University can be an overwhelming experience of an infinite number of tests, 15-page papers, labs, parties, and campus organization meetings—all requiring massive amounts of time and concentration.
And, of course, the university-related responsibilities do not include the endless hours of working and perhaps even an independent social life. How can you cope with life’s academic, social, and physical demands? When do their effects become uncontrollable?
The University of Toronto’s Psychiatric Service may be a helpful resource to cope with stress.
“We have a very welcoming entrance and waiting room…and hope that those who need the service will find us,” said the head of U of T’s Psychiatric Service, Victor Likwornik.
Located on the main floor in the Koffler Student Services Centre at 214 College St., this confidential service is fully covered by OHIP, other provincial health plans and UHIP, and is available to all students who pay incidental fees. Last year, 1,500 students used the service.
Although patients are usually seen individually, group therapy is also available. Students are involved in group therapy for approximately a few months to a year.
In addition, the service is “in the process of developing a more comprehensive program for eating disorders in conjunction with the Health Service and Family Service,” from whom Psychiatric Service receives quite a few referrals.
Psychiatric Service deals with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, eating and body image disorders, attention and concentration problems, sleeping troubles and substance abuse, as well as other problems.
“There is a large number of people who need our service. We’re available far more readily than in the community and also we’re familiar with the particulars of students’ problems.”
During the detailed assessment, students can discuss their situations with a clinician who will help come up with a suitable therapy. Some students find it helpful just discussing their concerns with a professional clinician, but not proceeding beyond that initial assessment.
If therapy is recommended, two-thirds of patients begin therapy soon after their assessments; however, students with more complex concerns or those who come at busy times of the year may wait up to 1-5 weeks to start therapy sessions. Students can select from a male or female clinician.
Although U of T’s Psychiatric Service has been consistently offering more education through means of advertisements in different colleges, on the Internet and in newspapers, they are also planning to conduct workshops at the residences and colleges to increase student awareness.
“Mostly when people need us for our kind of help they look around and then we’re not that difficult to find.”
However, Likwornik feels that work could be done to expand the amount of outreach services that are available to the student community. With adequate funding, it is an ongoing issue that the service is continually working to improve for the benefit of U of T students.
