Message to our Students

The School of Rehabilitation Science is committed to supporting our students and minimizing any negative impact on their academic progress as well as protecting the health and safety of students, staff and visitors. We will continue to communicate about course delivery and any changes to the curriculum through our normal channels and meetings.

All students, staff and visitors entering the School of Rehabilitation Science must comply with a continuous masking policy effective until July 18, 2022. Three-ply masks will be available to students within lab spaces. As of July 18, 2022, the School will follow the USask pause of the masking mandate and masks will no longer be required. We continue to recommend masking based on individual decisions regarding risk and in situations when in close contact with others. As of July 18, 2022, we will no longer be providing masks for student use in labs. More information and updates will be provided prior to the start of classes on August 29, 2022. Please continue to follow health and safety requirements and stay home if you are sick, regardless if you think it is Covid-19 or not.  

All students and staff must continue to follow isolation guidelines https://covid19.usask.ca/documents/contract-tracing/close-contact-flow-chart.pdf

Continue to follow reporting policies and contact both Cathy Arnold cathy.arnold@usask.ca and Teresa Paslawski teresa.paslawski@usask.ca  as well as your instructor if you are sick and/or test positive for Covid-19.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or assistance

Faculty and Staff Resources

The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. 

If you need help, use the university's employee and family assistance plan. Also, be considerate to the people around you. The World Health Organization has put out a Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak factsheet

Health and Wellness Resources for Students

You can find accurate updates and detailed information on symptoms, prevention, and spread of the virus on the following websites: 

World Health Organization (WHO)

Public Health Agency of Canada

Saskatchewan Health Authority

Choosing sources of information carefully is critical to COVID-19 mental well-being says Mental Health Commission of Canada https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/news-article/13920/choosing-sources-information-carefully-critical-covid-19-mental-well-being-says

211 Saskatchewan is a free, confidential information and referral system for thousands of community and government organizations.

https://sk.211.ca/

Contact Student Central, they will fill out a form and send it to the appropriate person to coordinate the request.

  • Emergency Financial Aid 
  • Nasser Family Emergency Student Trust

The Science of Well-Being: Yale University is offering this course online free. In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits.

How to Use Mindfulness in Times of Crisis and Challenge – Mindfulness, which is being fully aware in the present moment, is an effective strategy for dealing with  the stressors and trauma of crisis situations. 

TED talks on Mindfulness

Meditation is helping this ER doctor cope with the rising stress of fighting COVID-19 

COVID-19: Mental Health and Well-Being 

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

As physical distancing expands amid COVID-19 pandemic, some worry about a social recession

Staying physically active and getting regular workouts is critical right now. Working out keeps your immune system strong and your state of mind clear, calm, and stress free. Here are a few resources to make sure you stay moving.

  • DownDog App has made all their apps completely free until May 1st. You can choose from hundreds of at-home yoga, HIIT, Barre, and 7-minute workouts. 
  • Glo is offering free online yoga, meditation and pilates workouts to help deal with anxiety. 
  • Workout for Women app:  You don’t need any equipment. Plus, they make it super easy to get in a 7-minute workout.
  • Yoga with Adriene offers amazing free yoga classes on YouTube, and is welcoming to all abilities and body types.

Did you know that research shows laughing is proven to reduce stress and improve your immune system? 

Here are some IG posts that are brightening my day:

  • Some people are taking group workouts to a whole new level in Spain.
  • This group sing-along in a Copenhagen apartment complex is… EVERYTHING.
  • Doctors and nurses dancing to keep spirits high in Tehran.

Social distancing during coronavirus doesn’t have to mean total isolation or feeling lonely. Technology offers countless ways to stay connected to your family, friends, and community.

  • NextDoor has quickly become an essential way to connect with your neighbors while you’re hunkering down inside. You can connect with others, check in on the vulnerable around you, and if you have extra supplies or an essential that someone else needs, you can drop them at your neighbor’s door. 
  • Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party). This Chrome plugin lets you watch your favorite Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO shows in tandem with friends, making you feel like you’re at a slumber party from the comfort of your own home.  
This is a fantastic blog post written by a cancer survivor who spent nearly 9 months self-isolating last year and has some great tips on how to stay happy, healthy, and connected to the people you love.

HealthFlix hosted an online conference on wellness from March 31 – April 12. Click on the link below to access all of the recorded sessions!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsJiao0JnUSOh_DmLDTduw/videos

Telerehabilitation in Saskatchewan

Visit our Continuing Education in Rehabilitation Science (CERS) site for Considerations for Telerehabilitation for Saskatchewan Physical Therapists and resources for physiotherapy during COVID-19