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:
For more information on various supports and services, see the Powell River coastal by nature community supports and reources page. Lift Community Services Community, Mental Health & Substance Use Supports has a handout prepared by Lift with contact information for health, mental health, and substance use services, as well as services specifically for Indigenous people, youth and kids, and transgender people.
Responding to students in distress
- May need help within the next week or more
- Behaviour changes may include: social withdrawal, signs of agitation, increased substance use, changes in appearance
- Concerning situation may include: bullying, harassment, discrimination, emotional distress
- Academic concerns
- Accessibility related concerns
- Financial concerns
Actions you can take are:
- Talk to the student
- Submit a Resource Request and Referral (formerly Early Alert). Faculty can also contact PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca or drop by the student services office with any concerns they may have.
- Refer to VIU tiwšɛ mawtxʷ Student Services
- Refer to Academic Advising
- Refer to Accessibility Services
- Refer to Financial Aid
- Refer to VIUSU Students’ Advocate
- Refer to Indigenous Student Support or to Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) in Nanaimo
- 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 tiwšɛ mawtxʷ Counselling 604·485·8041
- 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 Crisis Centre of BC 1·866·661·3311
- After, submit a Resource Request and Referral (formerly Early Alert). Faculty can also contact PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca or drop by the student services office with any concerns they may have.
- There is a suicide plan or intention
Actions you can take are:
- Contact the 24/7 Crisis Centre of BC 1·866·661·3311 for consultation
- Call 9.1.1 if needed
- If 911 is called, please have someone nearby call 604-485-2878 to report the incident to VIU
- 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 9.1.1
- If 911 is called, please have someone nearby call 604-485-2878 to report the incident to VIU
- Call 604.485.2878 for a first aid attendant who are also equipped with Naloxone kits
- The AED is located at the front office of the main buiding. AED demonstration video
- After, complete the online Reporting Health and Safety Incidents at VIU Form
Additional resources for students in distress
- First aid on campus, call 604.485.2878 for a first aid attendant who is also equipped with Naloxone kits
- qathet General Hospital (Powell River), call 604.485.3211 or for an emergency, call 9.1.1.
- 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
- BC Pharmacists can help with minor ailments. Visit the BC Government website for more information on accessing Pharmacy Services in BC or visit your local pharmacy
- International Students, if covered by Guard.Me, can access the Guard.Me MobileDoctor
- Student Fees also cover GOeVisit, healthcare on the go app
- With MSP, you can also 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
- Fetch BC: information about community health services in the qathet region and City of Powell River
- VIU counselling at tiwšɛmawtxʷ, call 604.485.8041 to make an appointment
- 24-hour Volunteer Crisis Line Service, call 1.866.661.3311
- 24-hour Suicide Crisis Helpline, call 9.8.8 or 1.833.456.4566
- qathet Mental Health and Substance Use Services: Outpatient counselling, outreach and community case management teams (youth, adult and older adult), harm reduction supplies. 604.485.3300 or visit qathet General Hospital, 3rd Floor Mental Health reception.
- Suicide Text line (1:00 pm to 9:00 pm), text 45645
- Lift Community Services Community, Mental Health & Substance Use Supports. This handout prepared by Lift has contact information for health, mental health, and substance use services, as well as services specifically for Indigenous people, youth and kids, and transgender people.
- VIU Elders in Nanaimo
- See the Crisis and Emergency page for other virtual options to support students with their mental health
- VIU online anonymous sexualized violence reporting form
- Report to VIU Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office, (Nanaimo) email to humanrights@viu.ca or call 250.740.6440
- VIU counselling at tiwšɛmawtxʷ, call 604.485.8041
- Transition House for Women and Children: Transition House for Women and Children and support hotline for all: 604.485.9773
- qathet General Hospital (Powell River), call 604.485.3211 or for an emergency, call 9.1.1. for sexual assault services
- RCMP Non-Emergency, call 604.485.6255 or for an emergency call 9.1.1
- BC society for male survivors of sexual abuse, call 604.682.6482 or email to victimservices@bc-malesurvivors.com
- Housing in Powell River, information from the city including links to other options
- Danielle’s Helping Hand: Offered by United Way qathet, one-time grants to help low-income individuals and families with emergency expenses (rent, bills, vehicle repairs, health costs, etc.) 604.485.2132
- BC Rent Bank can provide financial assistance, resource support, referrals and connections, or call 604.877.8453
- Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre, or call 1.800.665.1185 or 604.255.0546
- Emergency shelter: 24/7 Emergency Shelter for people experiencing homelessness, age 19+, all genders welcome: 604.578.0633
- Transition House for Women and Children: Transition House for Women and Children and support hotline for all: 604.485.9773
- Housing Hope: Supports for youth and families with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 604.223.2853
- BC Landlord-Tenant Dispute Resolution: Learn more about landlord and tenant rights
- BC Housing Rental Assistance: Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid for Elderly Residents (SAFER) programs.
- Refer to Financial Aid
- Community Resource Centre (CRC): Provides free services, such as food, computer access, telephone, tax help, legal services information, referral services, and laundry facilities. 604.485.0992
- Salvation Army: 4500 Joyce, 12:30pm until supplies last
- Powell River Food Bank: Food hamper once a month. Open Tues to Thurs 10 am to 2 pm. 604.485.9166
- Danielle’s Helping Hand: Offered by United Way qathet, one-time grants to help low-income individuals and families with emergency expenses (rent, bills, vehicle repairs, health costs, etc.) 604.485.2132
- Poverty Law Advocacy Program: Free and confidential service for people with legal poverty-related issues, such as applying for provincial and federal benefits of all kinds, appealing denials, tenancy issues, debt and collections, employment problems, and human rights. 604.485.0950
- Legal Aid BC: Information, resource, legal advice, and representation (eligibility criteria required). Interpreters available. 1.866.577.2525
- VIU student union
- Fetch BC: information about community health services in the qathet region and City of Powell River:
- VIU tiwšɛ mawtxʷ Student Services
- Academic Advising
- Accessibility Services
- Indigenous Student Support or to Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) in Nanaimo
- VIU student appeal information and form, email studentaffairsadmin@viu.ca
- VIUSU students' advocate, email sarah.webber@viusu.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