An alarming rate of students will struggle with their mental health at some point or another throughout their University career; here are some mental health resources accessible on campus and around Saskatoon.

Many students struggle with mental health, no matter what year of study they’re  in. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29% of students struggle with poor mental health, 22% contemplated suicide and 10% attempted suicide. Because September is Suicide Prevention Month, it is important that we acknowlege and speak about these statistics and educate ourselves on the resources available to us. 

The University of Saskatchewan has many resources specifically for mental health care through the Student Wellness Centre. Located on the third and fourth floor of the Place Riel Student Centre, the Wellness Centre provides access to several types of providers such as counsellors and psychologists, and is where students may seek out general mental health care and ADHD testing. Within this article, however, we will be focusing on crisis-specific resources, both on- and off-campus, for those who may need support urgently. 

On the USask website, there is a suicide prevention, intervention and postvention toolkit for students. This toolkit provides students with resources and guides for those experiencing suicidal thoughts themselves, supporting someone they are close with who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or those coping with the grief of losing someone due to suicide. Talking about mental health can be scary at times, and having a resource like this is essential for guiding students on how to identify warning signs within themselves and others, and work towards accessing the support they need in a healthy and safe format.

The toolkit also guides you to supports like the Student Affairs and Outreach team, which is a team of social workers who provide same-day support to those who need it. Some of their services include immediate support for students, crisis response, educational programming and consultations with faculty, staff, community members and other students who may be concerned about another student. They are located on the third floor of Place Riel Student Center. You can book an appointment on their website or by calling +1 (306) 966 5757. However, if you or another person is in imminent risk, the nearby Royal University Hospital or Protective Services (reachable at +1 (306) 966 5555) might be able to respond more promptly and provide adequate attention.

Some other relevant supports that Saskatoon residents can access but aren’t connected to campus are, followed by their phone numbers: 

The Saskatoon mobile crisis line, +1 (306) 933-6200

The Saskatoon sexual assault crisis line, +1 (306) 244-2224 

Talk Suicide Canada, 9-8-8

Hope for Wellness Help Line, which provides assistance for Indigenous People in Canada, +1 (855) 242 3310. 

You’re not alone. Most individuals will struggle, or know someone who struggles with mental health at some point in their life. Even if you don’t think anyone cares, there are people out there who are more than willing to listen to you and want to help. Being open about mental health and opening the floor to difficult conversations is the only way for us to combat mental health stigmas. Never hesitate to reach out to a friend, family member or one of these resources during difficult times, because everyone needs to get support and feel heard sometimes.