New online counselling service launches at UM
Students have flexibility on how to complete treatment modules
The Student Counselling Centre is offering a new service to UM students.
The RBC MOOD (Manitoba Online Overcoming Depression) Program is an online counselling service, supported by RBC Future Launch, for students who need help with low to moderate symptoms of depression. It consists of a series of online treatment modules that are self-directed, which means students choose when and how quickly they complete them. The RBC MOOD Program also includes online support from a counsellor who will monitor the progress of participants to ensure they are benefiting from the program.
“It is exciting for us to have another service to help students with their mental health needs,” says David Ness, director of the Student Counselling Centre. “The RBC MOOD Program improves access to counselling supports for many students, especially those who are not located in Winnipeg, and addresses a significant and common challenge – depression.”
As with all Student Counselling Centre services, the RBC MOOD Program is available to University of Manitoba students as a free, confidential service. Students who are interested in the program will be screened to determine if the RBC MOOD Program is a good fit for their needs. If yes, the student will be enrolled in the program and assigned to an online counsellor who will provide additional education, encouragement and support to help the student get the most out of the RBC MOOD Program.
Like any counselling endeavour, students wanting to maximize the benefits will be encouraged to engage in consistent and sustained work. Students will be asked to:
• Devote time each week to the program;
• Engage in daily practice of learned skills;
• Submit homework to their online counsellor;
• Begin work on the program within two weeks of acceptance.
“Access to care is vital to the mental health of our communities,” shares RBC Regional President Kim Ulmer. “It is for all of us to rally around those with mental health needs, challenge stigmas, and collaborate relentlessly to provide the kind of education and counselling supports that help individuals thrive. We are grateful to the University of Manitoba for their tremendous partnership. We also celebrate the Student Counselling Centre for taking this important next step in supporting the mental health needs of students through the RBC MOOD Program.”
The RBC MOOD Program is one of many initiatives undertaken by the Student Counselling Centre to increase accessibility to services designed to meet the mental health needs of students. Other new initiatives include the creation of intake and triage specialist positions, enhanced group programming and workshops, and a new screening procedure at the front desk.
Visit the Student Counselling Centre website to participate in RBC MOOD and find out more about counselling services on the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses.