Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing program

Land acknowledgement

UBC Counselling Services acknowledges with deep respect that the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm land we work on at UBC is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. We also recognize with gratitude the knowledge systems, ceremonies, and healing traditions of the Musqueam Nation, and other Indigenous people, the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.

The Musqueam Post, installed on University Boulevard. The post tells the story of the two-headed serpent who shaped the landscape of Musqueam territory, and who is the origin of the name Musqueam.

About the program

Counselling services is committed to a process of Indigenizing and decolonizing mental health services at UBC. Our work in the Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (IMHW) program strives to be respectful of wisdom traditions practiced across our nations and within the individual experiences of Indigenous UBC students.

We offer many support options to Indigenous UBC students with a focus on helping to identify wellbeing goals encouraging their academic success.

What the program offers

  • Free and confidential drop-in and brief counselling services
  • Planning sessions to help you meet difficult challenges while attending UBC, including how to locate a doctor or find community resources like a daycare
  • Mentoring from professional staff
  • Connections with community resources that encourage wellbeing
  • Facilitation and support of cultural work

How to access the service

Students who self-declare as Indigenous, including First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous relations from around the world, are welcome to participate in program services.

Indigenous self-identification is voluntary, confidential, and used only to provide you with the relevant services that meet your needs.

  • Visit in person
    Speak to front desk staff at Brock Hall Counselling Services location or the First Nations Longhouse. Please let the front desk staff know you are an Indigenous student and would like IMHW support. IMHW staff members are also available to answer questions or book appointments at  FNHL’s Indigenous Student Lunch Series. 
  • Contact Counselling Services 
    To book an appointment, call 604 822 3811 and speak to our front desk staff for more information. Please let the staff know you are an Indigenous student and would like IMHW support. 
  • Book an appointment online
    Select “Counselling – Indigenous” on our appointment booking system to schedule an appointment with an IMHW team member. If you are unable to find an appointment, please contact Counselling Services at 604 822 3811.
  • Request a callback from the IMHW Team
    Submit the online form to request a call back from program staff, who can answer questions, book appointments, or help you plan your next steps in navigating other support options.

If you are a UBC staff member requiring a referral form, please email indigenouscounselling.support@ubc.ca, or call UBC Counselling Services at 604.822.3811 and ask to speak with an Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing program staff member.

A wooden walkway curving through a dense temperate rainforest.

Program approach

We ground our work within the Mi’kmaq principles of Etuaptmumk or “Two-Eyed Seeing” as shared by Elder Albert Marshall. This means that we respectfully support both the use of traditional holistic practices, or Indigenous science and knowledge, as well as conventional therapeutic Western counselling techniques.

The IMHW Peer Support Program (PSP) toolkit (pdf) was created for use with Indigenous student groups with a particular interest in life promotion and wellbeing.

Indigenous Cultural Safety

We are committed to offering culturally safe mental health and support services basing our work on foundational healing values which include cultural humility, a person-centered approach, trauma-informed healing work, and continued dedication to improving our services with a lens of self-reflection.

Our work is also informed by the following:

Meet the program staff

Headshot of Hali McLennan

Social Work Wellbeing Navigator

Hali McLennan, MSW, RSW (she/her/hers)

I am a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia. I was born in the Yukon but as a child moved to the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. I completed both of my Social Work degrees at UBC’s School of Social Work and I am grateful to have the chance to support current UBC students through the challenges they may face while at the university.

Additional Indigenous support and crisis resources

If you have questions

Please call 604.822.3811 and request to speak to an IMHW program staff member.