ADVISORY: All of Halifax Peninsula, including NSCAD’s three campuses, are currently under a boil water advisory until further notice. All water must be boiled for at least one minute if it will be used for drinking or any other activity requiring human consumption.
Apply
Give
Extended Studies

Mental Health and Wellness Supports

Mental health and wellness supports for NSCAD students- on campus, online, and in the community

All NSCAD students located in Nova Scotia are eligible to receive counselling during their studies. NSCAD counsellors provide short-term, one-on-one confidential counselling sessions for various concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Counselling takes place in-person at Fountain campus, or virtually online.  

Book an Appointment  

If a student would benefit from more long-term or in-depth support, the counsellors can help connect them with someone in the community that can provide this service. Students can also self-refer to a psychologist or counselor in the community. Please note that psychiatrists generally require a referral from a physician. If you are a domestic student on the NSCAD student health plan,  you have coverage for registered counselling therapists, social workers, and psychologists. NSCAD international students have coverage through their health plan for psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers. 

For questions about mental health resources or booking appointments, please contact the counselling office at counsellor@nscad.ca. 

Good2Talk 

Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline for post-secondary students, available 24/7/365 

  • Phone: 1-833-292-3698 
  • Text “Good2TalkNS” to 686868 for support. 

If you would like to speak to a counselling support immediately, call Good2Talk. By calling 1-833-292-3698, you will be connected with a professional counsellor who can provide support for a range of topics, including school-related stress and anxiety, relationship, work or financial challenges, concerns about substance use, panic or crisis and thoughts of suicide.  


Suicide Crisis Helpline  

A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.  

  • Phone 9-8-8
  • Visit 988.ca  


Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team  

The Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team provides crisis support for those experiencing a mental health crisis.  

  • Phone (available 24 hours a day): 902-429-8167 
  • Toll-free: 1-888-429-8167
  • If crisis team is unavailable, call 9-1-1 

The crisis line is available 24/7 to anyone in Nova Scotia. In some cases, a mobile response team may be activated and is available from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. in most communities in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Mobile visits include a Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team police officer and a mental health clinician who will support you in receiving the care you need in the event of a mental health crisis.
 

Emergency Departments 

Visit the IWK Health Centre (under 19 years old) at 5941 South St, Halifax, NS B3H 1V7. 

Visit the QEII Health Sciences Centre (19+ years old) at 1799 Robie St, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2 

 
University Security 

For support on campus call: 
Fountain Campus  902-877-0764  
Port Campus  902-478-0234  
Academy Campus  902-456-7759 

NSCAD students have access to a doctor through the Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Student Health Clinic. The SMU clinic is for non-emergency, appointment-only medical matters. Students can book through Pomelo, an online booking platform where you can manage your health appointments. Click here to register or book your appointment.  
 
The SMU Student Health Clinic is located on the Fourth Floor, O’Donnell Hennessey Student Centre (403 SC). This map will help you find the clinic for your appointment. 
 
Click here for more information on medical care and insurance. 


8-1-1 

Trusted Health Advice from a Registered Nurse 

Concerned about your health? Wondering if you can care for yourself at home, or need to see a doctor? Call 8-1-1 to talk to a registered nurse around the clock, seven days a week. Nurses at 8-1-1 can also provide information about services in your area, or general information about your health care concerns. 

811 provides services in over 125 different languages including Farsi, Cantonese, French, Chinese, and Arabic and many others.

NSCAD Peer Support  

NSCAD’s Peer Support Program offers one-on-one peer support between students and trained peer mentors. Peer support is an effective strategy for individuals trying to maintain their mental health in a stressful academic environment. The peer mentors have lived experience with mental illness and are current NSCAD students, putting them in an ideal place to serve as positive examples for their peers.  
 
Peer supporters hold regular drop-in office hours in the Wellness Room (G227) at Fountain Campus. Please email peermentors@nscad.ca for an updated schedule or look for posters around campus for the most up-to-date information. 

NSCAD’s Peer Support Program is supported financially by the Stay Connected Mental Health Project, a cooperative effort of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and local universities, funded by Fred and Elizabeth Fountain.  

 

Peer Mentor Coping Strategy Workshops 

The peer mentors periodically offer Coping Strategy Workshops. You can also access the PDF version of these workshops here:

 

Therapy Dog Visits  

Spending time with a therapy dog can help provide stress relief and a sense of comfort and calm. Spend some time with St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog team, Sally and Roo!

Click here for local resources for 2SLGBTQIA+, abuse, addictions, African Nova Scotian, disability, employment, health, Indigenous, legal, mental health and sexual assault services.

Togetherall: Safe and anonymous, online peer community for your mental health 

Tranquility: Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) program for mild to moderate anxiety and depression with personal coaching 

Healthy Minds NS: Resource hub for post-secondary students in Nova Scotia 

MindWellU: Quick and effective mindfulness and mental health learning for increased resilience and decreased stress  

MindShift CBT: Free, evidence-based anxiety relief  

Nova Scotia Health: E-Mental Health offerings