Resources for the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Community
Around the world, people are becoming more aware of the systemic racism that Black, Indigenous and People of Colour experience on a daily basis and the impact that it has on individual’s health and well-being. It's important that University of Guelph community members learn about and acknowledge the pain and trauma people are experiencing, embrace hope and become civically engaged.
We all have a role to play in creating a healthier campus and community. Taking time to learn, reflect and act to address systems of oppression is an important step to creating our vision of a thriving workforce, organization and community where the well-being of the whole person is supported.
Below are a variety of resources available to support the BIPOC members of our community who are experiencing the effects of racial trauma, and our members who we invite to begin or continue your journey to becoming a thoughtful and effective ally.
Wellness Resources for BIPOC Community Members
The University of Guelph Office of Diversity and Human Rights has curated a variety of resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour community members.
The resources include tip sheets, podcasts, toolkits, apps and articles related to self and community care in combatting the effects of racism and intersectional violence.
View the BIPOC resource list.
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Access to counselling is available to U of G employees 24 hours per day, seven days per week through the University's EFAP provider, Homewood Employee Health toll-free at 1-800-663-1142. Connect with a counsellor by phone, private conversations similar to email, real-time chat or video chat.
There are a number of counsellors available who have disclosed their race and ethnicity and BIPOC individuals can ask for a counsellor who is of their preferred race, ethnicity or background.
In addition to counselling, employees have access to health risk assessments, e-courses, Life Smart coaching, blog articles and more. View some of the EFAP programs available to employees.
Call 1-800-663-1142 and/or create an account at homeweb.ca to access resources and more.
Counselling Benefits
University of Guelph employees are eligible for $1500 per calendar year for psychological services, which now include services provided by counsellors with a Master of Social Work, psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, marriage and family therapists, or clinical counselors provided they are licensed and registered by a recognized provincial governing body as defined by the benefits provider.
General Wellness Resources
A list of additional wellness resources and services in Guelph and the surrounding area are available and organized by topic area (i.e. mental health, physical activity, grief and loss, etc.).
Office of Diversity and Human Rights
The University of Guelph Office of Diversity and Human Rights has curated a variety of resources as a starting or continuing point for self-guided learning on anti-racism and anti-oppression.
View the full resource list and learn more.
The resources are categorized by the following headings:
- Resources to Build and Improve Capacity for Allyship and Anti-Racist Practice:
- Contextualize – History of race and racism
- Contextualize – Systems of oppressions in higher education
- Acknowledge – Acknowledge privilege and bias
- Allyship – Take action to support the work of BIPOC
- Act – Identify ways to address systems of oppression work alongside BIPOC
- Commit and deepen understanding – Engage in the lifelong process of learning and unlearning
In addition, the Office of Diversity and Human Rights has created a handbook entitled, Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Times of Crisis and Challenge: An Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Handbook for Individuals & Organizations During COVID-19, with tips and resources on how to be a strong ally, how to deal with stigma, how to support those facing mental health challenges and how to be an inclusive leader.
30 Day Challenge: A Daily Practice Challenging Barriers to Equity
Wellbeing Waterloo Region has designed an online 30-day challenge that provides daily practices to challenge barriers to equity. The challenges are designed to boost knowledge and capacity around equity issues such as unconscious bias, social inclusion, and various forms of privilege. Each day, you click on “Day 1… Day 2…etc.” and there is a learn, reflect, and practice component. Pick a month to start your 30 day challenge!