Student Health Service

Visit a doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, or other medical professional virtually or in-person.

Health notices

Prevention and care during the COVID-19 outbreak

Information on COVID-19 
  • If you are ill, no matter how mild, you should stay home to prevent spreading infections to others. Please take the BC self-assessment tool if you're unsure whether you have COVID-19 or not.
  • If you are not sure if you need to see a primary care provider, check the HealthLink BC website first or call 811.
  • Find more information on testing for COVID-19, provided by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) .
  • Testing is available for people with symptoms. Visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC) website for more information.
Managing Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Amidst the outbreak of COVID-19, many students may be developing feelings of fear, stress, worry and isolation—these feelings are natural when facing threats that are beyond our control. Everyone reacts differently to these feelings, which can be overwhelming for some. 

It’s important to understand that if you need help in coping with these feelings, there are articles and resources available to  guide you in managing your mental health during this time.

Get resources

Substance use

If you’re at risk of an opioid overdose, or likely to witness a family member or friend at risk of overdose, you can call 604 822 7011 to book a confidential appointment for a free naloxone kit. 

Call Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service at 1 800 663 1441 (toll-free in BC) or 604 660 9381 (in the Lower Mainland) to find resources and support for substance use. 

Learn to identify the signs when somebody is overdosing and how to respond with your Take Home Naloxone kit. Get naloxone training.

UBC Student Recovery Community (SRC)

The UBC Student Recovery Community is a welcoming and inclusive environment for students in or curious about recovery from addiction to alcohol, drugs, and/or addictive behaviours. The SRC’s peer support model is designed to empower students with lived experience to support one another on their chosen recovery pathway.

Find out more about the community on Instagram or contact the SRC at src.recovery@ubc.ca to speak with another student with lived experience.

Vaping Risks

Health Canada is advising Canadians who use vaping products to monitor themselves for symptoms of lung or respiratory pulmonary illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and to seek medical attention promptly if they have concerns about their health. 

Vaping is not without risk, and the potential long-term effects of vaping remain unknown. Find more information on the impact of smoking and steps to take in order to quit.

What Student Health Services can help with

Student Health Service offers a wide range of health assessments and treatments provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses.

Student Health Services appointments are being offered to students within British Columbia (BC), primarily by phone and video during this time. In-person services are available when needed.

If you are outside of BC, find other free wellbeing support specific to your needs.

Email instructions

If you are emailing student.health@ubc.ca, do not send any medical information through email without encryption, including the symptoms you might have. Please call 604 822 7011 for encryption instructions if you plan to send medical records or details.

Top reasons to visit Student Health Service

  • Sexual health & birth control
  • Mental health/ illness/ substance use
  • Sports medicine
  • Injuries and wound care
  • Immunization and allergy care

Please see certain fees (pdf) that apply for specific types of tests, appointments, forms, and equipment and for patients without health insurance.

What to expect

This is the most common experience at Student Health Service and may not be the same for everyone. When necessary, we make adjustments to meet a student's individual needs.

1Book an appointment

Make a virtual (video) or phone appointment through the online form or by calling Student Health Services. You can not book an appointment by email.

Virtual appointments

A virtual appointment can be arranged for physical health or mental health concerns, sports medicine, nursing appointments, and referrals to specialists. A follow-up appointment will be arranged in-person if needed.

Other concerns

For procedures, nursing, or urgent concerns or to book your first mental health appointment, please call Student Health Services.

2At your appointment

doctor and nurse

Student Health Services will contact you through your chosen method at your appointment time. You'll meet virtually or by phone with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or nurse.

3If necessary

Your doctor or nurse practitioner may refer you to a specialist.

4After your appointment

Follow the information provided by your doctor, nurse practitioner, or nurse. Check your email if you are expecting a follow-up message.

Cancelling your appointment

If you need to cancel  your scheduled appointment, please call 604 822 7011 to cancel as soon as possible. You will be charged a fee for missed appointments.

 See late fees required (pdf) for specific appointments.

Other wellbeing support

If you’re not sure what other resources are available to you, answer a few questions and get a list of support options specific to your needs. 

Find your options

Confidentiality

Release of information

Student Health Service cannot release information about you, the type of services you access, and the content of your appointments to anyone (including family) without your written permission, except for: 

  • Information indicating that a child is in need of protection.
  • Information indicating that you may constitute a risk to yourself or others (exception: Naloxone appointments are always kept confidential).
  • Information that leads to concerns about public safety.
  • Other statutory or common-law provision that requires or authorizes the release of confidential information.

If you wish to release your medical record information to another individual or medical care office, you’ll need to fill out an authorization form at your appointment. 

If you have any questions about confidentiality, you’ll have an opportunity to ask during your visit.

Student Health Service COVID-19 Safety

Book an appointment