Wellbeing

Being at university and living in a different country can cause stress and anxiety—but you are not alone. There are many services and resources on campus and off campus that can help improve your physical and mental health.

If you have questions about our list of resources list, email undergrad@psych.ubc.ca.

UBC life and academic tips, resources, and advice

General Information

Early Alert

Faculty in the Department of Psychology participate in the Early Alert program, which helps us support students who are struggling in life and/or school. More information

Campus Lightbox

Campus Lightbox centralizes information about mental health and wellbeing resources on campus, and how students can best access them. More information

Health and Wellness

The Faculty of Arts has complied a list of health and wellness support options available to students. More information

UBC’s Student Health and Dental Plan (Studentcare)

Studentcare covers 100% of the cost of a registered psychologist or clinical counsellor up to $300 per year. Eligible prescription drugs are covered up to 80%. All students who pay AMS fees are automatically covered. More information

Emergency Resources

If you feel you or someone else might be in danger of hurting themselves or someone else, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest Emergency Room right away.

ResourceWhere and WhenServices Cost
UBC Hospital Urgent Care
Centre


Phone: (604) 822-7662
OR 9-1-1
OR (604) 822-2222 (campus security)
UBC Hospital
Koerner Pavilion
2211 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 2B5

Every day 8am-10pm
  • Emergency services for acute distress (including risk of suicide)

  • Sexual assault services

Free
Vancouver General Hospital Emergency

Phone: (604) 875-4111 Ext. 55657

OR any hospital
emergency room

Phone: 9-1-1
Vancouver General Hospital, Segal Family Health Centre,
Level 1
803 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 1M9

24/7, 365 days/year

  • Emergency services for acute distress (including risk of suicide)

Free
Vancouver Access & Assessment Centre

Phone: (604) 675-3700

(24-hour crisis line, 365 days/year)
Vancouver General Hospital

Segal Family Health Centre, Level 1

803 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 1M9

24/7, 365 days/year

  • Alternative to the Emergency Department for non-life-threatening mental health and/or substance use challenges.

  • Services include mobile response for crisis assessment and resolution, referrals to mental health teams, health care professionals or other agencies.

  • Includes assistance for friends and family members of suffering individuals

  • Staff includes registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and social workers, psychiatrists and reception staff who are there to help 24/7

Free – Should be covered by BC MSP
SAFER Counselling
Services


Phone: (604) 675-3700

Brochure
Vancouver General Hospital Segal Family Health Centre,
Level 1
803 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 1M9

Access & Assessment Centre (which handles referrals) open 24/7
  • Referrals are made through the Access & Assessment Centre, details above

  • Free, time-limited counselling.

  • Can help you if you are feeling suicidal, are concerned about someone who is suicidal, or are experiencing suicide bereavement.

  • Offer educational workshops in Suicide Intervention and Suicide Bereavement for members of the Greater Vancouver community.

Free – Should be covered by BC MSP
BC Crisis Centre

Website

Phone: (604) 872-3311

Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433

Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code)

Crisis Chat
Online or by phone
  • 24/7 Distress Phone Services are free and available to 2 million people on the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky corridor, Sunshine Coast and in Powell River.

  • Crisis Chat for youth and adults 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.

  • Available in over 140 languages

Free
VictimLinkBC

Toll Free Line: 1-800-563-0808

TTY for hard-of-hearing:

Call (604) 875-0885

Text (604) 836-6381
By phone
Available 24/7

  • Information and referral services for victims of crime

  • Immediate crisis support for victims of family/domestic and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking

  • Can refer to community, social, health, justice, and government resources, including victim services, transition houses, and counselling

  • Can provide information on the justice system, relevant federal and provincial legislation, crime prevention, safety planning, protection order registries, and more

Free
Distress Line

Toll Free Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
By phone
Available 24/7
If you are in distress and may hurt yourself, or are worried about someone else’s safety, call this number.Free
KUU-US Crisis Line Society

