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Mental Health Peer Mentors

If your Counsellor has referred you to a Mental Health Peer Mentor, or if you are interested in receiving this type of support, learn more about the Peer Mentor Program on this page. 

What is a Mental Health Peer Mentor?

A Mental Health Peer Mentor is an undergraduate or graduate student at the university who listens and provides social and emotional support to fellow students (mentees) in a one-on-one setting. A Peer Mentor can also help you practice various skills related to mental health, wellbeing and self-care (e.g., mindfulness routines). Peer mentorship is based on communication, empathy and understanding. Each of the Peer Mentors receives training in order to carry out their role effectively. 

They provide:  
  • Emotional support by providing a listening ear.
  • Support by teaching and practicing self-care skills such as mindfulness and relaxation.
  • Support by practicing social skills (for example, conversations in a nonjudgmental atmosphere, going to club and society events).

Peer Mentors prioritize creating a safe and comfortable environment and will always uphold confidentiality and maintain professionalism.

Drop-in sessions

What are drop-in sessions?

Drop-in sessions are one-time, informal opportunities for you to receive support from a dedicated Mental Health Peer Mentor. These sessions are designed to provide quick, focused assistance on a variety of mental health topics and concerns without the need for an appointment. Our Mental Health Peer Mentors are fellow students who have received specialized training to support their peers. They can assist with:

  • Developing healthy coping strategies.
  • Improving time management and self-care routines.
  • Managing stress and anxiety.
  • Navigating campus mental health resources.

When are they available? 

The drop-in session schedule is the same every week:

  • Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m.

  • Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m.

  • Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. 

Please note: Due to the holiday closure, drop-in sessions will be unavailable from December 16, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Regular sessions will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025. 

How do I access a drop-in session?

You need to be logged into your .net account in order to be permitted entry into a virtual drop-in session.

To attend a drop-in session over Google Meet, visit the link below and ask to join. 

Request to join a drop-in session

Please note that each drop-in session is limited to a maximum duration of one hour. This ensures that we can assist as many students as possible. If your access to a drop-in session is denied, please try again in 30 minutes, as the Peer Mentor might currently be busy. Thank you for your patience. 

Additional information

Our Mental Health Peer Mentors are not counsellors or therapists. If they feel that you require professional mental health support, they may refer you to other services as appropriate.

We look forward to seeing you to help you achieve your mental health and wellness goals!

Peer Mentor sessions

What are Peer Mentor sessions?

These are scheduled one-on-one meetings with the same mentor. The frequency of appointments can vary and will offer you tailored support for personal and academic development. These sessions are a more in-depth interaction compared to the drop-in sessions and provide an opportunity for continued support and trust building.

You may self-refer or a member of the Mental Health Services team may refer you to a Mental Health Peer Mentor in order to receive support from one of your Ontario Tech peers.  

What to expect

  • If you have self-referred to our Mental Health Peer Mentor program, your referral will go through our Student Lifeline intake process. If you have indicated thoughts of suicide, you will be scheduled with one of our Mental Health and Wellness Facilitators for a mental health intake appointment. If you are not experiencing thoughts of suicide, you will be connected with a Mental Health Peer Mentor within a week.

  • Alternatively, with your consent, a Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator or your Mental Health Counsellor can also reach out to a Mental Health Peer Mentor and provide them with your contact information.

  • Your Mental Health Peer Mentor will email you to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet.

  • You will have a 50-minute initial meeting with your Mental Health Peer Mentor to review confidentiality, your goals and/or your support needs.

  • At your initial meeting, you and your Mental Health Peer Mentor will also decide how often you will meet.  Follow-up appointments can be booked with your Mentor by email. 

  • Similar to counselling, the length of time someone receives support from a Mental Health Peer Mentor will vary, depending on needs.

Mental Health Peer Mentors do not provide or replace counselling or therapy services, although they can provide information about these services.

Checking in for your appointment

Mental Health Peer Mentors are currently connecting with their mentees in person, via Google Meet secure video or by Google Meet telephone.  

Confidentiality

Peer Mentors are trained in confidentiality and will protect your privacy.

I am interested in seeing a Peer Mentor, how do I sign up?

If you are interested in seeing a Peer Mentor, you can self-refer, make an appointment with our Student Wellness Coordinator, or ask your Student Life Mental Health Counsellor for more details about this program.

If I am not registered with Student Mental Health Services can I still sign up?

If you are not registered but would like to see a Peer Mentor, you will can either self-refer or  request an intake appointment with a Student Wellness Coordinator, who can connect you with a Peer Mentor.

How do I book an intake appointment?

You can book an appointment through any of the following options:

How long will a Peer Mentor appointment take?

Peer Mentor sessions are up to 50 minutes in length. Sessions are usually once a week or every two weeks.

Can I see my Peer Mentor long-term?

You can continue to see a Peer Mentor as long as there is an agreement between yourself (Mentee) and the Mentor that continuing sessions are appropriate for your needs. If you require longer and/or more intensive care than Peer Mentors can provide, options for referrals to more appropriate campus or community resources will be discussed.

Will my parents be notified if I get involved with counselling services?

Your information is protected and confidential. Parents, friends, professors, administrators or employers are not provided with any information regarding a student involved in peer mentoring.

What if I feel like I don’t “click” or like my Peer Mentor?

You have a right to feel comfortable and safe in a Peer Mentor session.  If you would like to change mentors, please email studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca to request this change. 

Is there a cost to be seeing a Peer Mentor?

These services are included as part of your tuition—there are no additional fees. 

Am I able to bring a friend to my Peer Mentor sessions?

Yes, if you feel more comfortable with another person and that person attends voluntarily. However, these sessions are designed for the specific mentee only. If your friend is interested in seeing a Peer Mentor, please let them know about the referral process.

How long will I have to wait for Peer Mentor appointment?

It depends on your availability, our availability, and an assessment of your needs. There is sometimes a short wait during busy times of the year.

Would I benefit from Peer Mentor sessions?

Everybody can benefit from having a Peer Mentor. Peer Mentors are there to listen and share experiences with mentees in order to help build connections, share experiences without judgment, practice new skills, and to help you fully benefit from your university experiences. Students meet with Peer Mentors for a variety of reasons including loneliness, challenges with self-esteem, stress, difficulties with social situations, seeking a listening ear and being able to talk about concerns that you would like to keep confidential.

What if I need to talk, but my Peer Mentor and/or counsellor are not available?

Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365. Students can reach Good2Talk by calling 1-866-925-5454 or by dialing 2-1-1 and asking to be connected to Good2Talk. If you are experiencing an emergency or mental health crisis, please call 911.

7 Cups is a free online peer support resource that students can access.

What is the difference between a drop-in session and a peer mentor session?

Drop-in sessions: 

  • Informal, no appointment needed.
  • Mentors may not always be the same.
  • Quick support and advice on various topics.
  • Less in-depth interaction than peer mentor sessions.  

Peer Mentor sessions:

  • Scheduled one-on-one meetings with the same mentor.
  • Frequency can vary from weekly to as needed.
  • Tailored support for personal and academic development.
  • More in-depth interaction.
Please note: If you are experiencing a mental health or other crisis on campus, call Campus Security at 905.721.8668 ext. 240 or 905.721.3211. If you are not on campus and need immediate help, call 911.
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