The Online Therapy Unit is open and is not currently experiencing service delays related to COVID-19. For a few mental health tips related to COVID-19 click here.
The UniWellbeing Course aims to provide free education and guidance on simple but effective techniques for managing depression and/or anxiety for post-secondary students in Saskatchewan. The Course helps students with thoughts, behaviours, and physical symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Both courses include techniques for managing anxiety and depression. The UniWellbeing Course was developed based on student feedback, and includes material that is relevant to students’ experiences. The UniWellbeing Course is also shorter (5 weeks) than the Wellbeing Course (8 weeks), which might be a better fit for a students’ schedule.
If you have questions about whether you should apply for the Wellbeing Course or UniWellbeing Course, you can contact the project coordinator for the UniWellbeing Course, Vanessa Peynenburg, at vanessa.peynenburg@uregina.ca
The UniWellbeing Course is a modified version of an existing Course which was developed in Australia by the eCentreClinic. Many people who have depression and anxiety never seek treatment, but do have access to the Internet. The course was designed in response to the widespread need for access to mental health treatment. Because depression and anxiety commonly occur among those with neurological conditions, information is provided on both conditions.
The UniWellbeing Course is made up of 4 easy to understand lessons and takes 5 weeks to complete. Lessons consist of educational materials that are accessed online and are based on cognitive behavioural therapy. Clients are encouraged to work on various activities during the week; this often takes several hours. Throughout the course, clients will receive support and guidance in the form of emails from their designated online therapists.
The UniWellbeing Course is therapist-assisted. This means that during the week clients can send questions or comments to their designated therapist though a secure message system. On a set day each, the therapist checks the website, reviews client progress on the course and responds to messages. Most contact with the therapist is through secure emails, but sometimes therapists contact clients by phone.
In this course, clients are assigned based on availability, to either a therapist working in a community clinic in Saskatchewan or a therapist working directly in the Online Therapy Unit. Some therapists have fully completed their training while others are graduate students under supervision. Most therapists are trained in psychology, social work or nursing.
This project is being completed as part of a PhD research study conducted by Vanessa Peynenburg under the supervision of Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos, Professor of Psychology.
All clients will complete brief questionnaires before they begin, on a weekly basis throughout the course, and then again 1 and 3 months after treatment ends. These questionnaires help us assess how you are doing. These questionnaires do not take very long but provide us with important information on your progress and the outcomes of the course.
The course is designed for those who have symptoms of depression or anxiety, are attending college/university in Saskatchewan, are 18 years of age or older, are comfortable using and have access to the Internet, and have a local medical contact available in case of emergencies. The course is not recommended if you have severe problems with alcohol or drugs, mania, psychosis, or strong thoughts of suicide. If any of the above would indicate that Online Therapy is not suited to your needs, please refer to the resource page and speak with your family doctor about other service options. Please note this course will only be available to students attending a post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan.
Please do not hesitate to contact the project coordinator, Vanessa Peynenburg, if you have any questions! She can be reached at Vanessa.Peynenburg@uregina.ca. You can also call the Online Therapy Unit at 306-337-3331 or email the Unit at online.therapy.user@uregina.ca.
The UniWellbeing Course is now accepting applications. Please click the link below to complete the online application.