Mental Health

Mental Health

At McGill, there is a wealth of health and wellbeing initiatives offered by students, the University, and the wider community. We encourage all students to take advantage of the resources and activities available in order to cultivate their wellbeing during their time at McGill.

*If you or someone you care about is in a dangerous situation which requires urgent attention, please call 9-1-1, or go to your local hospital’s emergency room*

Outreach

The SSMU Mental Health Outreach Coordinator leads a committee focused on communication, education, and collaboration between campus groups. They manage the SSMU Mental Health Facebook and Instagram, and coordinate Mental Illness Awareness Week in the Fall term and Mental Health Action Week in the Winter term.

The Outreach Coordinator also works with the Mental Health Commissioner to host the Mental Health Roundtable, which brings together leaders from all the mental health-related groups on campus to discuss their initiatives and coordinate their work. If your group would benefit from a seat at this table, please email the Outreach Coordinator.

Advocacy

The SSMU Mental Health Advocacy Coordinator leads a committee focused on holding the University accountable, evaluating and monitoring progress, and fostering allyship through active engagement with marginalized groups on campus. 

If you have any ideas or projects regarding mental health advocacy on-campus that you would like support on, please reach out via email. These can be independent initiatives, projects to improve the SSMU, or advocacy proposals regarding the University. 

You can contribute to the work of the Advocacy Committee by completing these student-run surveys that inform our reports and advocacy efforts:

Relevant Documents

The SSMU Mental Health Commissioner, Coordinators, and Committee are guided by the SSMU Mental Health Policy and 3-Year Plan, which we encourage you to review.

In response to the Policy and 3-Year Plan, SSMU Mental Health has also prepared the following documents:

Funding

Beyond funding the work of the Mental Health Commissioner, the two Coordinators, and the Mental Health Roundtable, the SSMU Mental Health Fee has funds available to any student(s) keen to take action. If you have an idea to improve the mental wellbeing of the McGill community, apply to the Mental Health Fund for financial support, and do not hesitate to contact the Mental Health Commissioner for further guidance.

Contact Us

Mental Health Commissioner
mentalhealth@ssmu.ca

Mental Health Advocacy Coordinator
mhadvocacy@ssmu.ca

Mental Health Outreach Coordinator
mhoutreach@ssmu.ca 

Vice-President (Student Life)
studentlife@ssmu.ca

Mental Health Resources

Looking for help? You’re not alone. The SSMU is committed to providing members of our community with the accessible, culturally-safe, and inclusive wellness resources that best fit their unique needs. 

Download this PDF (Mental Heath Resources)or check out below for resources.

*If you or someone you care about is in a dangerous situation which requires urgent attention, please call 9-1-1, or go to your local hospital’s emergency room*

Insurance

While many resources are available for free, some students may find their needs better met by private services. It is important to know what coverage you have available.

  • Students enrolled in the SSMU Health & Dental Plan (StudentCare) have 80% coverage for sessions with a psychologist, psychotherapist, registered clinical counselor, or social worker, to a maximum of $1000 per academic year. Additionally, reduced-cost services are available through the StudentCare Psychology Network.
  • For international students enrolled in the Blue Cross International Student Health Plan, up to $750 per year in psychologist or psychotherapist fees is covered, as is up to $750 for assessments, tests, and analyses carried out by a psychologist.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Keep.meSAFE is a service available to all McGill students. Download the MySSP mobile application for  access to:

  • 24/7/365 immediate and unlimited access to licensed counsellors through telephone and mobile chat, even when travelling abroad
  • Access to appointment-based counselling sessions, including in-person counselling when available
  • Mental health care in over 60 languages
  • More details can be found in the resources serction

Suicide Action Montreal (SAM)
If you need help, are worried about a loved one, or you are a person bereaved by suicide, you can reach SAM at 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553) anywhere in Quebec. They also offer a 24-hour support service at 514 723-4000.

Kids Help Phone & Crisis Text Line
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people – not just “kids”! – in both English and French.

Reach a professional counsellor by calling 1-800-668-6868, or chat with a trained crisis responder through Facebook Messenger or by texting CONNECT to 686868.

Head and Hands
Head & Hands strives to promote the physical and mental well-being of youth, with a preventative, inclusive, non-judgmental, and holistic approach as well as a fundamental commitment to providing a supportive environment for youth experiencing marginalization(s). 

As part of their services, they offer short- to medium-term counseling to youth 12-25 years old and families with youth in that age bracket, informed by healing justice, anti-oppression, trauma-sensitivity, and harm reduction. Counselors may also provide referrals for other relevant services where necessary.

You can find out more about their services on their website or reach them by phone at 514-481-0277. 

The Lavender Collective
The Lavender Collective is a Black-led community effort that advocates for culturally relevant mental health related needs in BIPOC communities through education, network and resource building. Grown out of the short list of BIPOC Montreal mental health professionals, the Lavender Collective offers a comprehensive directory of BIPOC mental health resources available in Montreal. You can check out their website to access this directory or contact the team.

MCGILL STUDENT SERVICES

Healthy Living Annex
A space on the third floor of the Brown Building dedicated to outreach, health promotion, and peer support activities. Be sure to check out workshops led by Peer Health Ambassadors, and the McGill Art Hive. Many workshops and webinars are available on-demand on the Student Wellness Hub website.

Student Wellness Hub
The Wellness Hub provides students with professional physical and mental health services. It offers a team of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers, and dietitians.
The Hub is located in the Brown Building, 3rd floor (3600 McTavish Street) and can be reached at 514-398-6017.

Local Wellness Advisors (LWAs)
LWAs are trained clinicians who can orient and connect you with the appropriate resources for your unique situation. LWAs can familiarize you with the many health and wellness supports that are available to you on campus. They can also equip you with tools and resources to take charge of your mental health.

McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL) Wellness Resources
Cultivating wellness in all areas – including your inner, spiritual side – can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed during your busy university career.

Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) Student Resources
The OSD provides those experiencing academic or physical barriers with accommodations ranging from exam accommodations, note taking support, learning resources, peer-to-peer supports, and assistive technology.

First Peoples’ House Student Community and Cultural Support
The mission of the First Peoples’ House is to provide First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students attending McGill with a “home away from home,” where they can find support and encouragement to succeed in their studies and remain connected to their culture. They emphasize and create opportunities for Indigenous students to engage in meaningful community and cultural support networks.

STUDENT-RUN RESOURCES

McGill Students’ Nightline
Nightline provides non-judgmental, anonymous, and confidential active listening available every night during the fall & winter semesters (including exams), from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.  You can call them at 514-398-6246, or message them on their chatline from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.The Peer Support Centre
A student-run initiative through the SSMU, the PSC provides a welcoming space where you can share your experiences, feel listened to, and find ways to resolve the things you are going through. Non-judgemental, and always confidential. You can find more information and access services on their website.The Eating Disorder Resource and Support Centre
The EDRSC’s student volunteers have received training in active listening, peer mental health support, eating disorders and disordered eating, and anti-oppressive practices. The EDRSC provides students with support groups as well as drop-in services. You can find more information and access services on their websiteThe Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students’ Society (SACOMSS)
SACOMSS is a volunteer-run organization committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault and their allies through direct support, advocacy, and outreach. SACOMSS’ DIAL is a confidential, non-judgmental sexual assault helpline and walk-in service, providing listening and support to survivors, their peers, and their allies.
You can reach the hotline at 514-398-8500. Their hours of operation are updated weekly on their website.The Union for Gender Empowerment 
The UGE strives to be an anti-oppressive and trans-positive organization that welcomes, but is not limited to, queer, Two-Spirit, transgender, intersex and genderqueer people. Services include a safe space with active listening office hours, a pay-what-you-can co-op stocking gender affirming items and other products, educational workshops, referrals for health and legal issues, and more! You can find more information and access services on their website.

The Black Student Network
BSN offers social and political events by and for Black Students, in addition to hosting both open and closed discussions and providing resources as well as mentorship programs. BSN endeavours to make McGill’s campus safe and accessible for Black students in order to support their academic success as well as mental and physical well-being. You can find more information and access services on their website.

The Muslim Students’ Association
The MSA brings together Muslim students to provide resources, essential services, and educational tools and aims to facilitate the spiritual and social growth of its members, as well as the larger McGill community, supporting diverse student needs. In addition to community and spiritual support, students will soon be able to access chaplaincy and mental health counselling free of charge through the MSA. You can find more information and access services on their website.

Midnight Kitchen
Midnight Kitchen is a SSMU service which focuses on food (in)justice, dedicated to providing accessible food to as many people as possible. MK aims to empower individuals and communities by providing a working alternative to current capitalist, profit-driven systems of food production and distribution. They provide a bi-weekly prepared meal program, food bank, and communal on-campus garden as well as other resources, which you can find on their website.

APPS

The Th3rdPlace
This free app facilitates students to do daily activities together, such as attending class, studying in the library, having lunch breaks, and exploring the city and culture together, which enable students to make new friends with shared interests and ambitions. Th3rdPlace believes social connection is the best way to build resilience and prevent loneliness, and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.