Mental Health Facts

About 1 in 3 Canadians will be affected by a mental illness during their lifetime

In 2016–17, 1 in 7 Canadians used health services for a mental illness.

Between 2000-16, the number of people 19 and under accessing mental illness-related services has rose 2.6% per year

*stats courtesy of the Government of Canada

Uncovering the truth about mental health

Too often, people wait to act until they are in crisis before getting help. Let’s change that and encourage those around us, including ourselves, to be proactive in supporting our mental health.

What will you do this week to support your mental health?

Awareness

World Mental Health day

World Mental Health Day is being held on October 10 and is an opportunity for people and communities to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Heal Awareness Week, held October 1-7, is Canada's national campaign aimed at enhancing awareness of mental illnesses, reducing related stigmas, and illuminating the real experiences of those affected.

This year's theme is Awareness, Access, and Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Care in Canada.

USask Resources and Supports

Usask offers the following resourse, at no cost, to employees and their families.

Telus Health (formerly Lifeworks), our Employee and Family Assistance Program provider, offers a variety of services including 24/7 confidential support – available by phone, online or through the Telus Health One app (available in the Google Play or AppStore ). Other services include digital health coaching, family, legal, financial, fitness and nutrition support services. 

Sun Life’s Lumino Health Virtual Care, provides virtual “walk-in” service to connect faculty and staff, and their dependents, with local medical professionals, including nurses, doctors, mental health practitioners and others from the comfort and safety of their own home for physical and mental health-related ailments.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an online, short-term form of therapy that helps you develop strategies and skills to help change your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs related to emotional and behavioral issues that may be causing you difficulty.

USask's comprehensive benefit plans offers support for mental and physical health. Check out what you have access to under your benefits plan.

The Working Mind is an evidence-based program designed to promote mental health and reduce the stigma in the workplace. This online training will help participants support the mental health and well-being of employees and ensure that the workplace is respectful and inclusive of all employees, including those with mental health problems and mental illness. Several Working Mind sessions will be held throughout the fall with specific courses geared toward employees and people leaders.

Mindfulness is a tool that can be used to learn to build resiliency and to manage stress in your daily life. Mindful Mornings sessions allow USask employees to start and end their week with drop-in guided mindfulness practices and information on Friday mornings. Both sessions are drop-in and offered online so employees can attend from wherever and whenever they are able. No registration is required.

Join online yoga nidra class every Monday 4-5 pm from the comfort of your home! No registration is necessary. Yoga Nidra is a sleep-based guided meditation that uses a series of breath, body and awareness techniques to optimize physical restoration and create a different relationship with stress-producing thoughts and emotions.

Events