Website

Adult/Elder: (250) 723-4050

Child/Youth: (250) 723-2040
Online or by phone
Available 24/7
Aboriginal students throughout BC may call this number to receive 24/7 support when in distress.Free

Wellbeing Resources

Name, Website, and
Contact Information
Where and WhenServicesCost
UBC Counselling Services

Website 

Phone: (604) 822-3811
Brock Hall
1874 East Mall Room 1040

First Nations Longhouse
1985 West Mall

Lower Mall Research Station
2259 Lower Mall
Room 358

Oak Street Campus
Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of BC
4500 Oak Street

Check website for walk-in hours
  • Drop-in and emergency counselling


  • Specific services provided for Aboriginal students


  • Sexual assault counselling


  • Can help students with ongoing concerns that are affecting academics, sleep, or motivation, including sadness, stress, anxiety, relationship troubles, loss/grief, past experience of physical, sexual or emotional violence, or other mental health challenges.


  • Wellness Advisors are trained Masters-level counsellors who meet students for a one-time 15-20 minute assessment. They’ll listen to your needs and connect you with resources to best help you reach your goals. This could include self-directed resources, workshops and coaching, group therapy, or individual therapy.


Free for students
Student Health Services

Website

Phone: (604) 822-7011

Email:
student.health@ubc.ca
UBC Hospital

2211 Wesbrook Mall
Koerner Pavilion
Room M334

Most weekdays 8am-4pm
  • Offers a wide range of health assessments and treatments provided by doctors, nurses, and specialists.


  • Referrals to specialists (e.g., psychiatrists)


  • Services offered include sexual health and birth control, mental/health illness, sports medicine, injuries and wound care, immunization and allergy care.


  • Students can book appointments online


Free
UBC Wellness Centre
(Student Services)


Website

Phone: (604) 822-8450

Email:
wellness.centre@ubc.ca
Wellness Centre
6138 Student Union Boulevard
Room 1301

Most weekdays 10am-5pm

Check the calendar on the website for daily peer hours and events
  • Speak trained student volunteers who can answer your questions, talk with you, and recommend resources for everyday concerns related to health, relationships, and workload.


  • Talk to a nurse about any health concern during Nurse on Campus hours


  • Wellness Peers can help with more than mental health. They know a lot about sexual health, academic stress, and student life.


Free
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response

Website

Phone: (604) 822-1588

Email: 
svpro.vancouver@ubc.ca
Orchard Commons
6363 Agronomy Road
Room 4071

Mon to Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
  • A safe place for students who have experienced sexual assault, regardless of when or where it took place, to get the support they need.


  • All gender identities, expressions and sexualities are welcome.


  • If you’ve been assaulted within the last 7 days, there is a special team of nurses at the hospital who can help you. You may need medical attention even if you don’t have visible signs of injury.


  • If you have been drugged, choked, strangled or have difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, go to the nearest hospital immediately.


  • Can help you find somewhere safe to stay, go with you to the hospital/police/court, arrange academic and workplace concessions, and explain your reporting options


Free
AMS Peer Support

Website

Phone: (604) 822-9246

Email:
peersupport@ams.ubc.ca
AMS Nest
6133 University Boulevard

Monday-Thursday 9am-7:30pm
Friday
9am-4:30pm
  • AMS Peer Support services have launched and are now available for appointments. Our trained volunteer team provides free, confidential, one-on-one virtual peer support for UBC students and staff facing a wide variety of challenges.


  • Book an appointment online


Free
AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC)

Website

Phone: (604) 827-5180

Email: sasc@ams.ubc.ca
AMS Nest
6133 University Boulevard
Room 3127

Every day 8am-10pm
  • Crisis and emotional support for sexual assault survivors and their friends and family members


  • Referrals to other services as needed


  • Services include Crisis and short-term emotional support, support groups, advocacy, education and outreach, community lending library, and a resource area.


