Wellness Services

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a "state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community". Actively pursuing wellness can help to improve your mental health. It is important to consider wellness as a holistic picture, and it can include areas such as spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual/academic and social well-being. To help you work in these areas, Ambrose Wellness Office is striving to provide opportunities for you to participate in enhancing your well-being.

"Mental illnesses are health problems that affect the way we think about ourselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around us. They affect our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Mental illnesses can disrupt a person’s life or create challenges, but with the right supports, a person can get back on a path to recovery and wellness" (Canada Mental Health Association). Mental illnesses are often diagnosed by a psychologist or health care professional and can include things like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and so on. Practicing wellness can help to improve well-being for those living with a mental illness.

While we know it can be unsettling dealing with mental health issues, its important that you know that you are not alone. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience with a mental health problem in any given year. In a survey conducted in 2019 at Ambrose, 63.6% of students felt overwhelming anxiety and 44.4% report feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function. We want to ensure that you feel supported and that you are aware of the options available to you. If you have not already, talk to a family doctor about some of the things you have been experiencing. If you are not presently seeing a therapist, Ambrose has counsellors available throughout the week. We would also recommend you check out the online mental health supports, as well as connecting with a Peer Health Educator for a wellness check-in. If you have an existing diagnosis, or have been noticing that it has been impacting your academic work, we recommend you get in touch with Student Academic Success

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If you notice someone on campus who is struggling with their mental health, we encourage you to connect with them and offer them your support. If you believe they are needing immediate support, please connect with Student Life, a staff member who has training in ASIST or Mental Health First Aid, or call the Distress Centre at 403.266.HELP (4357). Check out Be There by Jack.org for tips on how to offer support to a friend.