Create a Culture of Care

Together we can build a more supportive campus community. 

My SSP (Student Support Program) offers free, confidential 24/7 mental health support for all students. Counselling can be accessed through the free My SSP app or by calling 1.844.451.9700 (also available outside North America at 001.416.380.6578).

As a staff, faculty, or student leader you can:

• Promote My SSP by sharing contact information for My SSP and Health and Counselling Services

• Download the My SSP app on your phone and encourage students do the same

• Assist students in accessing My SSP, provided you have their consent, by doing the following: 

  • Assisted Referral: help students connect with My SSP for the first time

  • Outreach Request: ask My SSP to call the student

• Call 1.844.451.9700 anytime to request a staff/faculty consultation to receive guidance and advice from My SSP on particular issues (i.e. supporting students that may be in distress, withdrawn or isolated, and those with communication difficulties or language barriers)

• Chat with an advisor through the My SSP app for advice on navigating ways to reach out to a student in need

• Contact SFU Health and Counselling Services during office hours for assistance or to receive a consultation with HCS

Every decision we make in our roles can impact health and well-being and positively contribute to a healthy campus community. 

A healthy campus community is one where the people, processes, policies, environments and spaces contribute to well-being and success for all. Watch a short video (3:34min) illustrating how all systems within post-secondary are connected to health and well-being.

SFU’s Healthy Campus Community (HCC) vision: “Simon Fraser University is a healthy campus community where the people, programs, practices, policies, and spaces foster well-being, supporting campus members to thrive and succeed at SFU and beyond.”

As part of the Healthy Campus Community initiative, well-being is embedded within the following areas for action: 

• Learning and working environments

• Policies and processes

• Personal growth and development 

• Social connection and community engagement

• Physical spaces

• