COVID-19 - FAQs for Student Wellness Services

Yes! Student Health Services will administer 1st and 2nd vaccines as well as 3rd and 4th booster COVID-19 vaccine doses to eligible students, staff and faculty members.

Please call 519-824-4120 x 52131 Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm to book an appointment. More information.

Please visit the University of Guelph's COVID-19 website for up-to-date campus protocols if you have been exposed or if you have COVID-19. 

No. The University is no longer offering a COVID-19 Assessment Clinic at this time. To receive a COVID-19 PCR test, visit the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health website.

We all have a role to play in helping protect our community and reducing the spread of COVID-19. Follow the guidelines below to help keep yourself and others safe when you are on campus. 

Visit the University of Guelph website for up-to-date safety measures and practices to help reduce the spread of COVID-19

Counselling and mental health care will continue to be provided by Student Wellness by phone, virtually or in-person when guidelines allow. Individuals can make appointments by calling Student Wellness (519-824-4120 x53244).  

Individuals seeking support who haven’t been seen in the past can set up appointments with our Student Wellness Navigators who will assist students to connect with appropriate services.  Individuals can call Student Wellness to book an appointment (x53244).

Same-day appointments (Drop In) is available. Please call X53244 during our regular drop-in times which are 1:00-3:30pm Monday -Friday (Fall and Winter Semester) and 2:00- 3:30pm (summer semester).  A counsellor will call you back during this time.

The Student Support Network (SSN) Peer to peer virtual counselling drop-in or in person when guidelines allow. Visit our website (wellness.uoguelph.ca/ssn) to see hours, details, and to book a session. 

The SSN is closed in the Spring/Summer semester, during Winter Break, and during Reading Week.

By Phone: 

Please accept the call which may come from either an unknown number or the University's number.

Virtually:

An invitation for the appointment will be sent 5 minutes before your appointment time through our secure Input Health system.  Please use Chrome when signing into the virtual meeting. You will sign into the system with a password sent to your email or text.

We will be using technologies that are deemed secure, however video and audio may be at increased security risk for being intercepted or disclosed to a third party.  To help keep your information safe and secure you can:

• Understand that this method of communication is not secure in the same way as a private appointment in a counselling office.
• Use a private computer/device (i.e., not an employer’s or third party’s computer/device) and a secure internet connection. For example, using a personal computer or tablet is more secure than at a library, and your access to the internet on your home network will generally be more secure than an open guest Wi-Fi connection.
• Ensure you are in a private space where your conversation with the counsellor cannot be overheard. You may book a space at Student Wellness if required.
• You should also understand that virtual care is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, nor for attending the Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required)

In-person

• In-person appointments will be offered as guidelines allow
• Follow all COVID protocols for coming onto campus
• Student wellness is located in the JT Powell Building
• Check in at the Reception Desk and you will be given directions on where to go

Urgent Access

24-hour/7-days a week mental health support lines available:

• Here 24/7 at 1-884-437-3247
• Good2Talk at 1-866-925-5454
• HelpPhone at 1-800-668-6868, or if you prefer texting support, text UofG to 686868

Online Video Counselling is available through mywellness powered by Inkblot, and your Student Health Insurance Plan/any family benefits can help to cover the costs of this service. It would occur over the computer via a secure version of Skype and is more affordable than in-person counselling, which means your student benefits stretch even further and you don’t need to travel to a counsellor’s office. Your first session is free!

Online Self-Directed Supports and Resources:

• COVID-19 Anxiety:
  • Coping with coronavirus anxiety (Harvard)
  • Anxious about the coronavirus? Here are 5 tips from mental health experts (CTV)
• Anxiety Canada: My Anxiety Plan - an online resource providing self-help information for anxiety, as well as a CBT based curriculum 
• Togetherall: a free, online mental health and wellbeing service that helps people who are dealing with everyday stressors and mild to moderate depression and anxiety. This service provides virtual online peer support and self-management tools for adults and youth: 
• Centre for Clinical Intervention: Coping with depression online modules & workbook and support for health anxiety

App Supports

Mindshift: CBT app for Anxiety Support: https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/new-mindshift-cbt-app-gives-canadians-free-anxiety-relief

Staff/Faculty can call x53444 if you would like to consult with a counsellor regarding a student of concern.

YES. HPC remains open its to the public for in-person or virtual appointments. 

For any questions and appointment queries you can phone (519) 767-5011 or email hpc@uoguelph.ca

Students may call 519-824-4120 x53020 or email svinfo@uoguelph.ca for support. The Sexual Violence Support Coordinator will respond within 1 business day to arrange an appointment. Virtual and in-person meetings are available based on student need/preference.

