Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change and growth.

"...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."- The World Health Organization

"a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." - The National Wellness Institute

Everything we do and every emotion we feel affects our well-being, and in turn, our well-being influences our actions and emotions. By prioritizing wellness, you can reduce stress, support positive interactions, and improve your overall health.

Wellness includes more than just physical and mental health. Nine dimensions of wellness contribute to a balanced, fulfilling life:

• Emotional – understanding and managing your feelings and coping effectively with stress.

• Physical – maintaining a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, and medical care.

• Intellectual – expanding your knowledge and engaging in learning, cultural, and community activities.

• Spiritual – developing values that give meaning and purpose, and using resources to cope with challenges.

• Environmental – living in harmony with your surroundings and promoting sustainability.

• Social – building supportive relationships and contributing to your community.

• Occupational – finding satisfaction and enrichment through work, studies, or other pursuits.

• Financial – managing finances effectively to reduce stress and support academic and personal success.
• Cultural – connecting with your heritage, traditions, and cultural community to support identity, belonging, and well-being

• Visit the Staying Healthy section for tips on improving and managing your health while studying.
• Explore campus initiatives on the Health Promotion page.
• Take an active role in student wellness by joining the Student Wellness Advisory Team.

If you or someone else needs urgent help, call 9-1-1 or visit our Crisis Support page for 24/7 talk, text, and phone crisis lines and other local crisis resources.

Student Health and Wellness provides:

• Counselling services for short-term therapy, skill-building, and mental health support
• Medical services for primary care, mental health care, prescriptions, and ongoing health needs

Student Accessibility Services provides:

• Academic accommodations for disabilities, medical needs, and ongoing health conditions
• Support with learning strategies, assistive technology, and faculty coordination

Lakehead is dedicated to fostering a psychologically healthy, vibrant, and supportive living and learning environment that promotes community well-being and a sense of belonging. Lakehead recognizes the vital role a Student’s Mental Health plays in achieving success, in the classroom and in all aspects of life, and strives to embed wellness approaches into its decisions, processes, and culture. Lakehead further acknowledges the unique Mental Health experiences of Indigenous Students, shaped by the ongoing impacts of colonization, and respects Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and practices as vital to fostering holistic well-being.

Reflecting an integrated approach to Student Mental Health, this policy affirms that each member of the Lakehead Community has the right to learn and work in an environment that fosters health and well-being and seeks to prevent harmful impacts on Mental Health and well-being.

Our 2020–2025 Wellness Strategy was developed through an iterative, multi-phased process that identified key themes and areas of focus including campus safety, physical and mental health, healthy eating, and overall healthy behaviours and habits.

We have now released an update to the Wellness Strategy, outlining the next steps in developing the next iteration of this important institutional commitment. This update highlights continued priorities, emerging needs, and the process that will guide the renewal of our strategy.

Download an accessible copy of our 2020-2025 Wellness Strategy

To find out more, click here: Our Trail to Wellness

To keep our work focused and consistent, we've developed two key guiding documents:

• Student Mental Health Strategy – outlines how Lakehead supports student mental health across campus

• Health Promotion Strategy – guides wellness programs, education, and prevention efforts

These strategies help ensure the support you see on campus is thoughtful, coordinated, and grounded in what works.

Supporting student well-being goes beyond programs and services. Lakehead also has policies, procedures, and supports in place to help navigate academic challenges, health concerns, and difficult situations when they come up.

The resources below outline options and supports available at Lakehead, including academic flexibility, accommodations, and campus-wide supports.

Academic Flexibility and Self-Declarations

For when illness, personal circumstances, or unexpected challenges affect your academics.

• Missed Academic Term Work (Self-Declaration)

• Final Exam Deferral Due to Illness or Other Extenuating Circumstances

• Withdrawals

Accommodations and Accessibility

Supports to help ensure equitable access to learning.

• Accommodations and Access for Students with Disabilities and Medical Conditions Policy

• Support for Students with Disabilities

Rights, Safety, and Respect

Policies and supports that promote a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus.

• Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Resources

• Sexual Violence Supports and Reporting

Help Navigating Concerns or Conflicts

Confidential support if you need help understanding policies or resolving issues.

• Ombuds Office