Supports
Support and Wellness Resources
Your wellness matters. We recognize that there may be times when you need additional care, connection or support for your mental, emotional, physical or spiritual well-being.
Indigenous students, staff and faculty are encouraged to reach out for support when they need it and to care for themselves in the ways that are right for them. A range of Indigenous-specific, university and community-based supports are available.
If you are seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, please review the resources below and connect with the service that best meets your needs.
Gerry Ambers (ʼNa̱mǥis / Kwakwaka'wakw), Elder-in-Residence at the First Peoples House, offers viewers several ways to stay calm and grounded in these challenging times. Produced by the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement at UVic.
SupportConnect
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental-health support service for UVic students. You can connect with qualified counsellors, consultants and life coaches by phone or online 24/7. Video or in-person options are available.
Toll-free (calls from North America): 1-844-773-1427
International collect calls: 1-250-999-7621
Counselling for Indigenous students
Indigenous counsellors provide individual and group counselling that treat the heart, body, mind and spirit for Indigenous students. Indigenous counselling sessions are flexible in length, you are seen on the spot for emergency appointments and in general, you can meet with the Indigenous counsellor without having to wait too long.
UVic Counselling Services
Located in the new Student Wellness Centre at 2300 McKenzie Ave., across the street from the CARSA gym. Counselling sessions for UVic students can be booked by calling 250-721-8563. Indigenous counsellors are available.
Noojimo Health
Provides confidential virtual mental health counselling for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals and their families. We provide support honouring your unique cultural identity, lived experiences, and worldview.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors. Toll-Free: 1-866-925-4419
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Mental Health Benefits
FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a comprehensive mental-health plan to First Nations in BC. The plan covers counselling services from qualified mental-health providers, including psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers.
Here2Talk
Connects students to mental-health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a BC post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community-referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.
The Vancouver Island Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line service to Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, as defined by Island Health. It operates 365 days a year. Crisis workers provide short-term, non-judgmental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information and resources. Toll-free: 1-888-494-3888
KUU-US Crisis Line Society
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial Aboriginal crisis line for adults/Elders and youth.
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Children/Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll-free Line: 1-800-588-8717
Smudging Guidelines
If smudging is part of how you care for yourself, connect with ceremony or find grounding, you can also review UVic’s Smudging Guidelines for information about smudging on campus.