As UBC prepares to welcome students back to campus this September, the university is taking extra care to keep them safe and in good health.
From embedded mental health counsellors to extended physician hours and a new nurse practitioner, UBC has expanded its health and wellbeing services to help ease the transition for students.
Building on the developments of the last year, student health services will continue to be offered both in person and virtually, giving students more choice and better meeting their needs.
“After more than a year of remote learning, we recognize that many students could experience a range of challenges to their health and wellbeing, from fears of COVID-19 to anxiety about re-establishing social connections and transitioning back to in-person learning,” says UBC’s Vice-President, Students, Dr. Ainsley Carry. “By expanding health and wellbeing services, we hope to support our students in maintaining positive physical and mental health.”
A new face ready to welcome students to campus is Noorjean Hassam, who has been appointed to the newly created role of chief student health officer. She will oversee health services and wellbeing programming for students on the Vancouver campus, as well as implementing health-related strategies in UBC’s strategic plans, including the Indigenous Strategic Plan, the Wellbeing Strategic Framework and the Inclusion Action Plan.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming students to campus and helping connect them with the wide range of supports available for their physical and mental health and wellbeing,” she says. “This last year has brought social and racial injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health. It’s vital that we actively work toward anti-racism and cultural safety and humility in our health and wellbeing programming.”
Please visit the UBC News site to read how UBC is continuing to provide key resources to students on campus.
Through Strategy 15: Student Experience, UBC is heightening efforts to ensure the provision of wellbeing, physical and mental health resources for all students in the university community.