As UBC continues to navigate the situation regarding COVID-19, we recognize that members of our community may have questions and concerns.
Within British Columbia, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the BC Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are leading the coordinated response to COVID-19. UBC continues to take direction from the BC Provincial Government as we plan and consider next steps.
This website contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to appointments, immigration, professional development, Tri-Agency funding, and more.
You are also encouraged to visit https://covid19.ubc.ca/ for the latest updates regarding COVID-19 and UBC's response.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and in support of physical distancing, the PDFO Reception is currently closed and it is not possible to make in-person visits to our office. During this time, we ask that Postdoctoral Fellows, faculty and staff contact our office by email. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner, but may have limited capacity due to a high volume of emails.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Please direct any questions about your Postdoctoral Fellowship appointment to your department administrator.
BENEFITS, HEALTH AND WELLBEING
The Government of British Columbia has announced temporary changes to aspects of the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please refer to the Government of BC website for detailed information about MSP coverage.
Internal UBC Resources:
Mental health resources are available for currently-appointed UBC Postdoctoral Fellows through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). This confidential and voluntary counselling support service, provided through Morneau Shepell, is available in multiple languages and formats, and counsellors can help with a range of issues including stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. The Morneau Shepell Care Access Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-387-4765 or through workhealthlife.com.
The UBC community offers a number of opportunities to learn mindfulness and practice meditation in the 30-Day Online Mindfulness Challenge and Meditation groups at UBC. Visit the UBC Human Resources website for information and meditation resources.
For people who struggle with substance use and addictions, it can sometimes be difficult to seek out help and support. If you are looking for help, or you want to support someone you know in finding assistance, the following resources are available.
Resilient Living™ Recovery
UBC HR has partnered with Boreal Wellness Centres Inc. to offer Resilient Living™ Recovery, anon-12 step, mindfulness-based addiction treatment program to help reduce or stop problematic substance use. The program is available to staff, faculty, and their dependents, who are experiencing mild to moderate problematic substance use. Resilient Living™ Recovery uses a values-based approach that consists of motivational interviewing and developing a resilient living plan. Participants will learn about healthier coping strategies, managing relapse triggers, and increasing resiliency.
On-Demand Substance Use Support by ALAViDA TRAiL
The ALAViDA TRAiL is your one-stop-shop to a life where you’re in control of your relationship with substances - no matter if you're just curious, or facing mild, moderate or severe challenges. You can access ALAViDA directly from your smartphone. No awkward conversations, no shame and 100% confidential.
Learn through self-guided resources, or message and meet coaches, therapists and physicians who deliver a personalized program proven to reduce substance use. All supported by a wide range of digital resources – from journaling to activities that help you reach your goals. Along the way, master vital coping skills to manage depression, anxiety and difficult emotions.
Since 2015, UBC has been an active participant of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Not Myself Today (NMT) Initiative. NMT includes digital toolkits and activities, online learning tools, and resources.
For more information, visit the Central Human Resources website.
UBC Human Resources offers a series of free health and wellbeing events and resources. For more information and to register, visit the Central HR website and the Healthy UBC Newsletter online or subscribe to the emailed Healthy UBC newsletter.
Free External Resources:
The BC Crisis Centre provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Their Distress Services are a resource where youth and adults in distress can:
- GET HELP by having a real-time online chat with a trained volunteer, or by getting email support from the Crisis Centre’s professional staff
- LEARN MORE about common issues and concerns such as bullying, disordered eating, depression and self-harm
- FIND RESOURCES by connecting to our online library of useful websites and community resources
Phone Support
The Crisis Centre's Phone Distress Services are available if you are worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone. The phone lines below are available in over 140 languages using a language service.
- Greater Vancouver: 604-872-3311
- Toll Free: 1-866-661-3311
- 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
- TTY: 1-866-872-0113
- Senior’s Distress: 604-872-1234
- 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
Web Support
CrisisCentreChat.ca is a web-based hotline for adults (25+) in distress where they can access free, confidential, non-judgmental support (noon – 1am, 7 days a week) from dedicated volunteers, supported by a small team of professional staff.
