Mental Health Service Empower Me Comes to Queen’s

Starting September 1, 2019, all students at Queen’s University will have access to Empower Me, a holistic mental health and wellness service that seeks to enhance the resilience of the student community by supplementing existing on-campus resources.

As part of their ongoing commitment to support the mental health of students, the Alma Mater Society (AMS) has partnered with the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) and University administration to bring Empower Me to Queen’s. It has already been successfully implemented at several other universities and colleges across Canada.

“This will be a game changer for mental health resources at Queen’s,” AMS President Auston Pierce said. “By working with our partners in the SGPS and StudentCare, and with the generous financial support of the University, we have been able to secure another means for students to get the support they need.”

“Empower Me is not meant to replace the existing support services on campus, but rather to break down any remaining barriers to care,” he said. “It will provide students with more opportunities to connect with mental health supports in a timely and financially accessible manner.”

This confidential counselling service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in several different languages. Students will be able to speak to a counsellor in-person, by telephone, by secure video connection, or through an online messaging platform. The counselling provided through Empower Me aims to be culturally sensitive and inclusive of all faiths and genders.

“Improving access to mental health services has been a top priority for student leaders at Queen’s for a long time,” Pierce said. “As wait times at Student Wellness Services remain a substantial concern, it is more important than ever that we utilize modern systems to fill any gaps that might exist, and that is exactly what we are doing.”

Students are also encouraged to make use of the AMS Peer Support Centre, open throughout the year from 10am to 10pm in JDUC Rooms 34 and 26.

 

Please direct all media inquiries to Brendan Robson, AMS Director of Communications, at or (613) 533-6000 x 75850