3 students walking outside on VIU Nanaimo Campus

Crisis and Emergency

In-person and virtual supports

For medical emergencies, call 9 1 1

If 9 1 1 is called, please have someone nearby call 250.740.6600 to report the incident to VIU security and first aid

Emergency, first aid, security, ambulance, fire, police, bomb threat

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Campus emergency phone numbers

  • Nanaimo Phone: 250.740.6600
  • Cowichan Phone: 1.250.740.6600
  • tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) Phone: 604.485.2878

Police, fire and ambulance services

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

  • Phone: 9 1 1

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

  • Phone: 250.755.7691
  • Location: 1200 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5R6

In-person and virtual options.  You are not alone.

  • Brooks Landing Walk-in Counselling Clinic (Mental Health and Addictions)
    Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5:15 pm
    Unit 203, 2000 Island Highway North, See Brooks Landing Access and Crisis Services or call 250.739.5710
  • Here2Talk  Here2Talk is a free and confidential program that provides all students currently registered with a BC post-secondary school access to single-session  of 24/7 mental health support and community referral services via app, phone and web. Call 604.642.5212 or Toll Free at 1.877.857.3397.
  • Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1.888.494.3888 (24/7)
    Crisis Chat VI Crisis, and text (250.800.3806) 6 to 10 pm, 7 days a week. Note that due to a staff shortage, chat and text services may not be available.
  • Kuu-us Indigenous Crisis Line (24/7) for Adults/Elders at 250.723.4050, for Child/Youth 250.723.2040, or Toll Free Line 1.800.588.8717
  • Haven Society for women who have been sexually assaulted or in situations of domestic violence.
     Call the 24-hour crisis line at 1.888.756.0616 or see Haven Society for a variety of services.
  • 9.8.8 Suicide Crisis Helpline offers phone or text support to people in every province and territory 24/7 and 365 days a year through the Government of Canada mental health support.
  • Indigenous students can also access the Hope for Wellness helpline and chat available 24/7. Call 1.855.242.3310 for culturally competent counsellors, services in English, French, Ojibway, Cree and Inuktitut.
  • Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre: provides service to Aboriginal people through a holistic approach to programming and services. They offer many programs, groups and healing circles.
  • Nanaimo Family Life Association Counselling Program: One-on-one accessible and affordable counselling for individuals, couples, and youth by volunteers. Client-centered, solution-focused, based on a family systems perspective. Based on a sliding scale and no one is turned away because of an inability to pay.
    • Workshop Series: You can take workshops that interest you OR the whole series at a cost of $15 per workshop. Pre-registration is required.
  • Insurance Coverage for Private Practitioners: VIU students enrolled in Guard Me (International Student Services) and Greenshield (VIUSU) are eligible for counselling coverage. Please confirm details and coverage through your insurance provider. Counsellors in private practice charge ~$100 to $175 per hour and may offer a sliding scale. See their websites and bios. Most offer a phone consult first to see if it is a fit. Ask about payment up front or direct billing. Check your most current benefits booklet for more information or contact your VIUSU for details 250.754.8866.
  • More services: See the Vancouver Island community resource database for a more in-depth listings of services available in your area.

In-person resources

Virtual resources

  • Student Fees cover GOeVisit, healthcare on the go app
  • International Students, if covered by Guard.Me, can access the Guard.Me mobile doctor via Maple
  • Indigenous students can also access Virtual Health Services through the First Nations Health Authority.  Appointments can be made with the Virtual Doctor of the Day at 1.855.344.3800 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm seven days a week
  • With MSP, you can access various online clinics such as: Telus Health MyCare, RocketDoctor, or tiahealth.com
  • You can also dial 8.1.1 for the HealthLink BC for a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line with Registered Nurses available in British Columbia.  After your assessment with a Registered Nurse, it is possible to be referred to the online physician
  • Pharmasave on Third Street can offer minor ailment assessment and prescribing.  Students can also book same-day virtual visits with a licensed physician.  Call 250.591.9000 to book an appointment or ask questions.  Visit the BC Government website for more information on accessing Pharmacy Services in BC or visit your local pharmacy