If you need urgent help
Get help immediately if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or at risk of harming yourself or others.
British Columbia Emergency Care
Call 911, or visit the nearest hospital emergency department if you or a loved one requires immediate medical attention for illness, injury, self-harm, or overdose.
If you are thinking about suicide, or you’re worried about someone else, call or text 988 in Canada, toll-free, any time.
Call, chat online, or use the mobile app to get free, immediate, 24/7 mental health counselling, available in various languages for post-secondary students in British Columbia. UBC students can reach out as often as needed, anytime, from anywhere in the world.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline
If you are an Indigenous student in Canada, get immediate mental health counselling or crisis intervention by calling 1 855 242 3310 or chatting online any time.
Call 604 822 2222 for help on campus any time, including first aid. You can also reach Campus Security on a Blue Phone, one of 40 coloured poles on campus with the word “Assistance” on them.
Helping a friend in crisis
Recognize signs that your friend may need support
It’s important to recognize when your friend is struggling with something serious and when to offer help.
You may notice your friend’s behaviour, feelings, or thoughts change drastically or very subtly over time. If you notice changes in your friend that are impacting them in a negative way, it may be time to start a conversation with them.
Signs your friend may need some support:
- They are not enjoying activities as much.
- They seem distracted or have trouble focusing.
- They usually worry about things that don’t seem to be a big deal to others.
- They are typically tired or mention they don’t sleep well.
- They are typically sad and focus on the negatives.
- They are spending more time alone, isolating themselves, or avoiding social activities.
Reach out to the person you’re concerned about
It can be difficult for someone to reach out for help. By connecting with your friend with care and respect, you can help them get the support they may need.
When reaching out, you should:
- Listen actively and with patience. Don’t jump to problem-solving.
- Respond with empathy and validate their feelings. They are not alone and you are there for them.
- Ask open-ended questions to help your friend understand their situation.
- Identify key next steps, if needed. You can look through resources together online. You can call a service with them or offer to go with them. You can also plan for when you are going to check in with each other next, and who else they can reach out to that they trust.
Find more tips and techniques in the How to Help a Peer Canvas course.
If you are a student staff or student leader, your program supervisor or any professional staff or faculty member can help you if you’re concerned about another student. Reach out to a staff member if you need support with helping others.
Keeping your own balance as a support person
It is important to respect your own limits regarding the level of support you can provide. To be able to effectively care for others, we must first compassionately care for ourselves.
Regularly check in and reflect about how you are feeling both physically and emotionally as a support person.
If you notice you are feeling distressed or overwhelmed or are otherwise affected, it can be helpful to:
- Engage in self-care activities, such as going for a walk on the beach, creative hobbies, listening to music. Find more ways to reduce your stress response in the moment.
- Reach out for support for yourself from a friend or family member.
- Choose what healthier boundaries may be for you in this role.
- Consider how to help the person you care for widen their support network.
- Book a drop-in counselling session at UBC Counselling Services for yourself.
Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training (SAIT)
Take UBC’s Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training (SAIT), free for UBC students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The two-part training covers the following topics:
- Introductory intervention skills
- Effective approaches to work with someone at risk of suicide
- Available on- and off-campus resources
Training will also help participants understand the impacts suicide has on an individual, their loved ones and communities, and society as a whole.
Help for those who have experienced sexual assault
If you or someone you know have been sexually assaulted, the first steps you should take include ensuring safety, getting to a safe space, and seeking medical attention if needed. UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) is here to help and listen.
Support for those who have experienced gender-based violence
If you or someone you know has experienced gender-based violence in any form, please take steps to prioritize your safety and seek medical attention if needed. UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) is here to help and listen.