Support during times of uncertainty

The regular and ever-changing news about COVID-19 can leave many of us feeling worried and unsure. Support is available to help you cope with stress and isolation during this time of uncertainty.

Counselling support 

Your mental health is important. Student Development and Counselling is available for support by phone or online, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Current students can contact 'Student Development and Counselling' through Teams, which is the quickest way to reach someone. You can also email counselling@sait.ca or call 403.284.7023 and leave a message.

Students can also reach out directly to community resources for support, including:

• Calgary Distress Centre 
  Chat and text support available 24/7
  Contact:  403.266.HELP (4357)
  
• Community Resource Team 
  Chat and text support available 24/7
  Contact:  403.299.9699
• Family Violence Info Line 
  Call toll-free 24/7
  Contact: 403.310.1818
• Alberta 211 Community and Social Services Help Line
  Support available 24/7
  Contact: 211

Spiritual support

Interfaith Centre chaplains and staff are available for students seeking spiritual support during this time. Contact us Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm by email at student.engagement@sait.ca or contact a chaplain. 

Online support

Social distancing and self-isolation can be an opportunity for self-care. Use this time to step back from the fast pace of life and establish healthy online connections and coping tools. There are a variety of self-help resources available online. 

Untangle life's stresses and challenges with TAO 

Get free, unlimited access to videos and skill-building exercises from your phone, tablet or desktop. Sign up with your SAIT email address. 

👉 Check this out: Try a personal wellness course through TAO. Topics include managing uncertainty, relaxation, and worry less. 

Build your resilience with headversity app

Use the app to develop skills — self-expertise, mindfulness, mental fitness, mental health, hardiness, energy management — and tools to thrive during times of adversity. Learn more, download the app and request the passcode.

Resilience 101: Tools for Lasting Success 

Register for Resilience 101 online by emailing resilience.101@sait.ca.  

Ideas for healthy coping

Establish meaningful connections

Shift from texting to voice or video calling to feel more connected to others.

Set boundaries for yourself

Limit the time you spend looking at news to an hour a day. 

Replace fear with facts

Make use of credible news sources and avoid panic and misinformation.

Look forward to the future

Humans have an incredible capacity to adapt and bounce back in difficult times.

Connect with nature

Getting outside has a number of benefits.

🚶 Exercise in fresh air will make you feel better and contribute to keeping your immune system healthy. 

🍃 Looking at nature can remind you of all that is alive and well. At this season, birds are starting to sing and some are getting ready to nest. Watching this can be comforting, uplifting or at least pleasantly distracting.

Directly address your worry and anxiety

There are several helpful strategies for this. Try writing down your thoughts when you find yourself ruminating or obsessing. Go back through them and note which seem like beliefs vs. facts. Ask yourself if the thought is helpful or unhelpful.

Take a break and calm your mind

Practicing mindfulness can help improve memory and reduce negative emotions.

Explore mindfulness practices with TAO or try incorporating a mindfulness podcast or app into your life.

👉 Check this out: Make a moment mindful with these tips from SAIT’s Student Development and Counselling team.

📅 Tune in to Mindful Moments weekly and learn to integrate mindfulness into your daily life.

Establish a daily routine

Try to make the unpredictable feel more manageable and in your control by establishing a daily routine. Make self-care a priority.

We've got you covered

Review a list of additional student supports available.