Mental Health Services & Resources

CBU recognizes the importance of mental health and its impact on academic success. CBU is committed to supporting students as they develop skills to prioritize and enhance their wellbeing and cope with varying challenges. We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of the resources available to them!

PERSONAL COUNSELLING

SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESPONSE & SUPPORT

Mental Health Services

Students can access personal counselling with CBU’s Mental Health Counsellors to deal with a variety of issues including depression and anxiety, grief, anger, relationship issues, family conflict, stress, financial concerns, and more. This free and confidential service is available by contacting the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre at 902-563-1359 or by emailing healthservices@cbu.ca.

Mental Health Resources for Canadian and International Students

NS Health Mental Health & Addictions: The Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions website offers students easy access to mental health and addiction support, including crisis services, intake clinics, and self-help tools. With a searchable program directory, is a great resource for finding local programs, learning about mental wellness, and getting help when you need it.

Healthy Minds NS: CBU’s primary online mental health support program.

Personal Counselling: CBU’s Personal Counsellors are Clinical Social Workers who work with students to deal with a variety of issues including depression and anxiety, grief, parenting, anger, relationship issues, family conflict, time management, stress, financial concerns, and more. This free and confidential service is available by contacting the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre.

GMSSP: GuardMe Student Support Program is a 24/7 digital mental health support program for international students. GMSSP provides students with access to a large and diverse network of professional counsellors who are equipped to offer support and guidance. Students are matched to a counsellor based on their situation, language and cultural preferences.

Support Groups

Peer Support Group: join a group of your peers every Thursday from 11:45am-12:45pm at the Kehoe Studio (above the health centre) with lunch provided. This supportive, safe space offers students the opportunity to talk to and learn from one anothers’ lived experiences by exploring different cultural perspectives on mental health and addictions.

POWER Group: is a group that meets every Tuesday from 11:45am-12:45pm at the Kehoe Studio (above the health centre) lunch will also be provided.  This group’s focus is learning how to be successful from one another, our diverse student community of Positive, Open, Welcoming, Excelling and Resilient individuals making it a POWER group.  Don’t miss out on this empowering experience.  Get ready to step out stronger!

CBU Men’s Alliance Group: This group is for anyone who identifies as male.  It will meet every 2 weeks and focus on men’s health. The sessions will be facilitated by Mental Health Counsellor and trained students. It is a mix of great conversations and learning as well as fun activities (fishing, shooting hoops, etc).  They are held Wednesdays from 3:30pm-4:30pm at the Kehoe Studio (above the health centre) and if you want more information or have a question please email Chris_bourque@cbu.ca.

Women’s Group: is a group of anyone who identifies as female.  This group is weekly on Tuesday at 3:30pm-430pm at the Kehoe Studio (above the health centre).  This group has topics discussion or guest speakers to share and learn about female issues.  The group also have fun activities (nail painting, self care activities) and snacks.

Mental Health Resources for Faculty & Staff

CBU’s Human Resources department is responsible for employee mental health support. CBU Faculty and Staff may utilize Healthy Minds NS, or access support through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). For more information on CBU’s EFAP, visit the MyCBU Intranet.

Additional Support

1. TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) – An online mental health library with interactive modules to help you understand and manage how you feel, think and act. TAO recently created mindfulness video exercises to help students cope with their feelings.
2. Mindfulness in Nova Scotia (MindWell-U) – MindWell-U is a free 30-day mindfulness challenge. This online tool is only five minutes per day and helps lower stress and improve wellbeing.
3. CBU Chaplaincy – The CBU Chaplaincy serves the University community in all spiritual and religious beliefs. CBU’s Chaplain, Father Doug MacDonald, is available to all students, faculty and staff. To book an appointment, please email doug_macdonald@cbu.ca or call 902-563-1173.