Supporting each other through challenging times

Global events continue to have a significant impact on many members of the TMU community, and emotions and tensions may be running high. The university would like to remind everyone that the TMU community thrives when we respect and protect the fundamental human rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled, even amid differing political ideologies and perspectives.

Creating a space for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of ideas goes hand in hand with creating a safer physical environment for all community members. The university remains committed to taking a proactive approach to safety and security on campus to respond to the complex needs of our community.

When community-led events take place on campus the university expects that TMU students, faculty, staff and their guests express their views and conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect, civility - and ideally empathy - in keeping with the university's values, and in ways that are free from discrimination, racism or hatred.

There are policies and procedures in place to ensure that all events are well managed and have plans to ensure that they are safe. Community members are reminded that they need to comply with space and event booking procedures should they want to arrange non-academic programming on campus.

We must reflect on how we can support one another through our individual and collective challenges, and to make space for support, insight and understanding.

Resources and support available to community members

Community members seeking support in managing their well-being are encouraged to access the many supports available to them:

• Students can access well-being services and support, including individual counselling support and/or individual peer support hosted by Student Wellbeing.
• Students can access Good2Talk (external link) , a free, confidential mental health support service for all post-secondary students in Ontario, available 24/7/365. Access support by calling 1-866-925-5454 or by texting "GOOD2TALKON" to 686868.
• Student Care offers support to students navigating a variety of complex factors while they study, including financial, academic, physical and mental health challenges. Students are encouraged to connect with them at [email protected].
• Faculty and staff members can access support, including culturally specific, individual counselling, through TMU's Employee and Family Assistance Program, Telus Health. This service pairs employees with counsellors who share experiences or specialize in areas such as gender, language, ethnicity, religion and more. To make a request, employees can contact the Care Access Centre at 1-844-880-9142.
• There are also several faculty and staff community networks that employees can access for support.
• Human Rights Services is available to all students, faculty and staff at the university if they believe they have experienced incidents that breach the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy. This robust policy covers all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code. All TMU students, faculty and staff can access the university's free, fair and confidential complaint resolution process in response to alleged forms of discrimination and/or harassment.
• Community Safety and Security's WalkSafe Program is available for all community members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request WalkSafe, call 416-979-5040 or email [email protected]. Personal Safety Planning Sessions are also available for individuals, groups and teams.