FAQ & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can receive academic accommodations from the Wellness Office if you are neurodiverse, have been diagnosed with a physical or learning disability or psychiatric disorder that impacts your learning and ability to focus on your studies (such as dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, bipolar disorder, BPD, etc).
Did you know you can also get support to access your learning if you are experiencing any distressing or extenuating circumstances in your life (such as death of a loved one or friend, an accident or injury)? Student Success Advisors or Wellness Office members can meet with you to review your situation and needs and support you with academic accommodations, withdrawals and deferred exams to improve your access to learning and academic success.
The Wellness Office runs Heart of Art every Thursday, from 12:30PM to 1:30PM. It happens on the 3rd floor of FIC in RM 3004. The group is open to all students but limited to 15 participants per session. You can find more information about joining Heart of Art on the Student Portal, under “Wellness Office”.
Creating art will give you the opportunity to express yourself, explore some important personal themes, have some fun, and connect with other students. We have paint, oil and chalk pastels, collage materials, felts, pencil crayons, colouring books, glitter, fabric, paper and canvases and much more for you to experiment and have fun with.
At the beginning of the group we focus on creating a safe and mindful space for everyone that respects decisions to share or not share your artwork with other group members. The plan is to collaborate with each other to create a group that will be beneficial for our health and well-being. You are welcome to work on your own projects but the Wellness Office always brings interesting ideas and activities for you to engage in.
Please note that you DO NOT need to know how to make art already and you DO NOT need to know how to draw – the group is non-competitive and we DO NOT evaluate our artwork nor do we try to make masterpieces! Making art in this group is all about the process and how it helps us connect to ourselves and our experiences, emotions, and thoughts. Of course, if you do have artistic skills, that is great too, but absolutely no knowledge or experience necessary to join this group.
Snacks and drinks will always be provided. We looks forward to welcoming you to the group. You can contact the Wellness Office at fic.counsellor@fraseric.ca if you have any questions.
You can find the team members in the FIC Building – 2nd floor, RM 2111 & 2112. Please note that if doors to the offices are closed, it means that appointments or meetings are on-going. Please feel free to pop in to say hello if our doors are open!
We respectfully acknowledge that the FIC Wellness Office conducts all its activities on the stolen ancestral territories of the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations. We recognize the resilience of indigenous peoples in Canada who have been fighting and resisting racism, violence and oppression for more than 500 years.
On-Campus Resources
*In the event of an emergency, please call 911.*
The Campus Public Safety (CPS) department is committed to ensuring safe and secure campuses at SFU by providing public safety and resource protection services to the university community.
Urgent assistance is available 24/7 at all SFU campus.
- Emergency line (Urgent security or first aid): 778-782-4500
- Non-Emergency line (Security/Safe Walk): 778-782-7991
Health & Counselling operates two medical clinics on the Burnaby and Vancouver campus for FIC & SFU students. SFU’s medical clinics operate by appointment like a family doctor’s office would, with some walk-in spots available and urgent same-day crisis support on site with a social worker, counsellor, nurse, or doctor.
Burnaby Location
- Maggie Bentson Centre, RM0101 (ground-floor)
- 778-782-5781
- Monday to Friday, 9AM – 4:30PM
Vancouver Location
- Harbour Centre, Room 300 (lower level at the base of the escalator)
- 778-782-5025
- Monday to Friday, 9AM – 4:30PM
The Multifaith Centre is an engaged community that strives to enable students to express their beliefs and learn about other faith traditions. The centre is open to students, staff, and faculty. Many feel a sense of belonging; that they are part of a community where they can meet friends and people of their faith.
- Academic Quadrangle RM 3200
- Multifaith prayer room @ Student Union Building 2402
- 778-782-3180 | multi_faith@sfu.ca
- Surrey Centre SRYC 3002
- Surrey SEE Building SRYE 3004
- Harbour Centre 7314
- 778-782-3180 | multi_faith@sfu.ca
All locations provide 24/7 Access!
SFU SVSPO offers free and confidential support for SFU students, FIC students and employees who have been impacted by sexual violence, such as sexual assault or harassment, regardless of when or where it took place.SFU SVSPO will support you in ways that feel right for you. People of all gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome.
Burnaby Location
- West Mall Centre (WMC) 1301
- 778-782-7233 | sv-support@sfu.ca
- Monday to Friday, 9AM – 4:30PM
SFU SVSPO Case Managers are available both virtually and in-person. Drop-in sessions are also available. To get in touch with a Case Manager, please find the information listed on their Contact Us page.
Out On Campus is a department of the Simon Fraser Student Society dedicated to supporting SFU’s LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Aromantic/Asexual, 2-Spirit and more) students and allies. All are welcome to use their space and access their services. Visit their website to learn about the various ways you can get support!
Burnaby Location
- Student Union Building 2230
- Monday to Friday, 9AM – 4:30PM
The Office of Student Support, Rights & Responsibilities is a resource for students, faculty and staff. Students can find out about their responsibilities and rights as members of the SFU community, and learn about the supports available to them.
The Case Managers can meet with you by appointment on any of SFU’s three campuses or meet with you virtually (online remote appointment). For more information of their availability and how to book an appointment, please visit their Contact Us page.
The Ombudsperson can assist with fairness issues, appeals, interpersonal conflict, academic concerns and policy questions. Students are welcome to consult the Ombudsperson as a first step, last resort or at any point along the way.
The Office of Ombudsperson can be reached at via appointment, either through email or phone call. Email is typically the fastest way to receive a response.
