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Mental Health Resources with Robert Nettleton
Published: January 20, 2023
Robert Nettleton is a registered social worker in The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre’s Youth Psychiatry program, and a psychotherapist with ACTion Psychotherapy. In his work, he supports clients through difficulties with mood, anxiety, stress, and identity, helping to guide them on their journey of self-discovery. Robert is a graduate of Algonquin College who served on the SA’s 2007-2008 Board of Directors and then as SA President in 2008-2009.
Hey AC Students!
How are you all doing? How are things? How’s College Life?
Whether your answer to the above is great, good, “meh,” not-so-good, awful, or anything along that spectrum, I’m here to remind you of some mental health resources available to you should you need some extra support.
As I sit in my office writing this, I couldn’t help but notice that today is known as “Blue Monday” – the most depressing day of the year. The very blue moniker that overshadows the third Monday of the New Year may have some truth to it. The fact is there are plenty of reasons you may notice a change in your mood around this time of year: the post-holiday blues and returning to work, school, or both; the chillingly famous Ottawa cold; or sudden or even expected changes to your personal life, whether to your physical or mental health, family, or social life. The list can (and does) go on.
I remember speaking to a counsellor when I was an AC Student. The financial stress, academic and job stress, and, frankly, the social and personal stress of being a low income, farm-to-big-city, queer student felt, at times, too much to bear. My on-campus counsellor, Jane, not only helped me access solutions to my financial problems, she also helped me learn coping skills when I felt my mental health was at its worst. I’m grateful for her, but am also grateful to my younger self for reaching out when I needed help.
I know Algonquin College has some great student support services on campus that I hope you consider checking out, but since I’m a fan of always having more than one tool in my toolbox, I wanted to draw your attention to a few others just in case:
- AccessMHA.ca intake and referral service for mental health and addiction support in Eastern Ontario
- Counselling Connect free access to virtual counselling
- Mental health and addictions mobile apps like Breaking Free, MindShift CBT, and Saying When
- MindBeacon: digital cognitive behaviour therapy guided by a trained therapist
- …and a few more can be found here.
Crisis Lines
- Mental Health Crisis Line – 1 (866) 996-0991
- Youth Services Bureau 24/7 Crisis Line – (613) 260-2360
- The Ottawa Distress Centre
If you’re experiencing an emergency, please visit your local emergency department or call 911.
I wish you all a great semester.