Mental Health Supports
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Taking care of your mental health is an integral part of your overall health and should not be undervalued.
NDSS recognizes the need for our school to better support our students in their mental health and are actively working on building more resources and an in-class curriculum.
If you or a friend needs help dealing with a problem find a trusted adult that can help support you. This could be your school counsellor or teacher. If the school is closed you can access the school app for more resources. If you have a non-emergency health concern, call 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse day or night or call/text one of these numbers below:
Below is a list of suggested resources you can access for support:
Black Youth Helpline 1-833-294-8650 (9 am - 10 pm daily)
Trans Lifeline for Crisis (877) 330-6366 (24 hours daily
The Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310 (24 hours daily)
Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 Text: 686868 (24 hours daily
Métis Crisis Line 1-833-MétisBC (1833-638-4722)
KUU-US Crisis Line Society 250-723-2040 1-800-KUU-US17 (1800-588-8717) (24 hours daily)
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Help Lines Mandarin 604-270-8222 Cantonese 604-270-8233 (10am-10pm daily)
YouthInBC Call 310-6789 (24 hours daily) online chat noon to 1am daily TTY 1-866-872-0113 (24 hours daily)
If you are currently in crisis, it's recommended that you go to the Nanaimo General Hospital for medical or emotional support.
Are you feeling down, depressed, anxious or stressed? Check out these resources
Wellness together: https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA free counselling, support groups, self guided online courses, anxiety depression and substance abuse
NDSS school counselling team
See your family doctor or contact Telus Health if you don't have a local doctor.
Check out the coping strategies on the Myschool Days app
Bounce Back BC: https://bouncebackbc.ca/ free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Foundry BC: https://foundrybc.ca/ free online drop in counselling
Download the Mindshift app to help develop skills for dealing with anxiety and stress.
For mental health support related to the pandemic
Email; bccovidtherapists@gmail.com for free short term counselling
For help dealing with grief
https://www.learningthroughloss.org/ short term counselling, support groups and workshops\
The BC Bereavement helpline Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223 M-F 9AM-5PM
Indigenous Support
For a list of resources check out First Nations Health Authority
Access to a primary care doctor https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day
Substance use and psychiatry services https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-substance-use-and-psychiatry-service
LGBTQ+ Support
Mind Map BC: a variety of resources for LGBTQ+ individuals
Trans Youth BC: supports for creative gender, trans, and questioning youth
Qunity: a virtial hub to help LGBTQ+ individuals find community and resources