• The Wellness Centre provides health care services to Laurier Students.

• It is located on the 2nd floor of the Student's Union building on 103 Darling street

• They provide the following services:

  • 1. Doctors and Registered Nurses

    2. Message therapy

    3. Physiotherapy

    4. Chiropractor

    5. Mental Health/Wellness Counsellors

• The Wellness Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:15 pm

After Hour Emergencies

• For free, 24-hour medical advice from a registered nurse, call Telehealth Ontario at 1.866.797.0000. Note: Calling Telehealth Ontario does not replace calling 911 in an emergency.

• If you require urgent health care after hours or on weekends, go to the Emergency department of Brantford General Hospital, located at 200 Terrace Hill Street.

Nearby Walk-In Clinics

• Charing Cross Walk-in Clinic: 124 Charing Cross, Brantford, 519.304.8551

• Willett Urgent Care Clinic: 238 Grand River Street North, Paris, 519.442.2251

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Poison Centre: 1.800.268.9017

• Sexual Assault Centre of Brant: 519.751.3471

URGENT EMOTIONAL/MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

• If you are suicidal or do not think you can keep yourself safe right now, contact your Don who can provide SafeTALK Training and connect you with individuals on campus with ASSIST Training. You can also call Here 247 at 1.844.437.3247, call the Special Constables Service at 519.756.8228 x5888, or call 911.

After-Hours Counselling Resources

• Crisis Line (24/7): 519.752.CARE (2273)

• St. Leonard's Community Services: 519.754.0253

• Family Counselling Centre of Brant: 519.753.4173

• Crisis Text Line by Kid's Help Phone: text CONNECT to 686868

  • you can chat confidentially with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue — big or small. Our texting service is available 24/7/365. You don’t need a data plan, Internet connection or an app to use it. Remember, all conversations between young people and volunteer Crisis Responders are confidential.

Be Safe App

Be Safe is an app available on your smart phone that allows you to make a safety plan, connect with resources in your area (non Laurier), give you options for getting help and empower you to reach out safely.

Online Resources

• Big White Wall

• Bounce Back Ontario

• Mind Your Mind

• Good2Talk

• KW Counselling Video Counselling

• CMHA

Club opportunities relating to Mental Health

• Peer Connect is a committee that addresses mental health by promoting a balanced lifestyle for all students.

Mental Health Training and information

• More Feet on the Ground: This online mental health education program teaches you how to recognize, respond to, and refer individuals experiencing mental health issues on Laurier’s campuses.

• You can earn the More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training Certificate after successfully completing the online modules. The certificate is eligible for recognition on the Laurier Experience Record.

COPING WITH A TRAUMATIC EVENT

If you or someone you know is having difficulty coping with a traumatic event please remember there is help and support in our community. Nobody should have to go through it alone. Please reach out.

• Call Here 24/7 at 1.884.Here.24.7 (1.844.437.3247).

• Call Laurier's Special Constable Service at 519.756.8228 x5888.

• Access information about coping with grief and loss.

Indigenous Student Centre

• Located on 111 Darling Street

Supports offered:

• Academics: offering advising, tutor matching, assistance with course selection, peer mentoring, and academic skill development programs. A study lounge available for small group meetings or individual study sessions.

• Research: Borrow a book from the resource library full of Indigenous perspectives on a variety of topics.

• Financial aid: Get help with bursary and scholarship information, reference letters and mailing applications.

• Personal support: They are here for you! Focus on student well-being and cultural identity guidance.

• Cultural programming: Craft workshops, speaker series, moon ceremonies and more.

• Socials: Soup lunches are Tuesdays from noon to 2 p.m. – there’s a hot bowl of soup waiting for you!

• Visiting Elders-in-Residence: Attend an Elder talk or schedule a one-on-one – their knowledge and guidance is invaluable.

• Referrals: If you’re looking for support on or off campus, They can point you in the right direction.

Mental Wellness Support

If you are feeling stressed, whether about your health, finishing the academic term, your family or any other challenges in your life, the Student Wellness Centre has mental wellness services that can help you. Please note that the Student Wellness Centre has updated procedures for connecting with them.

You can also download the My Student Support (My SSP) app to get support any time, day or night, and in your preferred language.

Health Insurance

The services of nurses, counsellors, the registered dietitian, and the mental health student support staff in the Wellness Centre are included in your student services fees, and all Laurier students can access them at no extra charge.

Visits with the doctors are covered by provincial health insurance (e.g. OHIP) for Ontario residents. If you are an international student, your health care is covered by a private insurance company, in most cases the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

Because health care is required in Ontario, those students not covered by OHIP or an alternatively accepted plan must register for the UHIP while studying or working at a participating university or affiliated college in Ontario. UHIP covers your medical needs equal to the coverage offered by the provincial health plan available to Ontario residents. This plan covers costs and services associated with hospital and doctor visits. UHIP is intended to ensure that students receive basic health-care coverage while studying in the province.

