3 students walking outside on VIU Nanaimo Campus

Nanaimo campus tools

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:

  • 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:

  • There is a suicide plan or intention

Actions you can take are:

  • Acts of violence
  • Immediate danger to self or others
  • Sustained a serious injury

Actions you can take are:

Additional resources for students in distress

  • 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)
  • TooGoodToGo (Our app is the world's largest marketplace for surplus food. We help users rescue good food from going to waste, offering great value for money at local stores, cafes and restaurants.)