Mental health supports

Many students, faculty, and staff may feel anxious or uncertain as they navigate campus life. Supporting mental health and wellbeing remains essential across all post-secondary environments. A range of services and resources are available to help individuals access timely support and stay connected to care.

General Mental Health and Wellness Resources

• BCCampus Mental Health and Wellness - supports and strengthens B.C.’s public post-secondary system by advancing innovative, inclusive, and open teaching and learning practices and provides sector-wide collaboration and professional development for mental health wellness.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) - provides information and resources to communities to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behaviour.
• Capacity to Connect - a program that provides faculty and staff at post-secondary institutions with easy access to the tools and skills they need to provide intervention and help for students who are struggling with their mental health and wellness.
• Crisis Centre BC - offers immediate, 24/7 access to barrier-free, non-judgmental support and provides education and training to empower communities to assist those at risk of suicide.
• Foundry BC - a province-wide network of centres and online services that provide integrated mental health, substance use, physical health, and social supports for young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers.
• Here to Help - a collaboration of seven leading B.C. mental health and substance-use non-profits offering accessible, evidence-based information and resources.
• Here2Talk - a free and confidential 24/7 mental-health counselling and referral service available to all B.C. post-secondary students.
• Let’s Talk About Suicide: Raising Awareness and Supporting Students - a facilitator’s guide offering detailed, sensitive training for faculty and staff on suicide awareness and response.

Substance Use Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - provides peer supported recovery meetings for individuals seeking support with alcohol use.
• BC. Drug and Poison Information Centre - offers 24/7 telephone support and clinical guidance for drug and poison exposures, including overdose information.
• DrugAwareBC - provides information tools, and resources to help people understand substance use, reduce harms, and make informed decisions about drugs.
• Drug Checking B.C. - provides information on drug-checking services across the province to help people identify substances and reduce potential harms.
• HelpStartsHere - offers information on staying safer when using drugs, recognizing and responding to overdose, and accessing treatment and recovery services.
• Lifeguard App - a mobile application designed to support people who use substances alone by connecting them to emergency assistance if needed.
• Mental Health and Substance Use Services - a centralized portal to crisis lines, navigation supports, local health-authority contacts, and treatment options across the province.
• Naloxone 101 - training offered by Toward the Heart that supports individuals in learning how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses and using naloxone.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) - provides peer supported recovery meeting for individuals seeking support with substance use.
• National Overdose Response Service  (NORS) - a virtual overdose prevention service offering phone-based support and emergency response for people using substances alone.
• RespondToOverdose - provides practical guidance on recognizing overdose signs and responding safely, including step-by-step instructions and links to further supports.
• Tailgate Toolkit – a free program supporting workers in construction, trades, transportation, and forestry with substance use, mental health, pain management, and workplace safety resources.
• Toward the Heart - a provincial harm-reduction resource hub offering tools, information, and training to support safer substance use practices.

Indigenous Specific Resources

• First Nations Health Authority tools and resources:
  • Courageous Conversations Toolkit - supports brave, honest conversations about substance use by challenging assumptions and encouraging new ways of understanding.
  • Indigenous Harm Reduction - provides culturally grounded harm reduction information, tools, and teaching designed specifically for Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.
  • Mental Health and Wellness Supports - provides culturally grounded mental health and wellness resources for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.
  • Substance Use and Healing - offers culturally grounded guidance, supports, and teachings to help Indigenous peoples navigate substance use with safety, dignity, and connection to culture.
• KUU-US Crisis Response Service - a culturally aware crisis support is available 24/7 to Indigenous people in B.C.
• With Open Arms - offers culturally grounded harm reduction and wellness supports for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.

Campus-Based Supports

• Counselling Departments - provide trained counsellors offering career, educational, personal, and crisis counselling for students.
• Multifaith Centres, Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care - offer one-on-one pastoral or spiritual counselling and communal gatherings to support health and well-being.
• Spirituality and Wellness Centres - provide on-on-one health and wellness planning and connections to holistic, campus-based supports for students.