
If you have questions or concerns about getting the help you need, or have suggestions about how the Faculty of Medicine can better support your overall wellbeing, please contact Karen Ross, your Graduate & Postdoctoral Wellbeing Support Coordinator.
For a list of upcoming events, please take a look at our event calendar.
FIND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
UBC Counselling Services currently offers appointments by phone. Students can call 604-822-3811 to schedule a Wellness Advising appointment (the starting point for connecting to resources such as brief counselling). Services are free of charge to UBC students.
UBC Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a free, 24/7 wellness resource that provides UBC students with personal counselling, life coaching, financial and nutrition advice, and more. Within North America call 1 833 590 1328; anywhere else in the world call 1 604 757 9734. Support is available in multiple languages and via phone, video, face-to-face (in some locations), and instant messaging or chat counselling. Access the service through phone, text, app, or live chat on the website (use UBCV for both the student code and password).
Studentcare/Pacific Blue Cross includes counselling and mental health benefits of up to $500 per academic year for all students enrolled in UBC GSS’s Student Health & Dental Plan (Studentcare). Many practitioners offer services online or by phone. Students who have opted out of the GSS Health & Dental Plan may have similar coverage through an equivalent extended benefits plan.
Vancouver Coastal Health Access & Assessment Centre serves as an entry point for mental health and/or substance use services through Vancouver Coastal Health.
TALK TO SOMEONE NOW
UBC Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a free, 24/7 wellness resource that provides UBC students with immediate support, personal counselling, life coaching, financial and nutrition advice, and more. Within North America call 1 833 590 1328; anywhere else in the world call 1 604 757 9734. Support is available in multiple languages. You can talk to a counsellor at any time, or choose to book an appointment for later. Access the service through phone, text, app, or live chat on the website (use UBCV for both the student code and password).
Here2Talk offers 24/7 confidential, single-session counselling services by app, phone or online chat. Free to all BC postsecondary students.
Drop-in Virtual Counselling is available, by phone, through UBC Counselling Services.
Virtual Coffee Chats are confidential, supportive conversations with a Faculty of Medicine staff or faculty member. Although they are not 24/7, on weekdays students can often arrange a same-day or next-day appointment.
BC-wide crisis line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Online crisis chat also available.
HealthLink BC provides health information, including a COVID Symptom Self-Assessment tool. Call 8-1-1 to speak with a health services navigator, registered nurse, pharmacist, or registered dietician.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline offers mental health counselling, crisis support, and referrals for Indigenous peoples across Canada. Indigenous folks in BC can also call the KUU-US Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717.
CONNECT WITH PEERS
AMS Peer Support provides free, confidential, one-on-one peer support for UBC students and staff facing a wide variety of challenges.
UBC Counselling Services offers online group programs, including a Graduate Student Online Support Group, where you can learn new skills and connect with fellow students. Information about upcoming groups can be found here.
The Faculty of Medicine is piloting a Peer Mentorship Program, and some graduate programs have their own opportunities for peer mentorship.
LEARN NEW TOOLS & SKILLS
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies offers many excellent workshops and events through the Graduate Pathways to Success program. Wellbeing-focused topics include overcoming perfectionism, time management, assertiveness, communication skills, and more.
Wellbeing Convene is a series of webinars for all members of the Faculty of Medicine community. Faculty of Medicine faculty and researchers will share their knowledge and facilitate discussion on a range of wellbeing topics, inviting people from across the Faculty to connect and learn together in new ways.
TAO Self-help Resources include online modules and tools on stress, anxiety, relationship problems, substance use, and more. Also includes a library of mindfulness exercises. Register with a UBC email.
STAY WELL
Wellness Centre Online is a Canvas space for engaging in topics relevant to your wellbeing. All UBC students can self-enroll.
The Thrive 5 are simple, easy-to-implement, and evidence-based ways to help support your mental health.
UBC Recreation offers free at-home workouts, live movement sessions, and many other tips and resources, plus up-to-date information about fitness & recreational facilities.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has prepared a Self-Care and Resilience Guide during COVID-19.
UBC COVID-19 INFORMATION AND UPDATES
Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies COVID-19 Updates on FAQs related to funding, assessments, dissertations, housing, international student specific information, etc.
Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Updates includes FAQs for research trainees.
UBC Central COVID-19 Service Updates includes updates on services such as the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office; AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre; Centre for Accessibility; Advising; etc.
UBC Central lists resources for mental health during COVID-19.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The UBC Grad Student Wellbeing Network has prepared a comprehensive Wellbeing Resource Folder that can be downloaded from the GrasPods website.
EVENT CALENDAR

- Adapting to COVID-19: Mental Wellness in Challenging Times on October 8, 2020 11:00 am
- Webinar: Panic to Power – Build Your Confidence on October 9, 2020 11:00 am
- Wellbeing Convene: Health, Wellness, & Happiness with JC Lucas on October 9, 2020 12:00 pm
- NIH Becoming a Resilient Scientist Series: Exploring our Self-Talk – Cognitive Distortions & Imposter Fears on October 13, 2020 11:00 am
- Intentional WellBEing – Bliss Yoga: Let Go of the Day on October 14, 2020 4:45 pm
- Graduate Wellness Group Discussion: Career Uncertainty on October 20, 2020 12:30 pm
- Intentional WellBEing: Un-desk your Body on October 20, 2020 12:30 pm
- Intentional WellBEing: How Racism in our Hospitals Affects Patient Care on October 22, 2020 2:00 pm
- Wellbeing Convene: Mindful Healing with Dr. Dzung Vo on October 26, 2020 12:00 pm
- Intentional WellBEing: Un-desk your Body on October 27, 2020 12:30 pm
- Leveraging your Strengths to Strategize for Success on October 27, 2020 4:00 pm
- Leveraging Your Strengths to Strategize for Success on October 29, 2020 12:00 pm
- Community Resilience and Wellbeing Amid Climate Crisis on November 24, 2020 12:30 pm
- Mental Health Moments Series: Social Connection and Relationships on November 26, 2020 1:00 pm
- The Power of Setting a Daily Intention on November 27, 2020 9:00 am
- The Cycle of Transformation on November 27, 2020 10:00 am
- Midday Yoga Break on November 27, 2020 11:00 am
- Exploring Racism in Healthcare and Medical Education through the Lens of Mindfulness: A Conversation on November 27, 2020 12:00 pm
- From Moral Distress to Moral Resilience: Moving from Inaction to Ethical Empowerment on November 27, 2020 1:45 pm
- Fri-YAY Zumba Party on November 27, 2020 4:00 pm
- GSS Thrive: The Great Disconnect Screening & Grad Peer Round Table on November 30, 2020 6:00 pm