SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Life-changing research

Based at Queen’s, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) is a cooperative oncology network that designs and runs clinical trials in cancer therapy, supportive care, and prevention. The national cooperative group of 6,500+ Canadian investigators and clinical trial staff have conducted over 600 trials in 40 countries resulting in major, life-saving breakthroughs in breast, colorectal, blood, lung, ovarian, brain, and prostate cancer.

As many as 1 in 1,000 women may not realize they have a bleeding disorder and, consequently, don’t seek help. Through her internationally recognized research program at Queen’s, Dr. Paula James, hematologist at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, and her team have developed Let’s Talk Period, a self-administered assessment tool that aims to increase awareness of the symptoms of bleeding disorders. Available at letstalkperiod.ca, the test educates women about their periods and helps them find appropriate supports.

Mental health supports

Our Student Wellness Services provides confidential Mental Health Services, including one-on-one appointments with mental health professionals, groups, events, and training. Students can also use the online self-directed tool Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) to design a personal intervention plan or access free 24/7 mental health support through Empower Me.

Thrive is a week-long series of events at Queen’s that focuses on building positive mental health and helping reduce mental health-related stigma among our students, staff, and faculty.

Sexual health

The Queen’s Sexual Health Resource Centre is a confidential, non-judgmental, sex positive, pro-choice, queer positive, non-heterosexist, and feminist information and referral service that provides students with sexual and reproductive education and health-care services.

Collaborating on research

Queen’s collaborates closely with the Kingston General Hospital Research Institute, the research arm of the Kingston Health Sciences Centre, and Providence Care, a local health organization. More than 350 investigators at this not-for-profit academic institute are leading innovative research projects that are making a global impact on health and well-being.

Developed with a group of seniors living in a Kingston-area apartment building, Oasis Senior Supporting Living Program is a unique model of active aging-in-place. Professors Catherine Donnelly and Vince DePaul from the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s are leading a research project to evaluate and expand the Oasis Model into seven new communities in four cities across Ontario.

Providing health services to the broader community

The Neuroscience Outreach Program, located at the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University, strives to improve the Kingston community’s awareness and understanding of neuroscience. Programmers lead lecture series, educate athletes about concussions and brain safety, perform hands-on experiments with local children and provide companionship to elderly patients.

Inspiring young athletes

The Junior Gaels program aims to inspire young Kingston athletes to attend Queen’s and, one day, play for the Queen’s University Gaels. The program connects current student-athletes to young athletes in the community and offers opportunities for mentorship and community building.

Advancing health beyond our borders

Queen’s is committed to improving the health and wellness of individuals and communities across the globe. The University’s International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation works to mainstream disability and advance the concept of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) practice in collaboration with persons with disabilities. Initiatives aim to improve health care and social services for people with disabilities, their families, and their communities in Canada and 15 other countries around the world.

Queen’s Health Outreach (QHO) is a student-run non-profit that promotes health through peer-to-peer discussions in classrooms in Canada and around the world. Each year QHO implements programs for students in Belize, Guyana, Kenya, and across Canada that aim to improve individual and community health.

Health and wellness policies

Queen’s prioritizes health and wellness in its operations. To protect our community’s health and well-being, Queen’s maintains a tobacco and smoke-free environment on all our campuses and properties.