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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Mental Health Groups

Student Mental Health Services offers a range of groups and workshops to support your mental health. If you would like to participate in one or more groups, please click the respective button and complete the interest form. Each group will only run if sufficient interest is demonstrated. 

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills Group

The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills group provides support in the areas of emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. Sessions are conducted virtually on Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. Students may register for any of the three modules or for the full 24 week cycle. If you have questions about the DBT skills group, or you’d like to join, please email studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca.

Depression Support Group

Virtually on Mondays from October 16 to December 4 |  2 to 3:30 p.m. 

Are you feeling sad? Isolated? Unmotivated? Very tired? Hopeless? Do you experience extended periods of low moods or feeling blue? You are not alone. Join the Depression Support Group to connect with other struggling students and learn coping strategies to help improve your mood and quality of life. This group will run virtually for the fall 2023 semester. Please note: Registrants are expected to attend all sessions.

If you're interested in attending, please contact studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca. 

Yoga, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Group

Thursdays from September 28 to November 23 | 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Virtually or in person at South Village Residence 

Yoga, mindfulness and self-compassion are all evidence-based approaches to improving our sense of peace and well-being.  Who couldn’t use a little more peace and well-being?  Join us for this delightful group that includes gentle movement, inspired learning and soothing meditation.

Register 

Recovery College

Ontario Tech has partnered with the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences since 2020 to bring the Recovery College model of student-driven mental health support to our students. Recovery College courses are co-designed and co-facilitated by Ontario Tech students.  These courses provide education about mental health and wellness and empower students to discover or rediscover connection, passion, hope and meaning.

Recovery College courses

  • From Surviving to Thriving - Self development skills for students
    Tuesdays from September 26 to October 31 | Virtual via Google Meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

    Do you ever feel like you're getting by, but not necessarily thriving? Are you looking to improve your skills in self care and time management and to create new habits? This course might be for you! Within this course you'll learn new skills that can help you to thrive throughout your university experience. This is a workshop format delivered through semi-structured curriculum, guided discussions and activities. 

    What will I learn?

    • How to balance and prioritize the various areas of our lives to avoid burnout.
    • How to create helpful habits, to manage finances, to embrace self care and to manage your precious time.
    • Life skills that are relevant and useful to you in your specific circumstances, whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student. 
    Weekly schedule:

    Week one: Self care: Understanding the importance of carving out time for ourselves 

    Week two: Time management: Practical ways to manage your time effectively 

    Week three: Cultivating healthy habits: Developing habits that serve our wellness  

    Week four: Financial awareness: Making the most of your student budget 

    Week five:  Creating a wellness toolkit: Bringing all of our skills together 

    Register 

    Please note: You can register for individual weeks, or the entire five-week course.  

  • Co-Design: Create mental health programming for your peers
    Wednesdays from Novemember 1 to 29 | Hybrid sessions from 4 to 5 p.m.

    What will I do?

    You are an expert in the student experience, and we value your voice! If you're interested in informing mental health programming at your school, this is the course for you. You and your peers will come together to brainstorm ideas for Recovery College courses to be offered in the winter semester of 2024. You'll decide on the course topics, the content and how you'd like to engage students. As students, you and your peers know your needs better than anyone else. We can’t wait to learn and create alongside you!

    What will I learn?

    • How to work as a member of a team to design and co-create relevant and impactful mental health-related courses.
    • How to leverage your experiences navigating wellness as a post-secondary student as a source of strength and value to programming with Recovery College.

    Register