3.1 Care and Support

Care

It is important to care for your needs. Self-care is an important part of life and an important skill to learn, we should think of it as a priority and a necessity. Self-care is what we do for ourselves to establish and maintain our physical, emotional, and mental health, and prevent illness and burn out.

While self-care is not a cure-all as is often prescribed, there are certain steps you could take that might help remind yourself that you are doing the best you can and deserve rest, relaxation, and joy. Self-care does not need to cost money, and can be as simple as: giving yourself permission to sleep in, cuddling a pet, watching Netflix, taking alone time, reading a book for pleasure, taking a stroll in nature, taking a long shower or bath, nourishing your body with your favourite foods, taking a day off from social media, turning off your phone for an evening, taking a 15-minute tea/coffee break, meditating… it could also include taking deep breaths and bringing your attention to your surroundings, journaling your thoughts and feelings, downloading a self-care or mindfulness app, or calling a trusted friend or loved one.

Self-care often suggests that we are independent and must rely only on ourselves for our health and care, when in reality we also need others to survive. This is where community care comes in.

Since our happiness increases when we help others, participating in both self-care and community-care will benefit you, while at the same time benefiting others. Community-care involves being there for others in meaningful ways, showing compassion, using privilege to help and support others, taking the initiative to show someone you care, or showing up without being asked. It also acknowledges that care is reciprocal; if one provides care to another, it should be accepted that the person providing the care can also access care for themselves from the community.  It can look like political organizing to advocate for community needs or watching a neighbours’ kids while they are unwell.  It can involve joining a club or group with similar interests, or volunteering at a local food bank.  It is a commitment to being there for others, and trust that others will be there for you, too.  This ability to depend on community can support a sense of validation, motivation, and well-being.  We all need others to survive, and community care can also help us thrive.

Support

There are many on and off campus resources that provide support. You can connect with SVPRO by emailing svpro@uwaterloo.ca, however SVPRO is not a crisis service. If you are in crisis, please find contact Crisis Support Services

Campus Wellness provides Counselling services and mental health related opportunities.

Empower Me is a mental health and wellness service which supports existing on-campus services and can be reached toll free 24/7 at 1-833-628-5589.

If you are a graduate student you can find supports for graduate students at Graduate Student Wellness.

If you are an employee, you can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program provided by Homewood Health, and can be reached toll free 24/7 at 1-866-398-9505