Be well, stay well, do well: Health Support at U of T
“Asking for help is not a weakness; it’s a responsible way to take care of yourself.“
When Jason Liu began his studies at U of T, he knew the university offered health-related services, but he didn’t fully understand the range of support available through the Health & Wellness Centre. It wasn’t until a community health nursing placement during his final year studying at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing brought him into the clinic that he saw firsthand how robust the supports were.
During his placement, Jason worked alongside healthcare professionals supporting students through immunizations, health education and follow-up care. He enjoyed helping students feel informed and confident about their health needs.
“My favourite part of the placement was being able to support students directly,” he says. With the support of his nursing supervisor, Jason became part of the team of doctors, nurses, dietitians and therapists providing students with the care that they needed.
For Jason, easy access to healthcare plays an important role in student success.
“University life can be academically demanding, emotionally stressful and sometimes isolating,” he says. “When physical and mental health support is easy to access, students are more likely to seek help early instead of waiting until their concerns become more serious.”
The Health & Wellness Centre works hard to keep barriers low and access simple. Where wait-times might have been a concern, he learned that students experiencing acute illness may be able to access same-day appointments. Where more specialized support was required post-appointment, the clinic provides referrals, laboratory requisitions and follow-up care.
His advice for new students is to view their health as an essential part of their university experience.
“I would encourage students to learn about campus resources early, even before they urgently need them, so they know where to go when challenges come up,” he says. Looking back, there’s one message he wishes he could share with his first-year self: you don’t have to figure everything out alone.
“There are many people and services at U of T that are there to support students,” Jason says. “Using those resources early can make the transition much smoother.”
For students preparing to start their studies this fall, his advice is simple: attend orientation events, explore campus resources and take care of your physical and mental health from the beginning.
And if you ever need support, remember that help is closer than you think.
