Health & Wellness
Brighton College students are eligible for up to three free, on-site, health and wellness counselling sessions each academic year. These sessions are designed to provide students with a safe, supportive, and confidential space in which to discuss issues that may be causing distress and personal struggle. Some examples of common issues that are discussed with a Health and Wellness Counselor include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationships
- Stress
- Loneliness
- Substance misuse
- Adjustment to new surroundings.
Contact Information:
604-430-5608
studentservices@brightoncollege.com
Here2Talk
Brighton College students can access free, 24/7 single session mental health support through phone or chat with Here2Talk. Students who use Here2Talk still have access to existing campus counselling services.
Download the Here2talk App: Apple App Store | Google Play
Telephone and Chat Support: Download Here2Talk Poster [PDF]
Here2Talk is an additional support service that offers the following features:
- Confidential – Here2Talk is a confidential service. No one- including family, friends, or instructors- will know you have accessed these resources.
- 24/7 call or chat – Here2Talk is available 24/7. You can reach a clinical counsellor through App or phone anytime of the day, from anywhere in the world!
- Relationships
- No appointments needed – You do not need to book an appointment. You can just use the App, call or use the website to immediately reach a counsellor.
- Multiple Languages – You can request counselling and support in multiple languages, including French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish, Arabic and more!
Students can reach out for support for issues like: Relationship Concerns, Isolation, Anxiety, Communication Skills, Homesickness, Loneliness, Depression/Low Mood, Stress, Time Management, Balancing Work & Life.
How does it work:
- You can talk to a counsellor either through phone or chat.
- Your call/chat will be answered by a clinical care representative, who will ask you some basic information about your identity and your needs. Your personal information will not be shared with Alexander College.
- You will be transferred to a clinical counsellor who will provide you with support.
You can access support in one of the following ways:
Download the free Here2Talk App on your phone (Apple Store or Google Play Store)
Call toll free number 1-877-857-3397 or 604-642-5212.
Visit www.here2talk.ca to chat with a counsellor online or browse student related resources
Drug Overdose Awareness and Resources
If you suspect an overdose, call 9-1-1 right away and notify the front desk.The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects those responding to an emergency, even if you have substances on you. There are no academic repercussions for asking for help with addictions or during an overdose.
A public health emergency has been issued in response to the rise in drug overdoses and deaths linked with Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be fatal when obtained illegally. Fentanyl has been detected in cocaine, crack, MDMA (ecstasy), meth, heroin, fake Oxycodone, and fake Percocet. So far this year, over 1,200 people have died in BC as a result of illicit drug use. The Fentanyl crisis is extensive and devastating – it’s important to make a plan to stay safe and know how to recognize the signs of an overdose.
Reduce your risk
Never use alone
Instead, stagger your usage with a friend’s by waiting 5 to 10 minutes before the other person uses. Download and use the Lifeguard app. Also, remember to look out for your friends and stay alert for signs of an overdose, including severe sleepiness, unresponsiveness to being roused, and shallow breathing.
Go slow
Use low doses of the drug to start. If the drug contains fentanyl, even small doses could cause an overdose within 10 minutes.
Don’t mix drugs with each other or with alcohol
Mixing drugs is more likely to cause an overdose.
Carry naloxone – it’s confidential and free
Kits are also available for purchase at participating BC pharmacies.
Know the signs of an overdose
- Person cannot stay awake
- Can’t talk or walk
- Slow or no breathing, gurgling
- Skin looks pale or blue, feels cold
- Pupils are pinned or eyes rolled back
- Vomiting
- Body is limp
- No response to noise or knuckles being rubbed hard on the breastbone
Know what to do in case of an overdose
If you suspect an overdose, call 911, then follow the SAVE ME steps:
S – Stimulate. Check if the person is responsive, can you wake them up?
A – Airway. Make sure there is nothing in the mouth blocking the airway or stopping them from breathing.
V – Ventilate. Help them breathe. Plug the nose, tilt the head back, and give one breath every five seconds.
E – Evaluate. Do you see any improvement?
Use naloxone if available:
M – Muscular injection. Inject one dose (1cc) of naloxone into a muscle. Learn more about how to use Naloxone, including nasal naloxone.
E – Evaluate & support. Is the person breathing on their own? If they are not awake in five minutes, give one more 1cc dose of naloxone.
Naloxone is proven to work for opioid overdoses. Other remedies may be harmful.
Naloxone is the antidote to drug overdoses caused by opioids, including fentanyl.
Overdose prevention sites are managed by health authorities in co-operation with community partners across the province. These designated spaces, which are integrated into existing social service or health care settings or in newly established locations, provide on-site monitoring for people at risk of overdose and allow for rapid response when an overdose occurs.