The UHIP insurer is Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.

You should carry your UHIP insurance card with you at all times. You must present it at every visit to the Wellness Centre. As an international student, you will be required to pay for your visit up front if you do not provide proof of insurance coverage.

Visit our UHIP information page for more information about UHP enrolment and coverage.

SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN

The Supplementary Health and Dental Insurance Plan extends coverage beyond what is covered by UHIP or OHIP. There is no overlap of coverage between UHIP and supplementary health insurance. Supplementary insurance plans are separate from UHIP.

Supplemental Health and Dental Insurance covers prescriptions, a portion of dental and medical expenses when prescribed by a doctor, and provides travel insurance when outside of Ontario and Canada. Students should automatically be enrolled in Supplementary Health and Dental Insurance Plans as part of their tuition, and can opt out if they have alternative coverage.

If you are an undergraduate student, the supplemental health plan is provided by the Students' Union and if you are a graduate student, it is provided by the Graduate Students' Association. More information about services covered and making a claim are available on the respective pages.

Contacting Laurier International

The university buildings may be closed but Laurier International staff are still available if you need support or have questions. All staff are working remotely during normal office hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During this time you can reach us at:

• Brantford students:

  • Email: lbinternational@wlu.ca

  • Phone: 519.756.8228 x5418

• LEAF students:

  • Email: leaf@wlu.ca

  • Phone: 519.756.8228 x5418

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT

Support and Services

There are dedicated staff members in the Laurier International office that are here just for you. Laurier’s International Student Support (ISS) department has international student advisors and peer mentors to help you learn about and access services on cultural adaption, academic transition and health and well-being. ISS provides the following services free of charge to all international students currently enrolled at Laurier:

• Pre-arrival information.

• Assistance in arranging temporary and permanent accommodations.

• Support for renewing student permits and visas and for applying for work permit.

• Orientation upon arrival.

• Information on your international student health plan (UHIP).

• Academic transition and English language support.

• Support for all international clubs, societies and associations.

• General advising in areas such as health and well-being, cultural adjustment and support for personal problems.

Getting Involved

Visit the International Student Support office and learn more about the programs and activities they organize, including programs like First-Language Tutoring (offered for common first-year courses) and SPEAK (focused on developing presentation and speaking skills). Stay up to date on upcoming events by following Laurier International on Facebook.

Other clubs and activities include:

• Coffee Club: A great opportunity to learn more about Canadian culture and share experiences from your home country in a relaxed and informal setting.

• Global Kitchen: A community kitchen that explores and celebrates culture through food.

• Laurier International Students’ Association: An inclusive and official campus club that provides all international and non-international students with a collective voice at Laurier.

• Drop-In Lunches: Every month during the academic year, Laurier International hosts a free drop-in lunch for new international students.

• International Student Leaders / Peer Mentors: Upper-year international students are paired with incoming international students to provide guidance throughout the school year.

• Laurier International Filmmakers’ Guild: Works to educate the Laurier community about international students by telling their stories through video and photography.

• The Intercultural Students Association of Brantford: A student-led group focused on fostering connectivity and positive relationships between domestic and international students.

• Game Night: Play different games, meet new people and have fun together.

Muslim Students

• Muslim Students' Association: The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) in Brantford is a safer space for Muslim students and students interested in the Muslim faith to connect and interact with Islam. The MSA seeks to empower all students to become informed citizens of the global community and to challenge the Islamophobic narrative of Islam in Western society through various initiatives, events, campaigns, and workshops.

• Brantford Mosque - located on 192 Greenwich St, Brantford. (Provides programming and other religious and cultural supports.)

• Multi-Faith Prayer Space (24 hour access) available in the Carniege building

Roman Catholic Students

• Near by Churches include:

  1. St. Basil's Church - 50 Palace St · (519) 752-0361 · DIRECTIONS

  2. St. Mary's Church -133 Murray St · (519) 753-7316 · DIRECTIONS

  3. St. Joseph Church - 235 Brant Ave · (519) 304-7774 · DIRECTIONS

Hindu Students

• Brantford Hindu Temple - located on 13 Edward Street, Brantford

Sikh Students

• Sikh Association of Brantford - located on 483 Park Rd, Brantford

Anglican/United Students

• Near by Churches include:

  1. St. Andrew's United Church - 95 Darling Street · (519)752-5823 · DIRECTIONS

  2. Grace Anglican Church - 4 Pearl Street · (519)752-6814 · DIRECTIONS

  3. Central Prebyterian Church - 97 Wellington Street · (519)752-4932 · DIRECTIONS

Non Denominational

• Freedom House - located Market Square Mall