Health and Wellness
Students often juggle multiple demands and we recognize that it can be difficult to find balance. For any changes you want to make to your health and wellness, the Health and Wellness office at the University of Manitoba would like to support you in your journey.
We are here to help you take control of your own health and make your own decisions. We are a judgment-free space and we avoid labels whenever possible.
Who we are
Associate Director, Wellness and Prevention
Arlana Vadnais (B.A., M.A., she/her) has a background in sociology, counselling and psychology and is the Associate Director, Wellness and Prevention within the Student Counselling & Wellness unit. Her role is to provide leadership in the area of holistic wellness promotion and illness prevention with the aim of promoting a campus climate that prioritizes equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism and supports a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Email: Arlana.vadnais@umanitoba.ca
Coordinator, Student Health and Wellness Education
Bryanna Barker is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and the Coordinator, Student Health and Wellness Education at the University of Manitoba. Bryanna is available to provide health and wellness information and guidance to students individually or to interested groups on campus. For any questions, concerns or health and wellness needs please contact:
Email healthandwellness@umanitoba.ca or phone 204-295-9032
Also, check the SCC website for a listing of off campus supports including Console – a brief counselling support service purchased by the University of Manitoba Student Union which is available 24 hours/7 days week (1-844-741-6389).
The University has a take-home naloxone program. Please contact Bryanna Barker to learn about how to obtain a free naloxone kit.
Health and wellness program assistant
The Health and Wellness Program Assistant (HWPA) assists in the day-to-day function of Health and Wellness, as well as supports the Healthy U program. Contact the HWPA if you have questions or would like information on any Health and Wellness or Healthy U programs offered.
Email hwprogram.assistant@umanitoba.ca or phone 204-474-6740
Student Wellness Centre Assistant
The Student Wellness Centre Assistant (SWCA) assists in the day-to-day function of Health and Wellness, as well as supports the Student Wellness Centre. Contact the SWCA if you have questions or would like information on any Health and Wellness or Student Wellness Centre programs offered.
Email healthandwellness@umanitoba.ca or phone 204-474-6740
Student Wellness Centre
We know that supporting student’s health and wellbeing contributes significantly to academic success.
What to Expect
The Student Wellness Centre will be open on a drop-in basis and will provide an opportunity for students with an interest in health and wellness to connect with each other. Health and wellness professionals and trained peer educators will be available for consultation and support (on a drop in and appointment basis) and the space will also host health and wellness preventive and promotional initiatives.
Students are invited to visit the lounge area to rest, recharge, connect, and learn.
Services
• Peer education and support
• professional consultations
• referrals and service navigation
• a calm space
• a wellness resource library
• harm reduction education
• free safer sex supply distribution
Office Information and Hours
162 Extended Education Building Fort Garry Campus (with the expectation to open up pop up locations at our Bannatyne and William Norrie campuses)
Monday | 10:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. (closed from 12 - 1 P.M.)
Tuesday | 9:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. (closed from 12:30 - 1 P.M.)
Wednesday | 10:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. (closed from 12:30 - 1 P.M.)
Thursday | 9:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. (closed from 12:30 - 1 P.M.)
Friday | 10:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Background
UM was one of 10 successful applicants to receive $100,000 in funding from Bell Let’s Talk for our project “Student Wellness Centre” – a resource hub for a range of harm reduction and mental health and wellness services, including professional consultation and peer support.
The SWC is an inclusive space for students to learn skills to actively engage in and maintain their wellbeing throughout their time in university. This space will work to increase awareness of UM’s existing wellness services as well as enhance current Health and Wellness and Healthy U supports. Moving ahead with the student-led request for an inclusive space to connect, learn, grow, and enhance mental health and wellbeing, the SWC will utilize a best practice peer health education model and consider a stepped care and holistic health approach.
Aligning with both the Post-Secondary Standard for Student Mental Health and the UM’s commitment to improving its mental health services, the SWC is dedicated to fostering community-building and engagement in varied wellness practices.
University of Manitoba Student Survey Report
Overview
The University of Manitoba participates in national surveys of student health and wellbeing on a periodic basis. These surveys are coordinated by the Health and Wellness office and provide valuable information about the needs of our students and how we may develop the most effective programming to support student success. Results from these surveys are available below. Please contact the Coordinator, Student Health and Wellness Education if you wish to review further data.
Canadian Postsecondary Education Alcohol and Drug Use Survey
The Canadian Postsecondary Education Alcohol and Drug Use Survey (CPADS) is organized and administered nationally by Health Canada. The CPADS provides data from about 40 Canadian institutions that describes trends in substance use among postsecondary students in Canada.
The following summary describes key results obtained from the University of Manitoba’s participation in the first pan-Canadian cycle of the CPADS conducted during the 2019/2020 school year.
Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey
The Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS), a health and wellbeing assessment tool for Canadian campuses, is organized and administered by the University of British Columbia. The CCWS assesses the mental health and wellbeing of postsecondary students and helps to identify priorities for intervention at an institutional level.
The following infographics provide summary data on the Spring 2023 CCWS administration at the University of Manitoba
National College Health Assessment
The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) is offered on a three-year cycle to approximately 50 Canadian postsecondary institutions. The NCHA provides summary data on a range of student physical, mental, and behavioral health indicators.
Please click on the links below for results from past NCHA administrations at the University of Manitoba.
Resources
Contact us
Health and Wellness
Room 469 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellor’s Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2