Mental health support for faculty

There are a number of resources available to support faculty mental health, whether you need help now or want to take preventative measures. To determine which resource is the best fit for your situation, see the "who to talk to" section of this page, or contact us.

What you need to know

  • Conversations with Occupational Health are confidential. You don't need to disclose your situation to your department.

  • You are entitled to a leave of absence, should you need one. You are also entitled to your 180 days of sick leave.

  • The providessupport for short-term, goal-based concerns, through in-person, online, and phone appointments. The program also offers preventative resources. They do not provide support for chronic, long-term issues. Your family members can also access this program!

  • Our benefits don’t apply to all types of therapy and practitioners. You can claim treatments by psychologists, and by counsellors who are registered social workers with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Psychotherapy, for example, is not covered.

  • Counselling Services is a student service. Faculty in distress should contact , Homewood Health, or 911.

  • Everyone at ݮƵ is required to be mindful ofeach other'sworking hoursaccording to the Disconnecting from Work guideline. (Employees are also required to "co-operate fully with any applicable mechanism utilized by the University to record working time or update their working status (e.g., out-of-office messages) as applicable.")

FAUW's advice

  • Remember that you have options if your situation is impacting your ability to work, including therapy, accommodations, and leaves.

  • Seek help: Talk to someone who can help you navigate the situation, whether that's a therapist, FAUW, Occupational Health, or a trusted friend or colleague. You don't have to do this alone.

  • Take preventative measures to protect your wellbeing at work. We often tell people to be their own health advocates; the same goes for mental health and wellbeing. But unlike many health conditions, we have ample evidence for changes we can make in our daily lives that can have an immediate impact on our mental health.

    • Proactive measures: Meditation and physical activity—even 10 minutes a day—can make a significant difference.

    • Protective measures: Try not to get caught up in comparing yourself to others; collegial, friendly relationships at work lead to job satisfaction.

Crisis services

Homewood Health

1.800.663.1142 (English)
1.866.398.9505 (French)
1.888.384.1152 (TTY)

Local crisis services

For emergency room services:

For other supports: Here 24/7
Web:
Phone: 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247)
TTY: 1-877-688-5501

Who to talk to

Where to find information

Employee supports: initiatives and resources at ݮƵ

Community supports

  • The provides recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families.
  • Grand River Hospital offers and an , as well as outpatient and withdrawal services.
  • more community resources on the EFAP website.

Further reading

  • Homewood Health’s , alibrary of resources and articles on everything from fitness and career development to parenting and family finances.
  • , an online resource from Canada Life

  • “” from Temple University.

  • The is an international charter that calls upon post-secondary institutions to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.The Charter was an important framing document for the work of the President's Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health (PAC-SMH).