Crisis Services Canada provides a safe place to talk - any time, in your own way. If you are having thoughts of suicide, you don’t have to face them alone. This service is available if you need a safe and judgement free place to talk. Our responders are here to listen to you, support you, and keep you safe. Crisis Services Canada can help you understand your thoughts and feelings, and connect you with local support resources, but are ultimately here to listen and share this difficult moment with you.
- Phone: 1.833.456.4566 - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Text Message: Send a text to 45645 - available 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM Eastern Time. Standard text messaging rates apply.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) offers a number of free online mental health support programs. These programs include:
- BounceBack: Offers weekly calls and homework with a personal coach to combat depression, anxiety, stress, and worry.
- Living Life to the Full: An interactive, 8-week online course based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy delivered in 90-minute sessions. Available for adults and for youth ages 13-18.
The CMHA is regularly adding support resources to their website. Please visit the CMHA website for more information and to access these supports.
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use their chat box below to connect with a counsellor on-line
Experienced and culturally competent Help Line counsellors can help if you:
- want to talk
- are distressed
- have strong emotional reactions
- are triggered by painful memories
If asked, counsellors can also work with you to find other wellness supports that are available near you
Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in:
- Cree
- Ojibway
- Inuktitut
HealthLink BC's health service navigators can help you find health information or health services, or connect you with a nurse, dietitian, exercise professional, or pharmacist. Translation services are available in over 130 languages. To get service in another language, simply state the language you are looking for (example say “Punjabi”), and an interpreter will join the call.
Call 8-1-1 to speak with a navigator anytime of the day or night. If your telephone service provider is not able to support the 8-1-1 number, the service can be accessed by calling 604-215-8110.
Medimap.ca is Canada's largest and fastest growing online resource for connecting patients with same-day access to care. Currently, over 900 medical clinics in 5 provinces update their wait times to Medimap.ca in order to improve access to care for their patients.
The following community resources are available to provide substance use and addiction support:
- HealthLink BC: Mental health and substance use information
- StopOverdoseBC.ca: Overdose awareness and support
- Toward the Heart (BC Centre for Disease Control): Harm reduction and overdose response
- Here to Help: Mental health and alcohol and other drug use information
Wellness Together Canada provides connections to mental health and substance use support, resources, and counselling with a mental health professional. This hub allows you to choose from a variety of resources to motivate and support your wellness journey. Wellness Together Canada provides tailored support programs and general resources for adults and for youth.
Visit the Wellness Together website for additional information and supports.
- COVID-19 and Anxiety (Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division)
- Mental Health First Aid - COVID-19 Self-Care & Resilience Guide (.PDF Document) (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
- Wellbeing Resources for Postdoctoral Fellows (.PDF Document)
CHILDCARE
Childcare at UBC is managed by UBC Child Care Services. Please refer to their website for COVID-19 news and updates. Child Care Services has also created a frequently-asked questions document (.PDF format) with information and updates on a wide range of COVID-19-related questions and concerns.
Are there any other resources for finding child care at UBC Vancouver?
Faculty, staff and students in Vancouver who are looking for childcare support in their homes can post a request on the CareersOnline job board, which is available to match diploma and certificate students in the Faculty of Education’s Early Childhood Education program (who are experienced caregivers and have current criminal record checks). To use this service, faculty, staff and students can create an employer profile on CareersOnline, using an UBC email address. Once your employer account is approved, you can create a job posting with a description of the position, salary/wage, and qualifications. Select “Education/Teaching” as your preferred degree/discipline to indicate you are looking for Early Childhood Education students. Please see the tip sheet for items of consideration when posting a childcare job.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND AID PACKAGES
The PDFO is currently researching the various government supports and aid packages that have been announced at both the federal and provincial levels. For additional information, including eligibility criteria and application procedures, please refer to:
IMMIGRATION INQUIRIES AND ISSUES
Please contact the Housing and Relocation Services Office with any questions or concerns relating to your immigration status during the COVID-19 outbreak. You can reach this office via their consultation form.
INCOMING POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Please be advised that the Postdoctoral Fellows Office staff is not able to advise on issues related to immigration. Please contact Housing and Relocation Services for any questions related to immigration.
Please contact your department administrator with any questions about your start date. If you do not know your department administrator, contact the PDFO. So we can best assist you, please include the name of the department or unit listed on your offer letter.
If you are an incoming Postdoctoral Fellow and will need to self-isolate, please refer to the self-isolation section below.