Free
The Kaleidoscope

Website

Email: info@the-kaleidoscope.com
Buchanan Building


General Public: BUCH D214
Wednesdays 6-7pm

PUG: WOOD B75 Mondays 5-6pm

SHARE: IBLC 461
1st Monday of each month


Check the website as group times and locations change frequently!
  • Support and programming initiatives designed to remove barriers for students with disabilities and facilitates disability related accommodations for members of the UBC Vancouver community.


  • Includes academic and exam accommodations


Free
AMS Food Bank


Website

Phone: 604 822-2371

Email:
foodbank@ams.ubc.ca
Life Building

6138 Student Union Blvd
Room 0032 

Monday: 10AM-4PM
Thursday: 10AM-6PM
  • Offer various non-perishable foods, personal hygiene supplies, budgeting tips and information on additional resources in and around Vancouver.


  • Dependent on donations from the community.


  • Current UBC students can use the Food Bank in emergency situations up to 6 times per term. Individuals receive one bag of groceries each visit and families, two.


  • Provide referrals to other Lower Mainland Food banks.


  • Trust-based system – will not turn any UBC student away.


Free
UBC Recreation

Website

Phone: (604) 822-6000

(for intramurals inquiries)

Email: fitness.programs@ubc.ca
(for fitness program
and personal training
inquiries)
Various locations and hours depending on the activity or service
  • Website for all things recreation at UBC including:



    • BirdCoop Fitness Centre


    • Personal training


    • Aquatics


    • Drop-in dance, martial arts, pilates, yoga, fitness classes Hockey and ice skating


    • Rowing


    • Sports clubs


    • Intramural leagues




Various
Mindfulness & Meditation

Website
Online/various locations and hours
  • Website that lists all mindfulness meditation opportunities in the UBC community, including drop-in meditation groups and spaces and a self-led online challenge


Various
Mood Disorders

Website

Phone: (604) 822-7512
Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
  • A psychiatric program designed to diagnose and treat mood related disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.


Various
Name, Website, and
Contact Information
Where and WhenServicesCost
CounsellingBC.com

Website
Online

Location and hours depend on the
psychologist or counsellor
  • Directory of registered clinical psychologists and counsellors who work across BC


  • Brief profiles for each psychologist and counsellor


Free to use the website

Psychologist/ counsellor rates vary
BC Psychological Association

Website

Phone: (604) 730-0522

Contact Form
Online

Location and hours depend on the psychologist
Free to use the website

Psychologist rates vary (current average rate is about
$200/hour, but can have sliding scales)
Vancouver Recovery Club

Website 

Phone: (604) 708-9955

Email:  info@vancouverrecoveryclub.com
Main & Broadway

2775 Sophia Street
Vancouver, BC V5T 3L1

24-hour drop-in and referral centre
  • A non-profit organization providing support services to individuals seeking recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.


  • Services also promote compassionate, continuous and discreet care for individuals to stay connected with the recovery process.


  • Group support meetings covering a very broad range of 12-Step programs


  • One-on-one counselling available Mondays 4-8 pm


Free
Battered Women’s Support Services

Website

Crisis Line: (604) 687-1867

Email: information@bwss.org
Commercial Drive

1424 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5L 5G2

Crisis & intake hours:
Weekdays 10am-5pm +
Wednesday 10-8pm

Contact for counselling
hours
  • Provide education, advocacy, and support services and work toward the elimination of violence from a feminist perspective that promotes equality for all women.


  • Services include a crisis and intake telephone line, counselling, support groups, and several programs tailored to specific groups (e.g., Indigenous Women’s Program; AWARE Program to help women find employment; LGBTQ2S and non-binary survivors of violence group; etc. Full list


Free
Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Website

Phone: (604) 731 4951
Various locations

Commercial Drive
201-1638 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 3E2

Richmond
The Caring Place
250-7000 Minoru Blvd
Richmond, BC V6Y 3Z5

Burnaby/New West
321 Sixth Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 3A7

Surrey
15355 102A Avenue
Surrey, BC V3R 7K1

  • Trained counsellors with graduate degrees in counselling psychology and clinical social work


