We wish to acknowledge the unique emotional, academic, and social pressures Iranian community members may be experiencing at this time — whether related to war, displacement, political unrest, family separation, or academic stress. We understand this may be an emotionally complex time. Please know that you are not alone, and that support is available.
Personal Safety
The U of T Campus Safety App is a helpful resource to support the safety and well-being of our community. The app includes features such as:
- Live Chat with Campus Safety staff, available on all three campuses 24 hours/7 days a week; and
- Virtual TravelSafer, which allows Campus Safety to monitor a user’s route by user request when coming to or leaving one of U of T’s campuses until reaching a destination.
- If you are walking or travelling alone between University buildings, parking lots, and transit stops near campus, you may request a free escort via the app.
For additional safety and wellness resources available to students, staff, faculty and librarians, please visit safety.utoronto.ca.
Wellness Supports
In collaboration with PSEC Health and Wellness, OVPS Student Mental Health Systems, and the Multi-Faith Centre, a number of wellness supports, including designated drop-in gathering spaces, onsite and virtually counselling sessions have been provided periodically for Iranian community members. Please continue to refer to the EDI in the Global Context webpage for updates on resources, supports, and ongoing educational programming.
For additional supports for students, including immediate crisis support and culturally relevant counselling for Iranian community members, head to mentalhealth.utoronto.ca.
For additional supports for staff, read more about the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
Other Community Resources
The following are some culturally responsive community organizations that may be helpful at this time. Please note, these agencies operate externally to the Institutional Equity Office and the University of Toronto. These are all third-party websites and we are not responsible for their content.
Iranian Community Supports
Intercultural Iranian Canadian Resource Centre (I2CRC)
Membership based, I2CRC offers peer support programs, yoga and arts-based initiatives in a therapeutic environment, stress management and mental health supports.
Offering services in both Farsi and English, provides counseling, support groups, and community programs tailored to the needs of the Iranian community.
Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario
Offering services in both Farsi and English, provides counseling, mental health clinics, support groups, as well as yoga, meditation and art classes for Iranian women.
Global listing of Iranian psychologists, with local in-person and online counselling options.
Parya provides one-on-one counselling sessions for all ages in their preferred language, with members entitled to 5 sessions free. Counselling services available in Farsi, English, and Spanish.
For ongoing updates, please see the Community Updates page of the UTogether website.
For additional resources, you can also consult the Supports and Safety page.