Wellness resources

Mental health and wellness are priorities at OHRI, and many resources are available to support employees, students & postdoctoral fellows.

If you or someone you know is in crisis

• Contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (available 24/7) at 613-722-6914, or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991.
• In any life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.

Counselling and mental health services

• For OHRI employees (includes postdoctoral fellows):
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program
    • Free, confidential counselling and support services for employees and their immediate family members, available 24/7
• For students and postdoctoral fellows:
  • Urgent mental health resources for uOttawa students
  • Resources listed at bottom of Faculty of Medicine Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies homepage
  • Good2Talk Post-Secondary student helpline for free professional counselling and referral. Phone 1-866-925-5454.
• For everyone:
  • Ottawa Distress Centre Distress line: 613-238-3311; Crisis line: 613-722-6914

Wellness tools

Use the wellness navigator to access many resources available to OHRI staff, and see resources, tips and tools to help cope with COVID-19 or other tragic world events. The Helium app is also available through IRISGuide.

Students and postdocs can also find wellness resources on the uOttawa Health and Wellness website, and on Compass: the holistic student life platform.

Wellness check-in

Take a moment to think about today

• Acknowledge one thing that was difficult
• Consider one thing that went well
• Check on your peers before you leave for the day. Are they okay?
• Check in with yourself: Are you okay?

It’s okay not to be okay - help is available.