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Enhancing Accessibility in Post-Secondary Education Institutions

Personal Counselling Services Resources

Included below are examples from PSE institutions across Canada that can assist in providing supportive and successful personal counselling for students dealing with mental health issues.

College/University Resources

Memorial University offers a variety of options for students with mental health issues including psychiatric services with access to a staff psychiatrist, chaplaincy services and a wellness program to educate students about self-care and healthy lifestyles. For more information see: http://www.mun.ca/counselling/home/
Trent University counselling services will refer students in need of more long-term therapeutic counselling to a firm of psychologists in the community. The psychologists will take the students on a 24 hour turnaround. Whenever possible, Trent tries to find funding to pay for this counselling. The student health plan will help cover a percentage of visits. The Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) component of the Ontario student Assistance Program (OSAP) can also be used towards disability-related services such as counselling, therapy and psychological assessments. For more on counselling services at Trent University, visit. http://www.trentu.ca/counselling/overview.php
For more on the Bursary for Students with Disabilities eligible services visit https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRD003536.html
Counselling Services at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) offers students access to a psychiatric clinic one afternoon per week. http://www.unbc.ca/counsel/counselling_services.html
Counselling Services at Wilfrid Laurier University has personal counselling available for all students, whatever the severity of the situation. http://waterloo.mylaurier.ca/counselling/info/personal.htm
Counselling and Disabilites Services at York University has confidential personal counselling readily available for all students. http://www.yorku.ca/cds/pcs/
Nipissing University offers confidential, individualized counselling support at no cost to all full-time, part-time, undergraduate and graduate students. Brief intervention is also available to all alumni and previously registered students. http://www.nipissingu.ca/studentaffairs/personal_counselling.asp
Simon Fraser University offers information on recognizing students in distress. In addition, they provide Suicide Prevention Training. For more information see http://students.sfu.ca/health/faculty/distress.html
The Simon Fraser University’s Health Promotion team within Health and Counselling Services offers audio casts and video casts on their website for those who may be unable to attend workshops or classes. For more information visit http://students.sfu.ca/health/healthpromotion/yourhealth-videoandaudio.html
Wilfrid Laurier University offers Performance Coaching, which is a unique program to address student’s performance skills for success. This includes individual consultation, pre-performance sessions, group workshops, presentations, and on-line materials designed to enhance performance in music, sports, exams, presentations, class participation and many other areas. Learn more at http://waterloo.mylaurier.ca/counselling/info/performance.htm
Counselling Services at the University of Victoria provides the following programs:
- Individual and group counselling that attends to student challenges, transitions, and opportunities.
- Consultative services to members of the University community that foster the intellectual, social and emotional development of students.
- Training mentorship for staff, student leaders, practicum counsellors, peer helpers, and others in the University community.
- Crisis intervention and emergency response through cooperative arrangements with other community resources.
- Research and evaluation to improve the effectiveness of student success programs and initiatives.
Visit their website to learn more. http://coun.uvic.ca/
Counselling Services at the University of Prince Edward Island offers confidential, short term help to students dealing with personal, relational or mental health concerns. For additional information visit http://www.upei.ca/studentservices/counselling/
Douglas College teaches a study skills course called STAC – Essential Skills for College success which is specifically targeted towards students with mental illness. http://www.douglas.bc.ca/calendar/courses/cstac.html
Memorial University provides psycho educational assessments on a fee-for-service basis for students seeking academic accommodations. For more information contact the Memorial University Counselling Services at (709) 864-8874, or email at counselc@mun.ca

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