The SAS Exam Centre is available for invigilating exams with students who have approved disability-related accommodations. We have posted exam centre key info, information about how to book your exams, and an overview of extra time for online quizzes, tests and exams.

This service is to help supplement the learning of students with disabilities who are in class and experience a barrier to taking their own notes. It is not an appropriate substitute for attending class (e.g. for students who are sick).

Students who are registered with SAS and have access to note-taking as a disability-related accommodation can continue to access the note-taking portal. Problems can be addressed to sasnotes@uoguelph.ca.

For distance education, recorded lectures, and hands-on learning, volunteer note-taking might not be an effective way of accommodating your needs. If you experience a disability that prevents you from accessing online content, please contact your SAS Advisor.

If you experience a routine, short-term illness (including colds, the flu, and most people with symptoms of COVID-19), you do not need to register with SAS. Follow the regular procedures for missed academic work due to illness:

• Contact your professor for in-course tests, exams and assignments,
• Contact your program counsellor for final exams or deadlines that you cannot meet before the semester is over.

If you experience complications due to COVID-19, such as those resulting from another pre-existing health condition, then you may need to register with SAS for on-going support.

In addition, SAS supports all other types of disabilities, both permanent and temporary. This includes mental health conditions, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, chronic medical conditions, concussions and other brain injuries, mobility and dexterity impairments, and vision and hearing impairments.

Students can initiate the process of registering with SAS by filling out the New Student Intake Form found on our website.

Supporting Documentation

Students who register with SAS will be asked to provide supporting documentation from an appropriate health care professional.

Flexibility around deadlines

If there is a disability-related reason you cannot meet an academic deadline, please contact your SAS Advisor for assistance. Note that students are expected to reach out for assistance at the first opportunity.

Adaptive software and alternate format text

If you need assistance with adaptive software or alternate format text, please contact Library Accessibility Services.

Appointments with an SAS advisor: SAS will continue to offer one-on-one appointments for students during regular business hours. This service is now being offered via MS Teams, over the phone and in person. You can book an appointment by calling 519-824-4120 ext. 56208. Please specify if you would like an in-person appointment when making a booking as some staff occasionally work remotely.

Prospective students: Students who have applied to the University of Guelph but not yet started their degree may request an appointment with an SAS Advisor. These appointments provide general information about the types of disability-related supports and accommodation available on campus. Call 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca. We will be conducting these appointments over the phone or online.

SAS Advisor Drop-in: Advisors continue to be available most days from 10:00 to 11:30 for drop-in. Please email your SAS Advisor with your contact information if you have a time-sensitive concern.

SAS advisors who are away: All SAS Advisors have made contingency plans for a colleague to cover their caseload for urgent situations if they are away. If you are not sure who to contact, please call x56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca.

Response time to email: SAS Advisors make a best effort to respond to email within 2 to 3 business days. However, during busy times there could be a bit of a delay. Please watch for an auto-reply message as this often has key details about how to get timely assistance.

If you have a time-sensitive academic concern, please review your course outline for suggestions about what to do. If appropriate, you may then email your professor and copy your SAS Advisor. If there is additional context you wish to share with your SAS Advisor, you may also email them privately.

When asking for assistance from your SAS Advisor by email, please be sure to explain how your disability is related to the current situation, and provide specific details about the relevant courses and deadlines.

The Wellness Education & Promotion Centre is open for student drop-ins Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, in addition to Student Support Network hours being offered both in-person and virtually. If you are looking for resources or information on a health topic, please email us at wellness@uoguelph.ca and our staff will be happy to connect with you! The majority of our programs are running in an in-person format with some virtual offerings in order to be accessible to all students.

The Student Support Network (SSN) Peer-to-peer virtual counselling drop-in or in person when guidelines allow. Visit our website (wellness.uoguelph.ca/ssn) to see hours, details, and to book a session. 

For up-to-date information on our Peer Support Programs, go to: https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/education-support-programs

For a list of all of our upcoming events and workshops and to sign up for those, check out our GryphLife page at: https://gryphlife.uoguelph.ca/organization/wellness/events

Gryphon Family website -  A collection of resources that can help our Gryphon family thrive during these unprecedented times. Student Affairs has created this website to help make school life, work life and home life a bit easier during COVID-19.

Finding your SHINE amid COVID-19: Mental well-being tips and strategies - Student Wellness has put together these important strategies to help you SHINE through these uncertain times.

Pharmacy services on campus - Please note that the UC Pharmacy remains open Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm daily. Please note that while the University Centre is now closed, the UC Pharmacy is still open. For students and patients needing to pick up a prescription or other supplies, please call the pharmacy at 519-763-7773 to be let into the UC building via the EAST SIDE automatic door.