Mental Health Support

BC Campus Adapting to COVID-19

Throughout the province and around the world, COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind as we adapt to major personal, professional, and academic lifestyle changes during these tumultuous times. BCCampus has compiled these resources to serve everyone in the B.C. post-secondary system, from administration to students and every person in between. Check them out...

A Positive Online Learning Environment 

With the majority of our courses being online, we want to remind everyone that our non-academic student code of conduct still appplies to all interactions with others. Please ensure your communication with others is respectful, and represents who you are in the most positive manner.

Get all our Tips to Support Online Learning

Student Code of Conduct is a policy document that outlines your rights and responsibilities and is designed to ensure you and others are engaged in respectful communication and interactions that support everyone to have a safe place to explore and learn.

Please take time to review Policy 3400 and Procedures at policies.selkirk.ca/college

Here2Talk

Here2Talk is a Government of B.C. initiative that connects post-secondary students in B.C. with mental health support when they need it.

Through this program, all students registered with a B.C. post-secondary institution will have access to free and confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.

Find out how to access Here2Talk.

This article lists accessible services for students in Canada including numbers to contact within Canada and outside Canada (for international students) to access Here2Talk

Bounceback

BounceBack® is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. Check it out!

Resources and Support

Counselling services are now being offered remotely. To set up an appointment please get all the details here...

Emergency Services

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433): For individuals who are or know someone who is having thoughts of suicide. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in up to 140 languages. It is operated in partnership with Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC.

310-Mental Health (310-6789): For individuals who would like emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health in British Columbia. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is toll-free anywhere in British Columbia (no need to dial an area code).

Helpful Links

Ways to Cope with Anxiety

A large part of anxiety comes from a feeling of lack of control. We may feel helpless about what will happen and our mental health can suffer. It is important to note that we are not helpless in light of current events.

We can always choose our response. Let's be strong as a community and support each other. If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health:

• Separate what is in your control and what is not. Focus on what you CAN do. Wash your hands, pay attention to Selkirk College updates, eat healthy food, etc.
• Learn to cope with negative emotions. Fear and panic are spreading to one another. Let’s stop the contagious spread of anxiety!
• Self-isolation can be viewed as time to shift gears, become more quiet, connect with crafts, arts, family, music, etc.
• Get outside in nature and exercise. It’s a great way to breathe clean air and avoid crowds.
• Limit black and white thinking. This shall pass and in time we will all come to understand that there were positive outcomes as well as difficult ones. It is neither one or the other.
• Take a break from social media, news or electronics. If you do read the news, only view trusted sources for updates and information. (See resources below)
• Keep connected to people and reach out if you need more support. Let’s choose to call it  physical distancing and not social distancing because we really need to connect.
• Stay in the present. When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened or projecting in the future, gently bring yourself back to the present moment. Practice mindfulness activities to help you stay grounded.
• Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone.
• Trust that Selkirk College has the students’ best interest in mind. Students’ health and safety is the number-one priority for the college. Selkirk College remains committed to ensuring students in all programs can complete learning outcomes and final assessment. 

Knowing that we are all in this together can be comforting. Selkirk College has the best interest of students in mind. We will get through this together!

• cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms.html
• who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Helpful Mental Health Websites and Apps

(click our pdf in the sidebar for direct links)