VIU commits to supporting all students in reaching their full academic and personal potential. We recognize that concerns for a student's academic or well-being will range in seriousness. As a caring community member, you may not always be sure of appropriate next-steps when you are supporting students in distress (SSID).
Below are steps to help you connect students with the right supports.
For the printable and interactive PDF version, please select:
See the Nanaimo student services locations printable pdf file and use the Nanaimo VIU campus map to navigate to them.
Responding to students in distress
- May need help within next week or more
- Behavioural changes may include: social withdrawal, signs of agitation, increased substance use, changes in appearance
- Concerning situations may include: bullying, harassment, discrimination, emotional distress
- Academic concerns
- Accessibility related concerns
- Financial concerns
Actions that you can take are:
- Talk to the student
- Submit a Resource Request and Referral (formerly Early Alert)
- Refer to Counselling Services
- Refer to Academic Advising
- Refer to Accessibility Services
- Refer to Financial Aid
- Refer to VIUSU Students’ Advocate
- Refer to Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place)
- Needs help within 1–2 days
- Recent traumatic events may include: sexualized or physical violence, accident, loss
- Acute emotional distress
- Significant concerns about wellness
- Suicide: thoughts or feelings
Actions that you can take are:
- Connect student to VIU Counselling at 250·740·6416 from 8 am to 4 pm located at B 200 Rm 308 (limited same-day urgent service available).
- After hours: connect student to 24/7 Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1·888·494·3888
- After, submit a Resource Request and Referral (formerly Early Alert)
- There is a suicide plan or intention
Actions you can take are:
- Contact the 24/7 Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1·888·494·3888 for consultation
- Call 911
- After, complete the online Reporting Health and Safety Incidents at VIU Form
- Acts of violence
- Immediate danger to self or others
- Sustained a serious injury
Actions you can take are:
- Call 911
- Call Campus Security 250·740·6600 (VIU Safety App emergency contacts)
- After, complete the online Reporting Health and Safety Incidents at VIU Form
Additional resources for students in distress
- First aid on campus, call security at 250.740.6512
- Nanaimo Regional General Hospital emergency, call 9.1.1.
- See the Crisis and Emergency page for other non life-threatening options both in-person and virtual
- VIU counselling, call 250.740.6416, B 200, Rm 308
- VIU Elders
- Vancouver Island crisis line, call 1.888.494.3888 available 24/7
- See the Crisis and Emergency page for other options to support students with their mental health
- BC Foundry app for those aged 12-24 and their caregivers
- Report to VIU Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office or email to humanrights@viu.ca or call 250.740.6440
- VIU counselling, call 250.740.6416, B 200, Rm 308
- A recent assault can contact the Forensic Nurse Examiner at NRGH Emergency at 250.755.7691
- Haven Society victim services, call 250.756.2452 ext 234
- BC society for male survivors of sexual abuse, call 604.682.6482 or email to victimservices@bc-malesurvivors.com
- Vancouver Island crisis line, call 1.888.494.3888 available 24/7
- RCMP Non-Emergency, call 250.754.2345
- RCMP Victim Services, call 250.755.3100
- VIU online anonymous sexualized violence reporting form
- VIU off-campus housing or email housing@viu.ca for more information
- VIU student housing or email residence@viu.ca
- Surviving in Nanaimo, online PDF guide to various supports including housing
- BC Rent Bank can provide financial assistance, resource support, referrals and connections, or call 604-877-8453
- BC Housing
- Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre, or call 1.800.665.1185
- VIU financial aid, call 250.740.6423
- VIU student union: Good Food Box, The Breakfast Bar
- VIU Food Security Club (student led information)
- giveameal@viu.ca - Students struggling with affording enough to eat can request $20 deposits placed on their Student ID cards to spend on food at VIU cafeterias.
- indicate up to 3 deposits (each one is worth $20), provide your name and student number,
- You can get a max. of three deposits per request, with two requests per semester available to you.
- Visit the cafeteria in person to load your card for the first time.
- Use your ID card to pay at the Upper or Lower Cafeteria with no restrictions on food choices. Opting for lower-value menu items will help stretch the funds.
- VIU career studio, email careerstudio@viu.ca
- Nanaimo area food options PDF sheet
- Loaves & Fishes
- Nanaimo Foodshare
- Salvation Army meal program, call 250.714.1142
- Surviving in Nanaimo, online PDF guide to various supports
- Flipp (app to browse local grocery store flyers for current offers)
- Flashfood (app to browse local grocery stores for short dated and discounted food)
- VIU academic advising, call 250.740.6410 or email advising@viu.ca
- VIU Indigenous students supports
- VIU math learning centre, email jacobus.swarts@viu.ca
- VIU peer-supported learning
- VIU student appeal information and form, email studentaffairsadmin@viu.ca
- VIUSU students' advocate, email sarah.webber@viusu.ca
- VIU writing centre, email writingcentre@viu.ca
- VIU learning matters: a collection of resources to assist students in being successful with videos, learning tips, study strategies, support areas, and best practices
- BC Transit - regional district of Nanaimo, for Nanaimo call 250390.4531, for Parksville & Qualicum call 250.954.1001
- AC Taxi, call 250.753.1231
- URide, book through their ridesharing app