MSU SPARK & MSU HORIZONS RESOURCES 2020 / 2021
R esour ce Guidebook University is a great opportunity for first year students to make new friends, establish connections with their faculty, and become familiar with the McMaster and Hamilton communities. Although things
may look differently this year, there are still so many great support services and resources you can access virtually to help you through your university experience and make it the best it can possibly be!
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Hiring First Years
Diversity Services MSU Diversity Services exists to celebrate and unite, as well as advocate for BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities within the realm of race, ethnicity, culture, faith. Our focus is on uplifting and centering the experiences of folks of colour in events, campaigns, and initiatives. We also aim to provide a space where folks can feel saf(er) and build community with others. Recognizing the state of inequity on campus, our service acts to advocate for an inclusive environment in which groups feel welcome and free to embrace their identity. msumcmaster.ca/diversity diversity@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x26603
Student Assistance Plan (SAP)
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PLAN
This program available to all students, their family mambers and roommates. Confidential psychological counselling services are offered by phone to a 24/7 year-round toll free call-centre. The program offers professional counsellors speaking 180 different languages and dialects. Counselling support is then received by in-person counselling, online chat, video or telephone. SAP also has academic-life services including legal consultation, financial consultation, life coaching, nutrition consultation and resources covering topics such as parenting and everyday life. realcampus.ca/mcmaster wespeakstudent.com/home/8-mcmaster-university 647-494-8383 (text) | 1-877-390-7325 (call)
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Student Accessibility Services provides academic accommodation assistance and related supports to students at McMaster. This service aims to assist all students at McMaster. Visit them in MUSC room B107. It is possible to obtain temporary accommodations without medical documentation through an intake appointment. However, long-term accommodations must be supported with medical documentation. sas.mcmaster.ca sas@mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x28652
Instagram: sasmacu
Student Success Centre (SSC) The Student Success Centre aims to engage students in diverse learning opportunities to support their academic, personal, and professional growth. The SCC offers a variety of academic support services including writing and tutoring services, as well as professional development services, international student services, career services, and financial management resources. Visit the SCC in Gilmore Hall room 110. studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca studentsuccess@mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x24254 | Instagram: macssc
E FRT Emergency First Response Team A group of approximately 30 student volunteers who provide emergency medical services to the McMaster campus, with an average response time of 2-3 minutes. All responders are certified Emergency Medical Responders and have Mental Health First Aid Training. If EFRT is called, a team of responders will be dispatched to your location through Campus Security. EFRT is a completely confidential service and can be contacted by dealing “88” from any campus phone, directly colliding a McMaster Security Dispatcher at 905-522-4135, using the McMaster University Security Service and Transportation app available for download on your smart phone, or by visiting the EFRT office located in MUSC room 103. EFRT is available 24/7 throughout the academic year except Thanksgiving, Easter, the winter break, and both Reading Weeks. msumcmaster.ca/efrt efrt@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.522.4135 or 88 from any campus phone Instagram: EFRT_MSU
The Student Health Education Centre (SH EC) The MSU’s Student Health Education Centre (SHEC) offers a variety of free, anonymous health services for McMaster students. This includes peer support, personal health and safe(r) sex items, pregnancy tests, and much more! SHEC has always strived to create a space that’s welcoming, comforting, and accessible for all, and we are dedicated to continuing to do so throughout the online semester. Stay tuned to our social media channels to learn how SHEC will be offering folks the chance to chat with a peer support volunteer or order resources online starting this fall. msumcmaster.ca/shec shec@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x22041 | Instagram: msu_shec
Student Wellness Centre (SWC) This is a place on campus to address physical and mental wellness needs. The Student Wellness Centre (PGCLL 210/201) provides a wide range of Counselling Options, Medical Services and Wellness Education resources. Both the Student Wellness Centre and SWELL hope to enhance student wellness. wellness.mcmaster.ca 905.546.0805 905.525.9140 x27700 Instagram: mcmasterswc
Hiring First Years
MACCE SS MSU Maccess is a peer support, advocacy, and community centre run by and for disabled students at McMaster. Maccess community members and volunteers have lived experiences with (or identify as) any of the following: disability/disabled; chronic illness; madness, mental health concerns, or mental illness; neurodivergence; learning disabilities; d/Deaf or hard of hearing; sensory impairment; navigating inaccessibility or accessing accommodations; or other experiences that are a part of the larger Disability Justice movement. msumcmaster.ca/maccess maccess@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x26575 Instagram: msu_maccess
