It is a challenging and unprecedented time for all of us. There are a lot of useful resources to help you navigate this world health event we’re facing – please explore them:
Mental Health Support
It’s normal for you to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or worried about how COVID-19 will impact your studies, your health, and those around you. There are resources to provide strategies for dealing with this world health event:
- Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak (PDF) (World Health Organization)
- Coronavirus: managing stress & anxiety (Canadian Mental Health Association)
- Government of Canada Mental (and Physical) Health Supports
- Managing COVID-19 stress, anxiety, and depression (PDF) (Government of British Columbia)
- Managing fears and anxiety around COVID-19 (PDF) (Langara Counselling Department)
- Trans Care BC (Provincial Health Services Authority)
Langara Counselling Department
The Counselling office is unavailable for face-to-face service but students can connect with a Counsellor or Advising Assistant for support via telephone, email, or a secure online platform (Zoom). Please email counselling@langara.ca or call 604.323.5221 and leave your name, student ID, and a brief summary of what you would like assistance with. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Visit the Counselling website for more information.
Other Resources
- Here2Talk: a confidential, free single-session counselling service by app, phone, or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Moving Forward Family Services: Our fully insured, fully supervised counselling interns are available to provide free, temporary telephone support to anyone who may be struggling emotionally while in self-isolation. Anyone wanting this service can call and leave a message, requesting telephone support, at 778.321.3054 or by email at counsellor@movingforwardfamilyservices.com.
- BounceBack: a free, community resource that can point you toward steps you can take to start feeling better.
- One Voice Canada: a non-profit organization that focuses on bridging gaps between the local communities and international students.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Empower Me: 24-hour helpline for anyone in crisis. Free counselling for students enrolled in LSU Health & Dental Plan. Call 1.844.741.6389 (toll-free).
- Access & Assessment Centre (VGH) – For individuals living within Vancouver for acute mental health and addiction support including suicidality, psychiatric crises, intake, and referral. Note: As of April 3, the AAC is experiencing high demand on their services and has sometimes been challenging to access. Students are encouraged to try another resource included here if they have difficulty accessing services at the AAC. Call or walk-ins from 7:30 am–11:00 pm. Located in the Segal Family Health Centre – 803 W 12th Ave. (First Floor) – 604.675.3700
- Burnaby Outpatient Mental Health – call to make an appointment: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm – 604.453.1900
Crisis Lines
- BC Distress Services 1.800.784.2433 (toll free) or (local) 604.872.3311
- www.crisiscentrechat.ca (online chat for 19+) 12:00 pm–1:00 am
- Fraser Health Crisis Line – 24-hour crisis support. For individuals living within the Fraser Health catchment area – 604.951.8855
Langara Community Cupboard
The Langara Community Cupboard provides one week’s worth of non-perishable food items per student per week. Students can access the Community Cupboard through the Bookstore Monday to Friday from 10:00 am–3:00 pm. The Community Cupboard is not open on weekends, statutory holidays, or during campus closures. Students are asked to complete the Community Cupboard Online Form, before accessing their bag of non-perishable groceries.
Local Food Banks
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank serves Vancouver, the North Shore, Burnaby, and New Westminster.
- Beginning on April 1, existing and new members need to register for a membership.
- Please bring government identification and proof of address.
- Members may visit one Food Bank site per week.
- All sites are closed the week social assistance cheques are issued.
- Dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice so check the Greater Vancouver Food Bank website regularly.
- Members can also pick up an Annual Grocery Bag from the main office one (1) time every 12 months.
The following food banks are run by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank:
- Community Food Hub at South Van Neighbourhood House – 6470 Victoria Dr, South Vancouver (click for map)
- St. Augustine’s Church – 8680 Hudson St, South Vancouver (click for map)
- Gordon Neighborhood House – 1019 Broughton St, Downtown Vancouver (click for map)
- Hastings-Sunrise Community Food Hub at Kiwassa Neighbourhood House – 2425 Oxford St, East Vancouver (click for map)
- Skeena Terrace – 2202 Cassiar St, East Vancouver (click for map)
- St. Margaret’s Cedar Cottage Church – 1530 East 22nd Ave, East Vancouver (click for map)
- Mount Pleasant Community Centre – 1 Kingsway St, East Vancouver (click for map)
- North Shore Community Food Hub at North Shore Neighbourhood House – 225 East 2nd St, North Vancouver (click for map) (Note hours of operations changes starting June 12 to 9:00 am–11:00 am)
- South Burnaby United Church/Jubilee – 7591 Gray Ave, Burnaby (click for map)
- Southside Community Church – 7135 Walker Ave, Burnaby (click for map)
- Community Food Hub at North Burnaby Neighbourhood House – 4908 Hastings St, Burnaby (click for map)
- New West Community Food Hub – 613 Queens Ave, New Westminister (click for map)
Other Food Banks not part of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank:
- Abbotsford – Archway Community Service
- Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam – Share Society
- Richmond – Richmond Food Bank and Muslim Food Bank
- New Westminster – New Westminster City Suggestions (PDF)
- Surrey – Surrey Food Bank and Muslim Food Bank
- Surrey (South) – SourcesBC
Langara Emergency Funding
Bursary applications for spring 2021 are now closed. If you are registered as a full time, domestic, student, you may be eligible to apply next semester for our general bursaries.
Government COVID-19 Benefits and Services
Find provincial benefits and services that fit your situation.