Well-being plan
Your well-being as a student depends on balancing academic success with life's demands, including challenges to your physical, mental, emotional and social health.
Learn where to find the right guidance and support, and when it's most beneficial for you to reach out. Use the resources below to prioritize your well-being, navigate challenges with confidence, build meaningful connections within the SFU community, and find purpose in pursuing your degree.
Your well-being is a journey, not a destination—use this page as your starting point!
Be proactive with your well-being
Discover preventive resources and community-based support to nurture your well-being. Join student clubs, find safe spaces for yourself, seek expert advice, keep active, and more!
Student Support App (MySSP)
A service that provides 24/7 mental health and well-being support for SFU students. Get real-time access to clinical counsellors, access to a digital library on related topics, and more.
Support your well-being now
Get support for more immediate concerns about your physical and mental health, safety, and well-being. Seek medical attention, counselling, advising for student needs, and more.
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Be proactive about your well-being
Discover preventive resources and community-based support to nurture your well-being. Join student clubs, find safer spaces, seek expert advice, stay active and more.
Student Support App (My SSP)
A service that provides 24/7 mental health and well-being support for SFU students. Get real-time access to clinical counsellors, a digital library on related topics and more.
Support your well-being now
Get support for immediate concerns about your physical and mental health, safety and well-being. Access medical care, counselling, student advising and more.
79% of students who used SFU's health & well-being programs were satisfied
We surveyed undergraduates about their student experience at SFU in late 2022. Over 6,200 students completed the survey, which also addressed physical and mental health support programs available to the community.
Tip:
Your well-being needs can evolve during your time at SFU, so try to identify support resources before you need them. Be proactive in caring for your well-being by making preventive choices.
Managing various aspects of student life all at once can impact your well-being. Consider what you can incorporate into your daily routine to address your personal needs, whether they relate to your identity, lifestyle, finances or academic goals.
Identity-based support
Find resources that support your identity—race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or neurodivergence, spirituality, and more, including resources for international students.
Accessibility support
The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) supports educational equity for students with documented or suspected disabilities. Learn how SFU can accommodate your accessibility needs.
Food security and support
Several food-based initiatives exist on and off campus to help provide students with low-barrier, nonjudgmental access to food and proper nutrition, helping you meet your basic dietary needs.
Financial planning and support
Everyone's financial situation is unique. Maximize the financial aid options and supplemental income opportunities available to SFU students, and create a personal budget each term by using our cost calculator.
Academic planning and support
Managing your expectations can help ease the pressure on your academic performance. Learn how to align your course load each term with your capacity as you plan towards your degree.
Student Learning Commons (SLC)
Visit this collaborative peer-learning space for support with academic writing, assignments, study strategies and more. You can also join helpful workshops and English conversation groups.
Be proactive about your well-being
Student communities
Being connected to the SFU community is an essential part of the university student experience. Connect with your peers through shared interests, discover safer spaces on campus and seek social support for your well-being through community groups outside of classes
Student clubs
There are 100s of clubs you can join at SFU that focus on academics, arts and culture, social justice and charitable causes, sports, pop culture, hobbies and more. Meet and connect with other members who share similar interests, values and beliefs.
Women's Centre
A pro-feminist and sex-positive educational space for all students, regardless of orientation or identity. Access peer support, crisis referrals, safer sex and women's supplies, food assistance, feminist literature and more.
Out on Campus
An inclusive, nonjudgmental space where LGBTQIA2S+ students and allies can express their sexual and gender identities freely. Access peer support, crisis referrals, safer sex and sanitary supplies, socio-cultural and educational programs, and more.
Global Student Centre (GSC)
A diverse network where people can establish intercultural connections and share their international experiences with one another, fostering an inclusive global community on campus. Join social events hosted by the GSC!
Indigenous Student Centre (ISC)
A supportive community where all students who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) can access academic and wellness support, cultural connections, peer mentorship, counselling and guidance from Elders.
Multifaith Centre
A shared environment where you can express and practice your beliefs, while learning about other faiths. Find support for your spiritual well-being through events, activities, discussion groups, interfaith dialogues and more.
Be proactive about your well-being
Advising for SFU students
As a university student, it's common to link your well-being with progress towards degree completion. Whether it's academic success, career exploration, financial aid or other concerns, SFU advisors are available to provide guidance for your needs.
Academic advising
An Academic Advisor can help you map out your path towards your degree and navigate your program requirements. You can also discuss next steps if you face academic difficulties along the way.
Faculty and departmental advising
If you've declared your major and completed over 60 units, the appropriate Departmental Advisor can guide you through specific faculty and program requirements towards degree completion.
