RESOURCES AT UOIT/DURHAM COLLEGE AND LOCALLY

There are several 24/7 Telephone Supports:

Good2Talk 1.866.925.5454
Ontario Shores 1.800.263.2679
Connex Ontario Mental Health Helpline  1.866.531.2600
Drug and Alcohol Helpline  1.800.565.8603
Gambling Helpline  1.888.230.3505

REACH: HELPING RECOGNIZE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Mental Health Services recommends that UOIT faculty and staff use the acronym REACH to help students: Recognize warning signs, Engage with them, Assess and Connect them to the Help they need. Knowing that UOIT faculty and staff are trained to help students may help you appreciate how many people there really are who want to help.
Recognize warning signs such as:

• Missing classes, assignments and exams
• Showing significant decline in quality of academic performance or class participation
• Expressing thoughts of despair or harm to self or others (e.g., submitted work or email)
• Displaying extreme disorganization or inappropriate content in written assignments

Visual signs that the student demonstrates:

• Risky behaviour
• Panic or anxious behaviour
• Aggressive behaviour
• Tearfulness or difficulties making eye contact
• A change in appearance or personal hygiene
• Burn marks, cuts or scars

Verbal signs that the student discloses:

• Thoughts of suicide or harm to others
• Worries about coping with life stressors
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness
• Traumatic experiences (e.g., sexual assault or bullying)

Emotional signs the faculty and staff member:

• Has an instinct that something is wrong
• Senses isolation or withdrawal