A quick overview of all the health and wellness resources that are available to USask 

students, and how or where to access them.

University can be a stressful experience, and it is important to keep your physical health and well-being  in mind throughout the semester. Fortunately, the USask student healthcare plan and various services provided on campus are available to help students navigate wellness. Here’s a look at the services you can access as part of the USask community.

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) have partnered with Studentcare, an insurance provider, to provide undergraduate students with health and dental coverage. This plan also includes counselling services provided by Empower Me through Studentcare.

Some students will be automatically enrolled in these plans, in which case the cost of coverage will be included in their student fees. Others may need to enroll in the plan. You can check your tuition statement to see if the plan fees automatically apply to you, and if not, you can enroll by paying the fee. 

For more information about these plans and how to access healthcare in Saskatchewan, you can visit the university’s website. The website lists further resources regarding wellness sessions and workshops, mindfulness practices and self-care that students can access.

The USask campus has multiple services available for students to take advantage of through the Student Wellness Centre, located on the fourth floor of the Place Riel Student Centre. Physician services provided by the centre include general medical and mental health care, pre- and postnatal care, referrals to specialists and Access and Equity Services (AES), ADHD screening and treatment, sexual health care, transgender health care and more. 

In addition to many providers and resources for physical and mental health, the Student Wellness Centre offers physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage therapy services. Appointments are available in person, virtually, or over the phone, and can be booked by visiting the Student Wellness Centre or by calling 306-966-5768.

The other floors of the Place Riel Student Centre boast further services for USask students. On the main floor, you will find The Medicine Shoppe pharmacy, which offers essentials like health and beauty products, prescriptions and cold and flu remedies. Downstairs in Lower Place Riel are the Campus Dentist and Campus Vision Centre, which accept appointments from the USask community booked online or by phone.

Exercise can also be crucial to a healthy lifestyle and can help to offset the stress of university. All USask students have access to the Fit Centre at the Physical Activity Complex (PAC). Here, students can participate in fitness classes and personal or group training, take advantage of the state-of-the-art gym and have the opportunity to try out the climbing wall, the pool and other amazing facilities. And best of all, they are all completely free for undergraduate and graduate students alike to take part in!

USask students can also make new friends, have fun and get some exercise by participating in one of the campus’ many recreational sports. Campus rec offers everything from learn-to sessions and clubs to intramural sports leagues (which have both competitive and recreational options, as well as different leagues that are only for women, only for men, or co-ed). This could be a great opportunity to stay active, try a new skill or take a breather after a long day of studying.

Another incredible resource to help students manage their well-being is USask Peer Health, a student group dedicated to tackling issues and awareness of student health. Peer Health is located in Marquis Hall near the campus bookstore and offers drop-in support sessions with trained student volunteers. Peer Health runs many different clubs, support groups and initiatives throughout the term, providing students with many opportunities to connect with others and learn more about their health and well-being.

As university students, it is of the utmost importance to ensure we are taking care of our mental and physical health. The counselling services and Peer Listener Support offered on the USask campus are a great place to begin addressing mental health concerns like anxiety. Additionally, you can take advantage of some great options available online or through apps. Other practices, such as mindfulness, can also be beneficial when managing stress and other mental health issues.

As you embark on your university career, do not forget to take advantage of all of these incredible resources at your disposal. It is important to remember that our overall health and well-being matter too – not just our grades.