Health and Wellbeing

Student life can be stressful and overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. There are supports available to you from the Indigenous Student Centre and SFU, to help you through your emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual health journey.

The Indigenous Counsellors are available for individual appointments Monday - Friday. Please email isc_well@sfu.ca and one of the counsellors will get back to you to follow up with your request during regular office hours. Appointments are available with either Tanu Gamble, RCC or Jennifer Reandy, RCC. Please note in your email if you have a preference of which counsellor you would like to see.

You may receive an email from isc_well@sfu.ca within 48hrs to follow up with your request.

Tanu Gamble, Haida, Tsimshian

Indigenous Clinical Counsellor
Email: tanug@sfu.ca

Jennifer Reandy, Cree

Indigenous Clinical Counsellor
Email: jennifer_reandy@sfu.ca

Curious about Counselling?

Reaching out for counselling can be hard. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to access our services. There is no cost for currently enrolled Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students.

You may be wondering why do people go to counselling? Some common reasons include:

Stress, anxiety, depression and coping skills
Academic concerns (procrastination, motivation, goals)
Difficult life events (grief and loss, relationship conflict)
Adjusting to University life (moving away from home, first generation post-secondary student)
Sexual violence and assault
Suicidal thoughts or feelings of hopelessness
Enhancing healthy boundaries and assertiveness skills
Trauma and PTSD
Building confidence, self-esteem, and supports (tools for self or others)

Even when nothing’s wrong! We appreciate and value relationship building and the creation of social support in whatever form it takes.

If you are in an unsafe situation or in personal crisis and require immediate support, please contact:

Vancouver Crisis Line (24/7): 604-872-3311
Kuu-US Crisis Response Services (24/7):
1-800-588-8717
BC Suicide Line: 1-800-784-2433
SFU Campus Security: 778-782-4500
Police/Ambulance/Fire 911 or your local Emergency Department

Join a community of Indigenous students to support each other’s wellness goals. Participate in weekly in person activities including fitness classes, stretching, walk/run training group and more! You can also connect via our virtual community through CANVAS. Join a health challenge, access and share resources, encourage other students, and share about your own wellness journey. There will be prizes along the way to help keep you motivated. If you would like to be added to the virtual community sign up here and we will send you an invite.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Indigenous Student Life Coordinator, Elizabeth Adams (elizabeth_adams@sfu.ca).

Sign up for the Wellness Program and become part of a virtual community of Indigenous Students.

Join Now

Connect with Black Counsellors and additional BIPOC-specific supports

SFU Health and Counselling Services has a Black Counsellor, Tricia Kay Williams, available for drop-ins (booking needed in advance). For more information about how to access Black Mental Health supports and other BIPOC-specific supports, please visit the HCS Black Student Supports page.

Additional Supports

Contact Health and Counselling Services at 778-782-4615 or hcs_cm@sfu.ca to speak to an Access Case Manager and find out how Health and Counselling can best support you, or book an appointment with a doctor, nurse or counsellor.
Visit Health and Counselling Services in MBC 0101 and ask to speak with an Access Case Manager who provides same day 30-minute appointments. They will provide mental health support and/or referral to services and resources.

Phone My SSP (Student Support Program) at 1-844-451-9700 and ask to book an appointment with an Indigenous Counsellor. Appointments with an Indigenous counsellor may be via phone or ask about in-person appointment options in the community. My SSP App can also be downloaded for 24/7 support. All support through My SSP is free and confidential.

See a Doctor or Nurse at one of SFU's two medical clinics located on the Burnaby and Vancouver campuses. Make an appointment to discuss: new symptoms or issues, vaccines and travel, sexual health, perscription renewals or changes, follow-ups for pre-existing or chronic conditions, mental health and well-being or gender-affirming care.
- Burnaby Clinic - Monday to Friday; 9:30am - 4:30pm - MBC 0101
- Vancouver Clinic - Monday, Thursday, Friday; 9:30am - 4:30pm - HC 300

Events and Programs

Bouncing forward: Online Resilience Course

Tips and Advice

External Resources

The MindShift Application is an iOS and Android app designed to help individuals ease their anxiety through tools aimed at relaxing the mind and developing more effective ways of thinking. This app is free of charge and available for download through the App Store and Google Play.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Additional support options and counselling services are available at SFU Health and Counselling Services.

@sfu_isc We got your questions, and the counsellors are here to answer! Book an appointment with Tanu Gamble: isc_well@sfu.ca! #sfu #counsellorssageadvice #counselling #Indigenous #sfuisc ♬ Stars Will Fall - Duster

Indigenous Student Centre

Health and Well-being

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Connect with an Indigenous Counsellor