778-782-4563 | ombuds@sfu.ca
Off-Campus & Remote Resources
In an emergency call 911
- Call 911 from any phone, but if you can call from a campus phone, Campus Security will be automatically notified of the call location.
- If you are unsure if it is an emergency, always err on the side of caution.
- When you call 911 you will be asked if you need police, fire or ambulance, and then what is happening and the location.
Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service (ADIRS) provides free, confidential information and referral services to British Columbians in need of support with any kind of substance use issue (alcohol or other drugs). Referral to community substance use treatment services is available for all ages. Information available from ADIRS includes prevention resources, support groups, and addiction related topics such as fetal alcohol syndrome.
Free, multilingual telephone assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact ADIRS
- Toll-free at 1 800 663-1441
- Lower Mainland at 604 660-9382
Anxiety Canada‘s mission is to reduce the barrier of anxiety so you can live the life you want. We offer trusted resources and programs to help people better understand and manage anxiety—and find the relief they need.
The Crisis Centre of BC provides support to vulnerable individuals across British Columbia through the Distress Services program. The Crisis Centre of BC offers their services through 24/7 distress phone lines and online chat services between 12pm and 1am.
Contact BC Crisis Line
- Dial 604-872-3311 | 1-866-661-3311
- Live chat also available
Contact Suicide Distress Line
- Dial 1-800-784-2433
BC Mental Health Support Line
- Dial 310-6789
Contact Youth in BC
- Live Chat available
Looking Glass Foundation’s programs and services decrease isolation, instill hope, and sustain recovery for individuals across British Columbia who are impacted by eating disorders.
HealthLink BC offers 24/7 access to registered nurses by phone for any medical concerns you might have. By calling 811, you can speak to a health services navigator, who can help you to find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist.
Contact HealthLink BC
- Dial 811
Health Initiative for Men (HIM) is a nonprofit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being in communities of self-identified Gay Bi and Queer (GBQ) men and gender diverse people in BC. We offer a full spectrum of health-based programming and services to meet the sexual, mental, physical and social health needs of communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC.
ISS of BC provides a supportive environment for newcomers to Canada of all backgrounds through offering programs and services that can help with getting settled in Canada, learning English, and some times finding work.
GuardMe Student Support Program (GMSSP) provides 24/7 access to mental health support, no matter where you are in the world. This service is included as part of your medical insurance provided to you by your GuardMe Insurance. Apart from this service being available 24/7, it is the first support program to use linguistically and culturally matched licensed clinicians to help decrease barriers students may face when seeking support.
Contact GMSSP
- Download the TELUS Health Student Support App on your phone
- Alternatively, dial 1-844-451-9700 or 1-833-768-2188
- If you are outside of Canada, dial +1-416-380-6578
MindMapBC is a database of outpatient mental health services including professional counselling, peer counselling, support groups, and more. affirming of 2S/LGBTQ+* (Two-Spirit, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other gender-and sexually-diverse) people. Where possible, we have also selected services that are free, low-cost, or sliding scale, and self-referral services—meaning you do not need to see a doctor before accessing the service.
MOSAIC (M.O.S.A.I.C. Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities) is one of Canada’s largest settlement non-profit organizations. Our newcomer services change the lives of immigrants, refugees, and individuals from diverse backgrounds in Greater Vancouver and throughout BC.
Options for Sexual Health (Options) offers current sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education from a feminist, pro-choice*, sex positive perspective.
* Options for Sexual Health supports the unrestricted right of all women to choose when and if to have children. We support the right of young people to receive the sexual health education and services they seek, based on their informed consent.
Options definition of women is intersectional and inclusive, including trans women, non-binary, agender, and all other self-identified women. We also acknowledge that there are men and non-binary folks with uteruses who may need to access sexual and reproductive health services (including contraception, abortion, and cervical screening), and who can become pregnant.
Contact Options by visiting their webpage fore more information.
QMUNITY is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives. We provide a safer space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included.
Psych2Go is a YouTube Channel that offers amazing psycho-educational videos on a variety of mental health and relationship topics. The Channel’s statement states: “Saving lives by building a community around mental health and psychology animated content. Our mission is to give you the hard topics and make it relatable and understandable; we hope to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and bring light to the darkness.”
Salaam Canada is a volunteer-run national organization dedicated to creating space for people who identify as both Muslim* and LGBTQ+. Salaam Canada acknowledges the diverse experiences of our community and support LGBTQ+ people who identify with Islam ritually, culturally, spiritually, or religiously. Salaam Canada advocates for social justice and addresses the intersecting issues around homophobia, transphobia, and Islamophobia/racism.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S offers programs and services in the areas of newcomer settlement, English-language training, employment and entrepreneurship, family, youth and seniors programming, health education, community development, affordable housing, and seniors care.
VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling, texting or emailing. VictimLinkBC provides service in up to 150 languages, including many North American Aboriginal languages. Even if you’re not sure if you have been a victim of crime, you can contact VictimLinkBC for assistance. Your call will be completely confidential.
Contact VictimLinkBC
- Call or text 1-800-563-0808
- Email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
WAVAW provides support services to survivors of sexualized violence who are of marginalized genders: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people. All of WAVAW’s support services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.
24/7 Crisis & Information Line
- Toll-free: 1-877-392-7583
- Lower Mainland: 604-255-6344
WAVAW Connect (text & online chat)
- Text 604-252-2452
- Online Chat