The provincial government has launched a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students.
Here2Talk,offers confidential, free single-session services by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Chat sessions with a trained counsellor can be accessed by downloading the Here2Talk app or visiting: here2talk.ca.
Students can speak to a counsellor by phone, toll-free at 1 877 857-3397 or direct 604 642-5212. Students calling from outside Canada can dial 1 604 642-5212 (international calling charges may apply).
Operated by Morneau Shepell, the service will support students dealing with challenges such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, pressure to perform, crises, racism and relationships. Counsellors will also be equipped to refer students to local resources in their communities.
For the launch, web, phone and chat services are currently available in English and French.
B.C. Federation of Students chairperson Tanysha Klassen said the service will make a difference in the lives of many students.
"Even though there are support services on some campuses and in the community, they're not always easy to access and some students feel uncomfortable asking for help," Klassen said. "Here2Talk's chat, phone and online services will make it much easier for students to reach out for help when they need it."