PDF Town hall
The PDFO held a virtual Town Hall for Postdoctoral Fellows on Monday, June 29, 2020 featuring Dr. Gail Murphy (Vice President, Research & Innovation), Dr. Susan Porter (Dean and Vice Provost, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies), and Karen Vaughan (Director, UBC Child Care Services).
Click here to read a summary of the information discussed in this PDF Town Hall.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We are currently reviewing all of our current professional development programming, and will be looking at alternate-format delivery when feasible. Those events that cannot be accommodate via alternate-format delivery may be cancelled or postponed.
For a list of currently-available professional development sessions, including registration information, please refer to the Professional Development page of the PDFO website.
The following online learning and professional development resources are available for the UBC postdoc community:
- Online Learning with Mitacs Training:
- Online, on-demand and self-paced learning on subjects including:
- Communicating Your Research
- Cross-Cultural Team Communications
- Managing Project Timelines
- Practical Tips for Growing Your Network
- Time Management
- Writing Effective Emails
- Writing Strategic Business Reports
- Online, on-demand and self-paced learning on subjects including:
- Individual Development Plans
- Free online career exploration and planning tools:
- For postdocs in the Humanities and Social Sciences:ImaginePhD
- For postdocs in the Sciences: myIDP
- Free online career exploration and planning tools:
- National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
- Workshops and programs on a variety of topics, such as increasing research productivity, dissertation success, and maintaining work-life balance, as well as networking opportunities.
- To create an account:
- Visit UBC’s page at www.facultydiversity.org/institutions/ubc
- Click “Activate my Membership”. Please note you will need an email address ending in “ubc.ca”.
- Create a profile.
- If you have any problems creating your profile or accessing the site, please contact membership@facultydiversity.org
- NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE)
- Offers weekly webinars on a variety of topics.
- Beyond the Professoriate
- An online career planning and development tool.
Please view the Professional Development page of the PDFO website for a list of additional upcoming online webinars and workshops.
RE-occupancy & resumption plans
Re-occupancy and resumption plans are being handled by each faculty. Please contact your department administrator for information about plans for your specific unit.
General information about re-occupancy & resumption plans can be found on the UBC COVID-19 website.
Information specific to UBC Vancouver can be found on the Safety & Risk Services website.
Information specific to UBC Okanagan can be found on the UBCO Finance and Operations website.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
A free program provided through the Canadian Mental Health Association. Provides access weekly calls and activities including workbooks, activities, videos, or trained mental health coaches who can provide up to 6 phone sessions. Delivery formats include coaching, an online program, or online video.
Please visit the BounceBack website for more information and to register.
Provides parents and caregivers of children in grades K - 12 with activities that focus on strategies for creating calming routines, speaking about difficult emotions, and managing anxiety.
Visit the EASE program website for additional information.
Provides post-secondary students with free, confidential, single-session services by app, telephone, or online chat, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Visit here2talk.ca for additional information and to access this resource.
An interactive, 8-week online course based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy delivered in 90-minute sessions and provided through the Canadian Mental Health Association. Available for youth ages 13-18 and for adults.
Please visit the Living Life to the Full website for more information and to register.
Provides free, virtual learning tools aimed at students experiencing anxiety and social isolation, with an emphasis on social-emotional learning and resiliency.
Visit the WE Well-being Initiative website for additional information.
SELF-ISOLATION RESOURCES
UBC Student Housing and Community Services offers self-isolation packages on both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan campuses. Visit the following websites for additional information:
TEACHING
To better support postdocs and others with teaching remotely, UBC has created a Keep Teaching website that offers resources and support to help you develop your own strategies for meeting the needs of your courses online. The website also has guidance on how to prepare to offer lectures, group work and discussion, assignments and assessments online.
Faculty and teaching assistants at UBC Vancouver are invited to learn more about the process for transitioning classes to an online delivery format through the website of the VP Academic + Provost.
For postdocs at UBC Okanagan, the Center for Teaching and Learning has additional resources.
TRI-AGENCY FELLOWSHIPS
If you hold a tri-agency fellowship, please refer to the appropriate tri-agency website for updates on COVID-19 and its impact on tri-agency policies, programs, and operations.
Tri-Agency Message on COVID-19
Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund Stage 4 funding launched
- CIHR
- NSERC
- Making Connections - Industry, Not-for-Profit, and Public Sector Organizations: If you are from an industry, not-for-profit or public sector organization that is addressing a challenge related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and could benefit from expertise in natural sciences and engineering, please complete this survey.
- Making Connections - Researchers: If you are a researcher from a Canadian college or university who is eligible to apply to an NSERC grant and is interested in helping an organization address a challenge or question related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the list of project opportunities.
- SSHRC
- SSHRC has created a new Extranet for Applicants, a portal designed to allow applicants to access the results of their SSHRC applications.
Visit the Office of Research Services (ORS) website for updates from funding agencies related to application deadlines and other process changes and announcements.
UBC ANNOUNCEMENTS
In line with UBC and provincial health authority guidelines, the Equity and Inclusion office is taking the following precautions and shifting and adapting the way they are delivering their services.
- Human rights advising services remain available to UBC students, staff and faculty. Services will be provided via email, telephone consultation or other virtual system as appropriate. Should you have any concerns of discrimination (Policy SC7), please contact the human rights team.
- As the office is closed, should you have an inquiry about any of their resources or consultation services, please submit a consultation service request.
The Equity and Inclusion team will work to address your needs remotely as best as they can. Please refer to their website for additional information.
Read this announcement in full.
We encourage all postdocs to review this announcement and work with their PIs and units on how best to continue their work in a safe manner. If you have any questions or concerns about working remotely, please connect with your units directly, as they are in the best position to provide assistance and support.
Virtual Events and Activities
UBC Internal Communications has compiled a list of virtual events and activities available to the UBC community:
- Arts and Culture: UBC Arts talks, performances, and exhibits
- Climate Change and Urban Forestry: Citizen's Coolkit
- Community Engagement: UBC Connects lectures
- Online Science Education: Science education and activities for kids
- Play and Learn from Home: Activities for parents working from home
Latest COVID-19 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Please refer to the following reliable sources of information for additional information about COVID-19:
- World Health Organization
- https://www.who.int/
- Q&A on coronaviruses - https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
- https://www.who.int/
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Government of Canada Travel
FAQ (Postdoctoral fellows)
The Postdoctoral Fellows Office is currently closed to the public. However, the PDFO team continues to maintain operations. Following UBC's March 16 recommendation to implement remote work, the PDFO team is working remotely and there may be a delay in service as a result. Please contact the PDFO via email at postdoctoral.fellows@ubc.ca.
Confidential and voluntary counselling support service is available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), provided through Morneau Shepell. Appointments are available in multiple languages and formats, and counsellors can help with a range of issues including stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. The Morneau Shepell Care Access Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-387-4765 or through workhealthlife.com.
The British Columbia Psychological Association (BCPA) is currently offering free "Psychological First Aid" telephone consultations to any BC resident age 19+ affected by the COVID-19 pandemic These telephone consultations are up to 30 minutes and are designed to provide information and strategies to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please visit the BCPA website for additional information and to access this resource.
The Psychological Support Service is not the same as a crisis line. If you are in a crisis, please visit go to https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/ or call 1-800-SUICIDE. If your crisis is an emergency, call 911.
We are currently reviewing all of our current professional development programming, and will be looking at alternate-format delivery when feasible. Those events that cannot be accommodate via alternate-format delivery may be cancelled or postponed.
The following PDFO events have been cancelled due to COVID-19:
- Foundations of Project Management I (with Mitacs Training)
- Foundations of Project Management II (with Mitacs Training)
- Immigration Information Sessions
- Postdoctoral Fellows Immigration Clinics
For a list of currently-available professional development sessions, including registration information, please refer to the Professional Development page of the PDFO website.
Global Affairs Canada has issued an advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. To limit the spread of COVID-19, many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures such as movement restrictions and quarantines. As a result, your travel plans may be severely disrupted and/or you may be forced to remain outside of Canada longer than expected. For information on the global travel advisory, please click here.
If you are an international Postdoctoral Fellow and are experiencing difficulties returning to Canada, please contact the Housing and Relocation Services Office for assistance. This team has 3 Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) on staff who may be able to assist.
The support services provided through the Employee & Family Assistance Program are accessible to UBC postdocs at all times, even when outside of Canada.