Women & Gender Equity Network (WG E N) The Women and Gender Equity Network (WGEN) is a peer-support driven service that offers a safe(r) space for anyone who identifies as a womxn, trans*, outside of the gender binary and gender non-conforming, and all survivors of gender-based and sexual violence. WGEN operates in three main areas: offering peer support through drop-in hours with Safe(r) Space Volunteers from Monday to Friday and after-hours support groups; offering free resources such as books, gender-affirming gear, and menstrual products; and creating both educational and social programming for our community! All of those operations will be shifted online this year, from a virtual Zoom safe(r) space to an anonymous, socially distanced resource request service. msumcmaster.ca/wgen wgen@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x20265 Instagram: msu_wgen
Pride Community Centre (PCC) The Pride Community Centre (PCC) is an MSU peer support service run by 2STLGBQIA+ students, for 2STLGBQIA+ students which prioritizes the experiences and voices of BIPoC and disabled 2STLGBQIA+ folks in all aspects of our service. We aim to educate the McMaster community by continually working towards the goal of a campus free from prejudice and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We offer confidential online peer support, online identity-specific community groups, events and campaigns such as Mac Pride Week and 2STLGBQIA+ History Week, as well as access to important resources! We also offer a NEW mentorship program known as the Pride Student Network which serves to foster connection and a sense of community by pairing up 2STLGBQIA+ upper years with incoming 2STLGBQIA+ first years to help guide them through the entirety of their first year at McMaster! Email: pride@msu.mcmaster.ca Facebook: MSU Pride Community Centre – PCC Instagram: msu_pride
s u p m a Off -eCsour ces R Canadian Mental Health Association (CM HA) The Canadian Mental Health Association is dedicated to promoting the mental health of all people and ensuring the provision of the best possible mental health services. The CMA has a Hamilton branch located at 131 John Street South, which provides a number services to adults experiencing mental illness including a health care clinic, mental health support, and mental health promotion and resilience. www.cmha.ca 416.646.5557
Post-Secondary Student Helpline GOOD2TALK A branch of Kids Help Phone, this is a new toll-free, post-secondary student mental health helpline. Free, bilingual and confidential, this service offers professional counselling, information and referrals in Ontario 24/7/365. Students can call for support on a wide range of topics including mental health, substance abuse, addictions and suicidal ideation, to other factors that can impact post-secondary student success and well-being, such as academic stress, personal or family relationships, residence life, financial concerns and feelings of loneliness. Call: 1-866-952-5454 or by dialling 2-1-1 from anywhere in Ontario. text: GOOD2TALKON @ 686868
LG BTQ YOUTH LIN E The LGBTQ Youth Line aims to provide services for youth by youth, that affirm the experiences and aspirations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, 2-spirt, queer, and questioning youth in Ontario. Through telephone, texting, and the internet, the LGBTQ Youth Line provides informational resources, emergency/crisis services, confidential peer support, leadership opportunities and referrals. youthline.ca Call: 1.800.268.9688 Text: 647.694.4275
SACHA Sexual Assault Centre Located in Hamilton, SACHA is a feminist, non-profit, community-based organization guided by anti-racist and anti-oppressive values. SACHA provides services to people who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives, while also working towards the end of violence, oppression, and the equitable inclusion of all women through education, advocacy, activism, and community partnerships. sacha.ca 24/7, free confidential support line: 905.525.4162
ST. JOSE PH ’S H EALTHCARE HAMILTON COAST YOUTH Crisis Outreach and Support Team A program supported by St. Joesph’s Healthcare Hamilton that provides emergency mental health and addiction services to members of the Hamilton community. COAST works with a multidisciplinary team including youth crisis workers, mental health workers, social workers, and police officers to help individuals overcome mental health crises. COAST offers telephone support 24/7. 905.972.8338
YOUTH WE LLN E SS CE NTRE St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Located on the 2nd floor of 38 James Street South, the Youth Wellness Centre provides a safe environment for people ages 17-25 to receive expert care for mental health and addictions. stjoes.ca/hospital-services/mental-health-addiction-services/mentalhealth-services/youth-wellness-centre 905.552.1155 x31725
M E NTAL H EALTH H E LPLIN E A free and confidential helpline that listens, offers support, provides goalplanning strategies. They also offer education on mental illness and provide information about counselling services in the local community. Free mental health service is available by calling them. mentalhealthhelpline.ca 1.866.531.2600
CONTACT US We are here to help Feel free to reach out to us on social media for any questions. we would be more than happy to help you!
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