With Winter Term now over and Spring classes set to get underway next week, the health and well-being of Brock students remain the University\u2019s top priority.<\/p>\n
Supports are available year-round, said Sarah Pennisi, Director of Brock\u2019s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC), who urged students to reach out for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cCall us. Reach out to us. There are no wrong questions,\u201d she said. \u201cWhatever it is you\u2019re going through, we\u2019ll walk with you. Whether you\u2019re concerned about a relationship, worried about a roommate, or if you have a question about your identity or sexuality. We\u2019re here, and we\u2019ll figure it out together.\u201d<\/p>\n
SWAC offers a wealth of programming for both undergraduate and graduate students, including Personal Counselling, Student Health Services (SHS), Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and Peer Health Education and Promotion.<\/p>\n
The supports have seen a significant uptick in usage over the past seven years, but the pandemic has sent demand into overdrive:<\/p>\n
SWAC has been working hard to meet the growing need for support and make a difference in the lives of students through its pillars of service.<\/p>\n
Personal Counselling addresses students\u2019 concerns about their well-being with 24-7 support via telephone or text chat with professional licensed counsellors.<\/p>\n
Student Health Services provides virtual health care and makes in-person visits when medically necessary.<\/p>\n
Student Accessibility Services is supporting students with accessibility needs with one-on-one case manager support, providing accommodations for a variety of conditions, including learning disabilities, mental health disorders, or physical, vision or hearing disabilities.<\/p>\n
Peer health education and promotion provides peer support and programming for both undergraduate and graduate students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are always looking to knock down barriers preventing students from using our services,\u201d said Pennisi. \u201cWe want our students to access what we have to offer easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
SWAC worked to overcome two major hurdles imposed by the pandemic: the need for appointments to be booked outside of business hours and for a high standard of support to be available through text.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccess 24-7 is vitally important for students,\u201d said Pennisi. \u201cWe also recognize that because students were learning remotely from home that sometimes they weren\u2019t able to speak freely, so the importance of text communication was paramount.\u201d<\/p>\n
SWAC implemented a game-changing service with the My Student Support Program App (SSP), which offers real-time, 24-7 confidential telephone and text chat counselling support for students in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese.<\/p>\n
The app also offers resources, including articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, evidence-based screening self-assessments and free access to the virtual fitness app LIFT.<\/p>\n
Although other organizations provide text mental health supports, Brock\u2019s services consist of a full suite of mental health assistance, including appointments and interventions by highly skilled mental health practitioners.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a live person pick up the phone or answer a text is integral, especially when students are in distress,\u201d Pennisi said. \u201cIt takes a lot of courage to take that first step, and this service has been the difference in providing round-the-clock support. The SSP app has been effective in reaching students who wouldn\u2019t otherwise seek assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Counsellors from Morneau Sheppell were also integrated on campus alongside Student Wellness staff when the initiative was launched in December<\/a> as a one-year pilot project.<\/p>\n Pennisi said SWAC is grateful for the funding it has received from the\u00a0Ontario government<\/a>,\u00a0the Niagara Community Foundation<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Takeda Canada Inc.<\/a>, and for ongoing support from the Brock University Students\u2019 Union.<\/p>\n To reach SWAC\u2019s services:<\/p>\n Personal Counselling<\/strong><\/p>\n Personal Counselling crisis support is available 24-7 by calling 1-833-BROCK-33, or, if outside of North America, by calling 001-416-382-3257. Addiction support is also available Tuesday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Student Health Services<\/strong><\/p>\n Students can book telehealth or virtual appointments with SHS by calling 905-688-5550 x3243. Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Students can also connect with an SHS nurse if they\u2019re feeling unwell or have questions regarding COVID-19 by calling 289-968-5273 or emailing\u00a0covid19nurse@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Student Accessibility Services<\/strong><\/p>\n Students who are currently registered for SAS services can book case manager, learning strategist, assistive technology and available drop-in appointments through the online booking portal.<\/p>\n