Contact FAUW
Main office: Temporarily closed.
Email: fauw@uwaterloo.ca
More: Staff directory
Mailing address
Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
There are a number of resources available to support faculty mental health, whether you need help now or want to take preventative measures. To determine which resource is the best fit for your situation, see the "who to talk to" section of this page, or contact us.
Conversations with Occupational Health are confidential. You don't need to disclose your situation to your department.
You are entitled to a leave of absence, should you need one. You are also entitled to your 180 days of sick leave.
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides support for short-term, goal-based concerns, through in-person, online, and phone appointments. The program also offers preventative resources. They do not provide support for chronic, long-term issues. Your family members can also access this program!
Our benefits don’t apply to all types of therapy and practitioners. You can claim treatments by psychologists, and by counsellors who are registered social workers with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Psychotherapy, for example, is not covered.
Counselling Services is a student service. Faculty in distress should contact Grand River Hospital, Homewood Health, or 911.
Human Resources’ employee Pension & Benefits Booklet (download from the HR Benefits web page)
Our Leaves page and blog posts on leaves
Campus Wellness' Thrive Week and related resources
Remember that you have options if your situation is impacting your ability to work, including therapy, accommodations, and leaves.
Seek help: Talk to someone who can help you navigate the situation, whether that's a therapist, FAUW, Occupational Health, or a trusted friend or colleague. You don't have to do this alone.
Take preventative measures to protect your wellbeing at work. We often tell people to be their own health advocates; the same goes for mental health and wellbeing. But unlike many health conditions, we have ample evidence for changes we can make in our daily lives that can have an immediate impact on our mental health.
Proactive measures: Meditation and physical activity—even 10 minutes a day—can make a significant difference.
Protective measures: Try not to get caught up in comparing yourself to others; collegial, friendly relationships at work lead to job satisfaction.
Homewood Health’s Homeweb, an extensive library of resources and articles on everything from fitness and career development to parenting and family finances.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, an online resource from the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace.
“Promoting Supportive Academic Environments for Faculty with Mental Illnesses: Resource Guide and Suggestions for Practice” from Temple University.
The Okanagan Charter is an international charter that calls upon post-secondary institutions to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally. The Charter was an important framing document for the work of the President's Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health (PAC-SMH).
1.800.663.1142 (English)
1.866.398.9505 (French)
1.888.384.1152 (TTY)
Online support and resources
For emergency room services: Grand River Hospital
For other supports: Here 24/7
Web: here247.ca
Phone: 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247)
TTY: 1-877-688-5501
Main office: Temporarily closed.
Email: fauw@uwaterloo.ca
More: Staff directory
Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1