Support options & 24-hour resources
Please know that support is available. There are many resources and supports at UVic and in our community.
24-hour & crisis supports
Report an emergency
To report an emergency, call 9-1-1 first, then contact Campus Security at 250-721-7599.| Service | Phone |
|---|---|
|
Campus security (available 24 hours a day) |
250-721-7599 |
| Free & confidential mental health support service for UVic students. Connect with qualitified counsellors, consultants and life coaches 24/7 from anywhere in the world. |
1-844-773-1427 (toll-free within Canada) 1-250-999-7621 (International collect calls) |
|
Vancouver Island Crisis Line (available 24 hours a day) For emotional support and connection to local services 24-hours a day, every day of the year. |
1‑888‑494‑3888 (toll-free within Canada) |
|
Suicide Crisis Helpline (available 24 hours a day) |
988 (call or text) |
|
Crisis Response, Community-Led Team (available daily 7:30 am - 12:30 am) A mobile team that includes individuals with lived experience and mental health professionals. It focuses on health, well-being and community support. |
250-818-2454 |
| Support for suspected poisoning by a chemical, drug or other substance | 1-800-567-8911 (toll-free) 604-682-5050 |
| If you have experienced sexualized violence, SART can provide immediate emotional support, including accompanying you to the hospital. Available 24-hours a day through the Vancouver Island Crisis Line when you request to speak to a VSAC Sexual Assault Respont Team Support Worker. | 1‑888‑494‑3888 (toll-free within Canada) |
| Support is available 24/7 for Indigenous people throughout BC. | 1-800-588-8717 (toll-free) 250-723-4050 |
| A peer support phone service run by trans people for trans people. Emotional and financial support is available. | 1-877-330-6466 |
University resources
CAL works with students and faculty to promote educational equity and accessability for students. CAL can offer students with a disability or chronic diagnosis support and accommodations to help with academic success.
EQHR offers support and response options under the university's Sexualized Violence Prevention & Response Policy and Discrimination & Harrassment Policy.
The First People's House is a home-away-from-home for Indigenous students, providing a safe space for learning, sharing and community building. It offers cultural and academic programming, including:
- Elders in Residence
- wellness circles
- tutoring
- academic advising and counselling
- experiential learning opportunities
- financial aid
- leadership and community development opportunies
ICS provides international student services, including programs and information for students from pre-arrival to degree completion. International Student Advisers are regulated immigration practitioners who can provide advice about Canadian immigration documents and can explain ho UVic policies relate to international student status. Frontline advisers can provide guidance on topics like health insurance, housing, banking and more.
The OSL coordinates orientation and student leadership programming and also provides long-support to students through referrals. The OSL also works with the university community to help resolve student conduct concerns.
The Sexualized Violence Resource Office in EQHR offers information about consent, where/how to get support.
SAFA provides information about funding resources, expected costs, and strategies for budgeting. Support with loans, grants, scholarships, bursaries and the work-study program is also available.
Book an appointment with a counsellor, nurse, physician, spiritual care provider and more. Same day and pre-booked appointments are available.
The Multifaith Centre provides one-to-one spiritiual care as well as free, culturally diverse weekly activities, events and programs.
Resources in the Student Union Building (SUB)
uvicombudsperson.ca
250-721-8357
Available to students who would like to learn about fairness and processes followed at UVic. The Ombudsperson provides an independent, impartial, and confidential resource for students and other UVic community members to help resolve student concerns about fairness or disputes fairly.
antiviolenceproject.org
778-400-5007 (Support)
250-721-8080 (Office)
AVP offers services to people of all genders who have experienced gender-based violence themselves, to people who have caused harm and to people who are supporting those impacted by or causing harm. They provide emotional support, information about services on- and off-campus and help in connecting with the services that might be right for you.
The BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) support hub offers a collection of resources and supports for BIPOC students and community.
genderempowermentcentre.ca
250-721-8353
GEM offers an inclusive space for self-identified women, trans+ and gender nonconforming folks. GEM provides resources, workshops, events and more.
SSD is a student advocacy group that promotes the full participation and inclusion of students who self-identify as having one or more disabilities. Events, programs and workshops are offered as well as a bookable respite room.
The NSU runs events and programs, manages a student space with services and advocates for Indigenous student success and wellness at UVic.
The Peer Support Centre has trained student volunteers to listen and offer non-judgemental, empathetic and confidential support while helping fellow students navigate next-step resources and student life at UVic.
The Pride Collective advocates for 2SLGTBQIA+ folks at UVic and in the broader community and offers volunteer-run community circles, free gender affirming care supplies, events and a lounge with a queer lending library.
SOCC is a collective of self-identified BIPOC people at UVic. The work of the collective centres on art, awareness, education, action, advocacy and support. Anyone identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour) is welcome to use the lounge and resources.
The UVSS food bank provides a variety of foods, personal hygiene supplies and resources.
The Harm Reduction Centre helps students make informed and safer choices around sex and substance use. This includes providing harm reduction supplies and educational materials. Safer sex supplies, safer substance use supplies, Naloxone kits, Fentanyl test strips and educational material are available. Anonymous supply pickup options are possible.
Community resources
Provides emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as access to stabilizing services.
Emergency shelters
Next Steps
2317 Dowler Pl
250-381-2159
Rock Bay Landing
535 Ellice St.
250-383-1951
Sandy Merriman House (for women)
101-749 Pandora Ave
250-480-1408
A listing of meals and food banks available in the Greater Victoria Area.
Legal advocacy, support with income assistance, disability matters, residential tenancy disputes, employment standards complaints
foundrybc.ca/victoria
250-383-3552
Wellness resources for people ages 12-24, including physical and mental health care, gender affirming care, substance use supports, social services, peer support.
Connects BIPOC individuals with a BIPOC therapist in their community.
Mental health and supportive counselling for adults and youth
citizenscounselling.com
250-384-9934
Affordable, accessible counselling to adult residents of Greater Victoria.
Counselling supports for individuals, couples and family.
Building connection and community, providing access to healthcare and community resources.
Support for all Indigenous people living in southern Vancouver Island. Mental health & addictions counselling, mental health liaison, physical health support, family programming
Counselling supports for women and all transgender survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse.
transitionhouse.net
250-385-6611
Support and information for women who are either experiencing abuse or have experienced abuse in the past.
Outreach, harm reduction and education services for people in the sex industry.
Supports and resources for men*: Cis, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-Binary, 2spirit, gender fluid+ who have experienced emotional, physical or sexual trauma.
Supports and programs for people with disabilities to increase independent living and integration in all aspects of community.
Free and confidential drug checking to determine a sample's main active ingredients, fillers, unexpected drugs and the presence of fentanyl.