Get Your Drugs Tested
880 East Hastings St
Noon – 8pm Every Day
Insite
139 East Hastings St Vancouver
9am – 2am Every Day
Drug Checking: 10am – 4pm
Get Your Drugs Tested
40 Begbie Street
New Westminster
BC V3M 3L9
Phone: 604-526-2522
Seven days a week, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Additional Resources:
Take-Home Naloxone kits
Take-Home Naloxone kits are available from local distribution sites and self-help materials available through Toward the Heart and StopOverdose.gov.bc.ca.
Where to access take-home fentanyl test strips
Self Help Resources:
Addiction
- Help Starts Here – The term ‘substance use’ refers to the use of drugs or alcohol. There are varied levels of risk that come with using any substance.
- Help Starts Here – Addiction is a health condition. It is the result of external factors, not personal choices.
- Substance Use Support Line -The BC Centre on Substance Use was established in 2017 to provide a centre of expertise to help meet those needs
- Mental Health and Substance Use Services – Mental health and substance use programs are for people across British Columbia who live with severe mental health and substance use issues and need an integrated, whole-person treatment approach.
Anxiety & Depression
Apps
- Headspace – Learn meditation and mindfulness, and choose from hundreds of guided meditations for managing stress, sleep, focus and mind-body health.
- Healthy Minds – A problem solving tool that gives you access to a mood tracker, journal, problem solving guides, coping strategies, and breathing exercises.
- Calm – gives you access to various guided meditations, mindfulness resources and relaxation sounds.
- BellyBio – Helps you practice deep breathing by providing biofeedback and music in sync with your breathing.
- Happify – Games and activities that help you overcome stress, negative thoughts and general challenges.
- Mindshift – strategies to cope with anxiety and develop effective ways of thinking.
- Moodmission – provides individually tailored activities to help you cope with life’s general challenges.
- Sanvello – provides strategies for coping with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns.
Websites
- Moodgym – Interactive self-help book regarding coping with depression and anxiety.
- Get Self Help – Access to various free Cognitive Behavioral Therapy self help tools for anxiety, depression, disordered eating and ADHD.
- Center for Clinical Interventions – Access to free self-help resources on variety of topics including anxiety, depression, procrastination and assertiveness.
- KeltyKey – Assess to free self help courses focused on anxiety, chronic pain, complicated grief, depression, family support, insomnia, panic, and substance use.
- Emotional Regulation – Access to worksheet for coping with overwhelming emotions.
- Distress Toleranc e – Access to worksheets for coping with stressful situations.
- BounceBack – free skill building program for coping with depression, anxiety, stress or worry.
Health
Apps
- Recovery Warriors – Provides you with exercises for coping with food, dieting, exercise and body image concerns.
- ParticipACTION app – Allows you to track your physical activity and win prizes.
- My Fitness Pal – Allows you to record keep a food diary.
- All Trials app – Allows you to browse and find a perfect hike, bike ride or trail.
- myPlan App – A tool to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, is experiencing abuse in their intimate relationship.
Websites
- BC Women’s Hospital CARE – Offers free pregnancy tests, information on pregnancy, abortion procedures and risks, and Post Abortion support.
- HealthLink BC – Call 8-1-1 to speak to a healthcare professional who can help you get information about your health concerns.
- Foundry – Access to health and wellness resources and support services for young people ages 12-24.
- Medimap – See available walk in clinics and wait times, and book an appointment.
- Web Smart Sex Resources – Learn about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), testing options, find clinics, or chat with a nurse online.
- Sex & U – Learn about sexual and reproductive health.
- Options for Sexual Health – Access resources, find clinics, or contact the anonymous phone line to talk about sexual health.
- Here to help – Provides information and resources on managing substance use.
- Quit Now (Smoking Cessation) – Provides tips, support and resources for those trying to quit smoking.
- MindHealth BC – Access to an online assessment and finding resources to support your mental health.
Multicultural Family Support Services
Sleep
Apps
- Insight Timer – Free guided meditation and relaxation sounds to help you sleep better, relax and focus.
- Loóna – Relaxation activities to help you feel less stressed at night and get a good night sleep.
- Alarmy – The alarm requires you to perform different tasks before you can shut the alarm off (For example: shaking it, solving a math problem, snapping a photo of a registered location or barcode scanning)
Websites
Crisis Contacts
- 9-1-1 or local Emergency Room
- Vancouver Crisis Center (604) 872-3311
- Crisis Line 1-866-661-3311
- BC Wide Crisis Line 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
- Metal Health Support Line: Call 310-6789 (no area code)
- Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service: Call 1-800-663-1441 (604-660-9382 in the Lower Mainland)
- Kuu-Us Crisis Response Services: 1-800-588-8717 (Serves Indigenous Community members)
- Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-866-872-0133