  • Individual, parent, and family programs - see full list


Sliding scale
depending on
household
income and
counsellor
($75-125/hour)
Burnaby Family Life

Website

Phone: (604) 659-2205

Email: bfl_info@burnabyfamilylife.org
Burnaby

102-2101 Holdom Ave
Burnaby, BC V5B 0A4


  • Education programs, support groups, and counselling services for women, children, and families, particularly those who have experienced domestic violence and/or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse


  • Programs include Violence Against Women, Children Who Witness Abuse, Keeping Cool for Parents, Anger Management for Men, Immigrant Women’s Support Group, Single Mother’s Support Group, and Money Skills


Group
counselling is by
donation
Name, Website, and Contact InformationServicesCost
UBC Student Services 

Website

  • Find tips, resources, and in-person support on various health topics including: depression, stress and anxiety, and sex and sexual health.


  • Self-guided tutorials and links to further resources


  • Crisis Support


Free
MindHealthBC

Website

  • Make it easy to connect with information and resources for those struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health or substance abuse conditions.


  • Find help and resources for yourself or someone you know.


  • Take a short screening quiz to get tailored advice and resources. The quiz will not give you a diagnosis.


  • Bounce Back Online self-help programs and full programs with telephone coaching.


  • Comprehensive resource list


Free to use the website

Individual services may vary
Foundry

Website

  • Website with information to support young people aged 12-24 and their families with easy access to care across and variety of issues including anxiety and depression, reaching a family doctor, stress, etc.


  • You can also visit them in-person at 1260 Granville Street, where they are open weekdays 9am-6pm and offer counselling, peer support, primary care, social services, and educational resources to youth ages 12-24


Free
Anxiety Canada

Website

  • Website offering information and self-help resources for individuals of all ages who struggle, or who know someone that struggles, with anxiety and anxiety disorders.

Free
Kelty’s Key: Online Therapy

Website

Phone: (604) 675-3700

  • Confidential online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy service.


  • Custom online courses developed by Clinical experts in CBT including courses on depression, anxiety, family support, insomnia, and panic. Available to everyone free, no sign up necessary.


  • As an eligible client, you will have regular contact with a VCH psychotherapist via encrypted email. Your psychotherapist will provide guidance and support as you work through our program.


  • Call the Access and Assessment Centre at VGH for information on signing up (604-675-3700)


Free
BC Crisis Centre

Website

Phone: (604) 872-3311

Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433

Crisis Chat

  • 24/7 Distress Phone Services are free and available to 2 million people on the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky corridor, Sunshine Coast and in Powell River.


  • Crisis Chat for youth and adults 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.


Free
KUU-US Crisis Line Society

Website

Adult/Elder Crisis Line: (250) 723-4050

Child/Youth Crisis Line: (250) 723-2040

Toll Free Line: 1-800-588-8717

Email: kuu-usexecutivedirector@shaw.ca

  • A 24 hour provincial aboriginal crisis line for Adults/Elders and Children/Youth.


  • Risk Assessments


  • Safety Monitoring


  • 24 hour Crisis Mobile Outreach (Funded by BC Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch)


  • H.O.P.E and HOMEFULNESS* Programs


  • Weekend Indoor and Mobile Outreach


  • Transitional Housing


  • Drop In Services


  • Fresh Start Program


  • New Beginnings Program


  • Community Voicemail Program


Free
BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service

Lower Mainland Phone: (604) 660-9382

Toll Free: 1-800-663-1441

Website

  • 24/7 phone line providing information, options, and support for those struggling with drug and alcohol use whether it’s you or someone you care about.


  • Can refer to a full range of counselling and treatment services across BC and provide information on prevention resources, support groups, and addiction-related topics


  • Multilingual


  • Confidential



Free
MindShift

Website

iOS Download (iTunes Store)

Android Download (Google Play Store)

  • Anxiety management app


  • Includes basic information on anxiety, checklists to help you learn more about your own anxiety, cognitive-behavioural strategies for managing your anxiety, and relaxation exercises


Free

 

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