Student Mental Health Resources
General Mental Health Resources
The following resources were curated as a joint initiative between the University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), to provide a starting point for students looking to learn more about a variety of mental health topics. CAMH is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres. This resource list is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by CAMH or the University of Toronto, and does not guarantee any particular outcome. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.
Crisis support
If you are in immediate crisis, there are many supports to help you.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – a list of crisis resources in and around Toronto: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/crisis-resources
- Distress support (academic distress, financial distress, housing distress, sexual assault and safety, equity offices and communities of care): https://bit.ly/30Jn1xj
Mental health support: Online & phone
Need to talk to someone? The following services provide confidential, 24-hour support for university students.
- Togetherall (Peer-to-peer platform offering a safe place to connect with others experiencing similar feelings): https://togetherall.com/en-ca/
- U of T My Student Support Team (Culturally-competent counseling services in 146 languages for all U of T students): https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/service/myssp/
- Good2Talk (Professional counselling, information, and referrals for post-secondary students in Ontario): https://good2talk.ca/ontario/
Navi: UT’s mental health wayfinder
Navi is a chat-based service that acts as a virtual assistant for students wanting to learn more about the mental health supports available to them at the University of Toronto.
- Navi: https://bit.ly/4coy1lS
BounceBack: Helping with depression, anxiety, and mild-to-moderate mood issues
BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program for people in Ontario who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.
- Bounceback: http://ow.ly/L6ii50BrH17
Mental health self-check
This quick self-check tool provides a visualization of your current mental state: https://bit.ly/3ikliFt
Helping others with mental health concerns
Concerned about a friend, colleague, or family member? This infographic provides information on warning signs, offering support, and how to be a helpful.
- Want to know how to help a friend?: https://bit.ly/2GLo6h5
- Supporting others: https://bit.ly/3kE9RJU
Depression
Depression does not need to be experienced alone. Like the online and phone supports listed above, the following resources can help you feel more understood.
- Dealing with depression during a pandemic: https://bit.ly/3nLyDdc
- Adventures in Depression: (part 1) https://bit.ly/2H590TW and (part 2) https://bit.ly/3nOZmp5
Anxiety and stress
Some anxiety is normal, but too much can affect your work and quality of life.
- Solution-focused strategies for coping with anxiety, and a few screening tools to help assess your current anxiety level: https://bit.ly/2ZkPTeP
Resilience
Resiliency is the ability to weather difficult events, and it is a trait that an individual can improve over their lifetime.
- Tips for Building Resilience: https://bit.ly/3n8t9sO
- Resilience in hard times [video]: https://bit.ly/377CMSS
- Creating healthy routines: https://bit.ly/3e690PZ
Black Student Mental Health
Mental health issues affect Canada’s Black communities at a disproportionate rate. The following links facilitate access to culturally safe and affirming mental health services for Black communities.
- Resources for Black healing and support: http://ow.ly/865050BrKNY
- Toronto For All: Anti-Black Racism & Mental Health Resources: http://ow.ly/HD9g50BrKSb
- Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM): https://bit.ly/3mbNhcQ
Indigenous Mental Health
A wide range of virtual services are available to help Indigenous people with their mental wellness.
- Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council: https://www.tassc.ca/supports.html
- Indigenous Services Canada : https://bit.ly/2ZtxLPH
- Video (Views of Cultural Values and Core Concepts During the Pandemic): https://bit.ly/32FyMWz
- Infographic (Shkaabe Makwa): https://bit.ly/32CVD5e
LGBTQ2S mental health
There are many resources and supports available by phone or online for LGBTQ2S people in Toronto.
- Peer support helpline: https://www.youthline.ca/
- Comprehensive list of resources: http://ow.ly/9vjg50BrwZY
- Mental health website for gay, bisexual, queer and other guys into guys: https://goodhead.ca/en/
Caregiver mental health
Increased burdens are placed on caregivers. Caregivers need to be mindful of their mental wellbeing.
- The Ontario Caregiver Organization: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/mental-health/caregiver-wellbeing/
Safer Alcohol Use
You or your friends might choose to drink alcohol. The following info sheet provides information for people who may be at risk of drinking too much.
