Wellbeing for Post-Secondary Students (UniWellbeing)

The Wellbeing Course for Post-Secondary Students (UniWellbeing) aims to provide free education and guidance on simple but effective cognitive behavioural 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.

Answers

What options are available for students

College/university students can choose from one of the following course options:

• Wellbeing Course for Students (Fast-Track): In the Fast-Track course, you will have one core lesson, and then you will pick from additional resources on other topics as you like over the 5 week period. You can review as much or as little as you like over the 5 weeks. The Fast-Track course focuses on examples related to experiences of students.
• Wellbeing Course for Students (5 weeks): In the 5 week course, you will have 4 core lessons that will be shared over 5 weeks. You can also access optional additional resources on other topics, as you like over 5 weeks. The Wellbeing Course for Students focuses on examples related to experiences of students.
• Wellbeing Course (8 weeks): In the 8 week course, you will have 5 core lessons slowly released over 8 weeks. You can also access optional additional resources on other topics, as you like over 8 weeks. The Wellbeing Course focuses on examples related to a wide variety of experiences and has not been tailored specifically for students.

Additional details about the three course options will be provided during your telephone screening with one of the Online Therapy Unit staff.

Why was this Course developed?

Many students with anxiety and depression do not seek treatment but do have access to the Internet. The different courses that we provide give students the chance to choose which option they think will be the best fit for their needs and schedule.

What is involved in the courses?

Each of the three course options consist of online lessons that include educational materials based on cognitive behaviour therapy. Clients are encouraged to work on various activities during the week, which can take a couple hours per week. Throughout the course, clients will receive automated emails with important reminders and prompts.

What support is available from therapists?

Clients will be assigned to a therapist for the duration of the course. During the week, clients can send questions or comments to their designated therapist through a secure message system. On a set day each week, the therapist checks the website, reviews client progress on the course and responds to messages. Most contact with the therapist is through secure messages, but sometimes therapists contact clients by phone.

Who provides therapist assistance?

Clients are assigned based on availability, to either a therapist working directly in the Online Therapy Unit or a therapist working in a community clinic in Saskatchewan. Some therapists have fully completed their training while others are graduate students under supervision. Most therapists are trained in psychology or social work.

What research is being done on this course?

We are always conducting research in order to continually improve online therapy for students. When you sign up for one of the courses, you will be provided with details of the research we are conducting.

How will my progress be monitored?

All clients will complete brief questionnaires before they begin, on a weekly basis throughout the course, at the end of the course, and again 16 weeks after the course starts. These questionnaires help us assess how you are doing. The questionnaires do not take very long but provide us with important information on your progress and the outcomes of the course.

Who can take part in 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, and are comfortable using and have access to the Internet. 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 is only available to students attending college or university in Saskatchewan.

Who can answer my questions about the course?

If you have any questions about the course, you can call the Online Therapy Unit at 306-337-3331 or email the Unit at online.therapy.user@uregina.ca

How do I sign up?

If you are interested in applying for the course, please click the link below to complete the online application.