with challenging times.
- Cultural Counsellor – Through Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre /fourdirections/
- Embedded Counsellor – Understand culture and specific demands of their department/faculty and are more familiar with navigating their policies and procedures. Ex. Arts and Science, Engineering, Commerce specific. /studentwellness/mental-health/scope-services
- Wellness Groups – These are student only wellness groups that meet regularly, or one-off events. There are a variety of groups available. Ex. 2SLGBTQ+ Sharing Circle, Overcoming Depression and Anxiety, PEGaSuS Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence, Bereavement Group. /studentwellness/groups-events-trainings
- Private Counselling – Our health insurance through Queen’s also covers $400-$500 worth of private counselling. You may be able to find a service provider who does a sliding-scale for pricing and get several appointments using your insurance. You may need to pay the costs upfront and wait to be reimbursed though.
- Self-Directed Workbooks – There are several workbooks available through Queen’s that you might also find helpful for things such as managing anxiety. /studentwellness/supports-resources
I hope that you find this list helpful! And remember that there is no shame is asking for help, as we all need help at some point or another!