Career advising
Reach out to a Career Advisor at any time for support in planning your career path after graduation. Discuss actions you can take during your studies, such as co-op or on-campus work opportunities.
Financial aid and awards advising
A Financial Aid Advisor can help you explore SFU-based scholarships, awards, bursaries, and other funding opportunities you're eligible for, as well as government-issued financial assistance.
International student advising
An International Student Advisor can assist with concerns about your eligibility to study, work and stay in Canada, as well as topics like medical insurance, your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and more.
Indigenous student advising
The Indigenous Student Centre offers various resources to support the academic success of Indigenous students, including academic advising for those who are undeclared and have fewer than 60 units.
Be proactive about your well-being
Fitness and recreation
Well-being encompasses both your body and mind, and is something you actively nurture over time through healthy habits. SFU Rec makes it accessible for students of all skill and fitness levels to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on campus.
Recreational programs and classes
Sign up for a variety of fun and inclusive instructional programs, including group fitness, yoga, dance, martial arts and more. Students can try something new for free during Trial Week at the start of every term, before committing to a full term.
Drop-ins, intramurals and clubs
Drop-ins provide a casual environment for players of all abilities, while intramurals offer organized sports in recreational or competitive leagues. Join a sport or cheerleading club to connect with others and play together over a shared interest.
Facilities on campus
Stay active at our on-campus facilities, including a 12,000 sq ft fitness centre, indoor gyms and courts, outdoor playing fields, a fitness studio, stadium, aquatics centre and climbing wall (undergoing renovation until 2025), and more.
Student Support (My SSP) is a free service for SFU students that supports your mental health and well-being throughout your studies, whenever and wherever you need it.
- Accessible 24/7 from anywhere in the world, regardless of time zone.
- Private and confidential support from professional counsellors:
- Call or chat with an available counsellor in real-time for immediate support.
- Schedule multiple sessions with the same counsellor to address more complex, ongoing concerns.
- Support is available in multiple languages: English, French, Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin.
- Access an extensive library of health and well-being content for proactive, self-guided support.
- Create a user profile so Student Support can offer customized assistance based on your identity, community and unique needs.
- For scheduled sessions, you can request a counsellor with specific lived experiences (e.g someone who understands your culture or religion).
- When you connect with Student Support, a representative will collect your name, institution, reason for seeking support, and match you with a professional. Your personal information is not shared with SFU.
Did you know?
You can use Student Support if your well-being is impacted by:
Balancing personal, work, and academic priorities
Adjusting to a new environment or culture, or feeling homesick
Stress or anxiety related to your studies or uncertainty about plans after graduation
Relationship conflicts with family, friends or others
Isolation, loneliness or any other concerns—just reach out!
Health & Counselling services are available to all SFU students. Our team of professionals and care providers supports students across all campuses through in-person, virtual and phone appointments. A range of resources is available to support your well-being, including one-to-one sessions, group programs and self-guided tools.
Urgent support
It's normal to feel overwhelmed, and you're not alone. If you're in crisis and need to talk to someone right away, explore your support options.
Medical Services
Doctors and nurses are available by appointment—in-person, by phone or virtually—to support a range of medical concerns including new symptoms, sexual health, vaccinations, travel health, referrals, mental health and overall well-being.
Counselling services
A team of mental health professionals including registered clinical counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and mental health nurses, provides confidential counselling, safety planning, and crisis support for students.
Did you know?
Your well-being journey is yours to navigate, at your own pace! Whenever you need support, tap into a self-guided library of online courses, seminars, videos, audio recordings, recommended apps and more.
International student support
Get support for the challenges of living in a new country as an international student, whether through one-on-one conversations with a transition case manager or by connecting with other international students in a dynamic group setting.
Indigenous counselling services
Indigenous clinical counsellors are available for one-on-one appointments through the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC). You can also connect with other students in the ISC Wellness Program, where shared resources are available to support your well-being.
Support your well-being now
Safety at SFU
We strive to create safer and more secure campuses for all members of the SFU community, especially students. Ensuring a comfortable learning environment is key to supporting student well-being.
Public safety and security for students on campus
Stay safe and feel secure on campus with programs like Safe Walk, where you can request a security escort to your destination 24/7, along with other programs and support services.
Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO)
Get confidential support if you've been impacted by sexual violence, assault or harassment, no matter when or where it occurred. Support is available to all gender identities and orientations.
Student Support, Rights & Responsibilities (SSRR)
As a member of the SFU community, you're entitled to a learning, studying, and working environment that is civil, respectful and protective of your personal rights, dignity and well-being.