- Safer drinking: https://bit.ly/4fYvCkW
Safer Drug Use
You or your friends might choose to use non-prescription drugs, or be going through drug withdrawal. If so, it is important to use harm reduction strategies to stay safer.
- Safer drug use: https://bit.ly/3M7lbxx
Safer Vaping
You or your friends might choose to use vaping products. This info sheet gives advice for people who use e-cigarettes.
- Safer vaping: https://bit.ly/3YOzm2i
Safer Tobacco Use
You or your friends might choose to use tobacco products. The following info sheet provides information on tobacco use and nicotine dependence.
- Safer tobacco use: https://bit.ly/3X73yEA
Partner abuse and sexual violence
If you or someone you know needs help related to partner, family and gender-based violence, this CAMH resource has information to get you started.
- Where to go when you're looking for help: https://bit.ly/4fFqXUG
Loss and grief
There are many types of loss and grief. The following links can provide support.
- Loss and grief resources: https://bit.ly/3X749WQ
Staying Mentally Well Online
The following resources were curated as a joint initiative between the University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), to provide a starting point for students looking to learn more about a variety of mental health topics. CAMH is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres. This resource list is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by CAMH or the University of Toronto, and does not guarantee any particular outcome. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.
Studying effectively
These resources offer strategies for attending online classes, completing assignments, and preparing for tests and exams.
- Strategies for online learning and accessibility: https://bit.ly/2DOVmD6
- 8 tips for effective online learning: https://bit.ly/37baneI
Time management
Having conscious control over your time improves productivity and reduces stress. The following links provide time management advice and guidance:
- UT Centre for Critical Development Studies: http://ow.ly/aXUz50Bznc4
- UT Academic Advising and Career Centre: https://bit.ly/30igxFD
- Creative time management tips: http://ow.ly/G1hD50Bzni6
Exercise and nutrition
Good nutrition and exercise are foundations of health. Their benefits are nearly endless, and include improvements in mood, energy, sleep, and productivity.
- Health at Home: https://bit.ly/33WXVNI
- What is the single best thing you can do for your health? [video]: https://bit.ly/3lJc1bg
- The scientific case for good nutrition and exercise during quarantine: https://bit.ly/34S6ad3
Sleep
Practicing good “sleep hygiene” can be an effective way of resolving sleep difficulties. Talk to your doctor if your sleep problems become chronic.
- The science of sleep, and some tips: https://bit.ly/34uc0RE
- 5 easy steps to better sleep: http://bit.ly/46MS2Be
- What to do about insomnia [video]: https://bit.ly/3iS18Ck
Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are proven techniques that reduce stress and improve clarity, particularly in times of uncertainty.
- Guided meditations: https://bit.ly/2Gqj5dt
- Mindfulness course: https://bit.ly/30kFtMD
Stretching and yoga
Keeping your body energized and flexible has positive effects for your mindset as well.
- Stretching at the workstation: https://bit.ly/30l8kk5
Ergonomics
If you sit at your computer for an extended amount of time, use ergonomic principles to prevent body ailments from slowing you down.
- How to create an ergonomic workspace: https://bit.ly/36gnH0R
Dealing with loneliness
Are you uncertain of how to cope with loneliness? There are creative ways to deal with loneliness and add variety to your everyday routine.
- Dealing with loneliness: https://bit.ly/2FeUBnh
Roommate problems and conflict management
Sharing space in your home or apartment with others, for longer periods than you are accustomed to, can be a form of stress.
- How to handle nine typical roommate problems: https://bit.ly/3jX5h9c
- Answers to common roommate questions: https://bit.ly/2IsWX3l
- Confronting conflict with friends: https://bit.ly/2SQrnhT
Perfectionism
Are you a perfectionist? For some, perfectionism can be a cause of stress, and many students struggle with internalized and impossibly high standards. The good news is that you aren’t alone and there are ways to reduce this stress.
- 12 Essential Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism: https://bit.ly/3l3eOvw
- The Perfectionist Trap [video]: https://bit.ly/3druA0H