Support for Postdoctoral Associates

Are you in distress?

If you are in danger and or have safety concerns about a situation involving imminent risk of harm, call 9-1-1.

UCalgary's Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides all postdoctoral scholars with complimentary and confidential short-term counselling. Call toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to book appointments or access immediate help. Phone: 1.866.424.0699 TTY: 1.877.338.0275

For other 24/7 crisis counselling, speak with a crisis counsellor from the Wood’s Homes’ Community Resource Team, reachable at 403-299-9699, or a highly trained volunteer at the Distress Centre, reachable at 403-266-4357.

For all other situations on campus, consider calling Campus Security (including 24 hr emergency response and Safe Walk) at 403-220-5333, available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Enhance your mental health with these supports

  1. Staff Wellness

    Staff Wellness leads a number of programs, resources and services, to help promote, support, and sustain the health and wellness of faculty and staff at UCalgary.

    Learn more

  2. Employee & Family Assistance

    UCalgary's Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides well-being support for all postdoctoral associates. Services provided include short-term professional counselling and are confidential. You and your eligible dependents have access to EFAP at no cost to you. 

    Call toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to book appointments or access immediate help.

    Phone: 1.866.424.0699
    TTY: 1.877.338.0275

    Any employees who currently have a case with previous UCalgary EFAP vendors will continue to receive support from that provider until the sessions are completed. For any future assistance, reach out to the toll-free phone number listed above.

    Learn more

  1. Postdoctoral Office

    The Postdoctoral Office enriches and elevates postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary and supports postdoctoral scholars in their pursuit of future career success.

    Contact

  2. Postdoctoral Association

    The Postdoctoral Association provides a collective voice for the issues of particular relevance and interest to postdoctoral associates, a liaison between postdoctoral associates and the administration of the university, and works with the postdoctoral office to promote and develop effective training and career counselling of postdoctoral associates.

    Learn more

Local and national mental health resources

Crisis and distress resources

For local 24/7 mental health support, call Distress Centre at 403-266-4357 to speak with a highly trained volunteer who can connect you to further resources.

For Canadians aged 5-29, Kids Help Phone operators are professional counsellors, call 1-800-668-6868 to access or text CONNECT to 686868. To access the support you need in the country you reside in, visit the Child Helpline International website.

Alberta Mental Health Help Line is a confidential 24/7 service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns. Call 1-877-303-2642 (toll free) to access.

Wood’s Homes Community Support has call and text services, visit their website for more information for how to connect to a trainee counsellor or social worker.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8, where you will be connected with responder who will listen to you, support you, and keep you safe.       

For Indigenous peoples, Hope for Wellness Helpline is operated 24/7 by experienced and culturally sensitive counsellors. Call 1-855-242-3310 to be connected or chat online.

Additional resources

Community Connect YYC connects Calgary's communities with affordable and barrier-free access to in-person, phone or video counselling sessions. Learn more.

Counselling Alberta provides affordable counselling with same-day appointments available. Virtual and in-person options are available. Learn more or call 1-833-827-4230 (toll-free).