University of Guelph Mental Health Training

2022-23 University of Guelph Mental Health Training Programs

The following training programs are available for University of Guelph students, staff, and faculty. We also occasionally offer open training programs for individuals. Students can see currently available training opportunities on GryphLife [1], and Faculty and Staff should check the Learning & Development event calendar [2]. Email mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca to book training or discuss which option is suitable for your group.

Upcoming Trainings:

Beyond the Books Mental Health Literacy Training (Open to all students, staff and faculty): 12:00-1:00pm on September 20th. Register Now! [3]
Beyond the Books Mental Health Literacy Training (Open to all students, staff and faculty): 12:00-1:00pm on October 13th. Register Now! [4]

safeTALK (Restricted to only U of G staff and faculty): 1:00-4:30pm on September 21st. Register Now! [5]
safeTALK (Restricted to only U of G staff and faculty): 8:30am-12:00pm on October 18th. Register Now! [6]

ASIST (Open to all students, staff and faculty): 8:30-4:45pm on October 10th and 11th. Register Now! [7]

More Feet on the Ground

More Feet on the Ground is an educational website on how to recognize, respond and refer students experiencing mental health issues on campus.

Recommended for: All members of the University community including students, staff and faculty.
Registration: Complete the online module independently at morefeetontheground.ca [8]
Cost: None
Length: Less than 30 minutes

Beyond the Books

Beyond the Books is a face-to-face session that will first provide participants with general information on the prevalence of mental challenges and illness. It will then help participants to identify signs of troubling behaviour and give them skills to engage in a preliminary discussion to determine if referral to a professional is necessary. Participants will also learn how and where to refer appropriately in a compassionate and effective manner. This session is designed for individuals who do not have ongoing relationships with individuals but whose roles are such that they may have one-off, in-depth conversations.

Recommended for: Individuals who may be in positions to see behaviour and have conversations with students, but have no responsibility for the individuals, nor involved in regularly addressing mental health issues. Examples include: Custodians, Hospitality Staff, Instructors (faculty, TA’s, and Sessionals), Administrative Assistants, Residence Desk Staff and Porters. All U of G Students, staff and faculty are welcome to participate!
Registration: Email mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca

Cost: None

Length: 1.5 hours
Completion of More Feet on the Ground is recommended. [8]

LivingWorks Start

LivingWorks Start is an online alertness training that prepares anyone, regardless of prior experience or training, to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support.

Recommended for: Individuals who are not mental health experts but who might have on-going relationships with people who have mental health issues and/or where the individual is in a position of authority. Examples might include: Faculty Advisors and Graduate Assistants, Chairs/Directors, Deans, Supervisors, RAs, varsity coaches, Program Counsellors, Union/employee group leaders, individuals involved in Human Resources, and Faculty and Academic Staff Relations. All U of G Students, staff and faculty are welcome to participate!
Registration: Email mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca to request access
Cost: None
Length: 1.5 hours

safeTALK

Designed by Living Works, SafeTALK is a 3.5 hours alertness training and certification that prepares anyone, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. The SafeTALK trainer will demonstrate the importance of suicide alertness, assist participants to identify ways people invite help, and connect them with resources to help them when they are at risk.

Examples include: Examples include Faculty Advisors and Graduate Assistants, Chairs/Directors, Deans, Supervisors, RA’s, varsity coaches, Program Counsellors, Union/employee group leaders, individuals involved in Human Resources, and Faculty and Academic Staff Relations.

Registration: mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca

Cost: None

Length: 3.5 hours

Beyond the Books - Level 2

Developed in-house, this 1.5 hour training builds on concepts and skills from both Beyond the Books and SafeTALK/LivingWorks START. This training is designed to provide an opportunity for students/faculty/staff to refresh their knowledge and skills on how to approach conversations around mental health concerns and suicide. This training will provide an overview of main concepts from both the Beyond the Books and SafeTALK/LivingWorks START trainings and will introduce some strategies for effective communication in difficult situations. This training will conclude with participants engaging in several scenario-based discussions and activities, to allow for time to practice.

Recommended for: Individuals who have previously completed Beyond the Books and/or safeTALK/LivingWorks Start and are looking to further develop and enhance their skills in dealing with mental health and suicide-related conversations.

Cost: None

Length: 1.5 hours

Mental Health First Aid

Developed by the Mental Health Commission Canada, this 2-day certification course focuses on the four most common mental health disorders including substance-related, mood-related, anxiety and trauma-related, and psychotic disorders.

Recommended for: Individuals for whom those in distress are referred to, or who have direct responsibilities for assisting those experience significant difficulties. These are not mental health professionals per se, but who are expected to have professional competency in understanding and monitoring situations where mental health forms an important component of dynamics and/or individuals who work outside of normal business hours and who may need to deal with a crisis situation without available professional support. Examples might include staff in Occupational Health and Wellness, Health Services, Residence Managers, and Campus Safety Office

Registration: The University of Guelph is currently unable to offer Mental Health First Aid on campus. Contact mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca for more information about opportunities within the community.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Developed by Living Works, ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop that teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.

Recommended for: Individuals for whom those in distress are referred, or who have direct responsibilities for assisting those experiencing significant difficulties. These are not mental health professionals per se, but who are expected to have professional competency in understanding and monitoring situations where mental health forms an important component of dynamics and/or individuals who work outside of normal business hours and who may need to deal with a crisis situation without available professional support.  Examples might include staff in Occupational Health and Wellness, Health Services, Residence Life Managers, and Campus Safety Office.

Registration: mentalhealth.training@uoguelph.ca

Cost: None

Length: 2 Days

Mental Health Module Series [9]

This series of online mental health modules is freely accessible, and aims to improve students' education on a number of topics related to mental health and mental illness.

These trainings are offered through the Student Mental Health Network [10].