Mental Wellness Grant
Eligibility
Recognized graduate course unions and recognized student groups with the UTGSU may apply for funds. Graduate course unions may apply on behalf of subsidiary or faculty-wide student groups.
Funding
We will support one mental health event per semester per course union, with up to $300 in funding per event. Groups may either select an event from the provided options or propose their own.
Funds can cover (but are not limited to) speaker honoraria, venue costs, materials, refreshments, and promotional expenses.
Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly (please specify review week).
Reporting Requirements
Post-event reports must be submitted within 30 days of the event to gradlife@utgsu.ca, with alden.sova@utgsu.ca and hani.choksi@utgsu.ca CC’d.
The report must include:
- A budget
- Attendance numbers
- A brief description of the event
- A short summary of how the event went
If you select one of the provided event options, UTGSU will assist with coordination, including scheduling or connecting you with the relevant organization to arrange the event date and time. UTGSU will also cover the cost of 1–2 hours of the event, depending on the cost and the number of members in your organization.
Purpose of the Fund
The goal of this fund is to support events that are either geographically distributed (e.g., hosted in department-specific spaces) or designed to engage specific student communities. This helps ensure that wellness programming is accessible and relevant to students across all faculties and campuses.
For example, a pet therapy session held in the Mathematics Department building (Bahen) could serve as a model for localized, community-based wellness programming.
Funding Restrictions
This fund is not intended to cover food expenses for general events that are not primarily focused on mental health or wellness. This ensures that funding is used effectively to support the core mission of promoting mental health and well-being through meaningful and accessible programming.
Eligible Event Options
Applicants may choose one of the following events:
- Pet Therapy(form must be submitted a minimum of 3 weeks in advance)
- The room must be large enough for the dogs to move around
- No food is permitted at the event
- Craft Events (with or without facilitation)
- Neck & Shoulder Massages (15 minutes per person)
- Meditation & Yoga (UTGSU Gym or a comparable space)
Additional Notes
Please complete this application and ensure that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria outlined above.
The Primary Contact must be a UTGSU member (graduate student) for all requests. Eligibility does not guarantee approval, as funds are limited. All requests are subject to review and approval by the UTGSU Executive Committee.
All inquiries regarding the UTGSU Mental Wellness Grant should be directed to gradlife@utgsu.ca.
Submission Requirements
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. While the UTGSU Executive Committee makes every effort to process requests in a timely manner, applications must be submitted at least three (3) weeks prior to the event date to allow sufficient time for review.
The UTGSU Executive Committee reserves the right to request additional information before making a final decision
Case Study: Enhancing Self-Awareness for Mental Well-being — A Social Work Perspective
Overview
In response to the growing need for graduate mental health support, this wellness event focused on enhancing self-awareness as a foundational tool for emotional resilience and self-care. Led by a professional social worker, the session offered an evidence-informed perspective rooted in social work practice.
Program Details
The event featured:
- A guest talk by a licensed social worker
- Interactive discussions on stress and burnout
- Guided exercises fostering self-reflection and emotional regulation
The session created a supportive environment for peer connection, equipping students with practical strategies to manage anxiety and recognize emotional states.
Impact
- Strengthened understanding of self-reflection’s role in mental well-being
- Introduced accessible stress management tools
- Fostered dialogue across disciplines, engaging students interested in mental health and personal growth
- Depending on the type of event, approval of funding may take up to 2 weeks