Supporting Your Student's Health and Wellness

The Student Wellness Centre is the home of medical, emotional, and mental health services and supports for Laurier students.  Our team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, counsellor/psychotherapists, and, on the Waterloo campus, a registered dietitian, registered massage therapists, chiropractors, and physiotherapists.

All registered students have access to our services, and we have offices on the Brantford, Waterloo, and Milton campuses.  Students can access a wide range of services at the Student Wellness Centre, including care for acute illness or injury, immunizations, or health promotion. We also provide support to students who are upset, in distress, or looking for short-term therapy.

As parents and supporters, there are things you can do while your student is still at home to help them be prepared take care of their health and wellness.

While Your Student Is Still At Home

Health Cards

Your student needs a valid health card in order to see a doctor in Ontario.  For Ontario residents, this means that your student should make sure their green OHIP card is not expired, they should bring it with them to school.

If your student is coming to Laurier from out of province, they need to bring their provincial health card with them.  It will be accepted in the SWC and by community clinics, specialists, and at the hospital (there are some exceptions for students from Quebec).

Finally, most international students will be enrolled in the UHIP insurance plan or GuardMe.  They will need to bring proof of coverage to receive medical services in our clinics.

Immunizations

The months ahead of coming to school are a great time to make sure your student is up-to-date on Ontario Public Health's vaccination recommendations.  Visit this page for more information about Laurier's immunization guidelines for incoming students.

Extended Insurance

You can help your student understand that the Undergraduate Health and Dental Plan is an extended insurance plan that helps pay for prescription drugs, vision and dental care, chiropractic and physiotherapy services (including in the SWC), and more.

Don't forget that even if your student opts out of the Undergraduate Health and Dental Plan, they can still use the Student Wellness Centre because our services are for all registered students. 

Also, students who opt out of the student health plans can still use services provided by Empower Me.

Specialist Medical Care

If your student is receiving complex medical care from a specialist or their family doctor, don't discontinue that care when they come to Laurier.  Your student should talk to their doctor before they leave home to make a plan for prescriptions and the continuation of care while they are away.  Once your student arrives at Laurier, they can give us a call to discuss how we can support that plan.

Once Your Student is at Laurier

The team at the Student Wellness Centre is committed to providing excellent support to all students.  We are here when they need us.  As a parent or supporter, we won't be able to discuss your student with you, but you can still remind them about the services we provide encourage them to come and see us when they need support.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The Student Wellness Centre is governed by provincial privacy legislation (the Personal Health Information Protection Act), and we will not discuss your student with you without prior written consent from them.  This includes confirming if a student has registered with us or attended an appointment.  We do not book appointments with third parties, and this includes the parents of students who are under 18.  Please see our Privacy and Confidentiality statement for more information.

If you are worried about your student's physical or mental health, you can support them by reminding them about our services and reminding them to contact us.

If you are concerned that your student is in immediate danger or a risk to their own or someone else's safety, call 911.

Sudden or Acute Illness

Our doctors and nurses are here to care for students when they are sick.  We offer a limited numner of same-day appointments for urgent conditions.  Some examples of issues that would be triaged more urgently include urinary tract infections, symptomatic STIs, fevers, severe sore throats, and severe respiratory illnesses.  Students can drop by or call us to book an appointment with a doctor.  If your student needs medical care when we are closed, they can visit our Urgent and After-Hours Care page to review other options.

Urgent Emotional or Mental Health Concerns

We hold space in our counselling schedule every day for sudden or urgent concerns.  If your student feels upset, distressed, or unable to cope, they can call us or drop by to ask for a same-day counselling appointment. 

There are also many off-campus counselling options that offer same-day support in person and over the phone.