Counselling

Counselling Services are available on each campus through telephone, email, video and in-person appointments and can be booked online. If you need counselling support outside of regular office hours or in a different language see the section below titled: 24/7 support.

Sometimes we all need a little help. While attending North Island College all registered students may seek free, professional and confidential counselling support.

Book counselling appointment

Sexual Violence & Misconduct Support

Support if you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault

Early Assist

Learn about NIC's Early Assist program which connects students to resources

As a student, challenges may arise that relate to college life or are from outside the college environment. To support you in your life and educational goals, our counsellors offer short-term counselling and coaching for personal challenges and unexpected circumstances, learning strategies and study skills, stress management, and conflict resolution.

Campus & Community Supports for Students

Career counselling is available to current students to help them determine next steps.

Referrals to community services will be recommended when appropriate.

Other resources

Along with NIC resources, there are resources available in the community should you or a student you know need help.

See the below list for supports. You can also visit BC211, which offers a full list of community, government and social services available in communities across BC.

  • Here2Talk (24/7 counselling support for post-secondary students)
  • Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888
  • 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433
  • Kids Help Phone: 686868 (24-hour text support)
  • KUU-US crisis line: 1-800-588-8717 (24-hour phone support for Indigenous people in BC)

Wellness Together Canada was created in response to the rise in mental health and substance use concerns due to the pandemic, with funding from the Government of Canada. It is a tool for people across Canada and Canadians living abroad to access immediate text support, individual phone, video, and text counselling, community and peer support, and wellness programs that people can do on their own or with coaching.

The most important aspect is the mental wellness self-assessment offered by this tool. You will need to create an account by providing an email address and password on this link or by clicking on the “Start your wellness journey today” on the homepage.

Wellness Together Canada has Bell Let’s Talk, Canada Health Infoway, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canadian Psychological Association, etc. as the founding supporters.

Confidentiality

All sessions with a counsellor will remain confidential unless we have written permission to release the information.

There are four exceptions to this:

  • known or suspected instances of children who need protection
  • vulnerable adults who are unable to seek support and assistance and need protection from abuse or neglect
  • cases involving imminent risk of physical harm to oneself or another
  • when a court orders the release of confidential information
In accordance with BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, NIC Counselling Services provides counselling to all current NIC students physically located in the province of British Columbia. Single-session* or appointment-based counselling services will be available to NIC students located outside the province.
* Single-session means you can book more than one appointment, but each session is considered distinct and the same counsellor may not always be available.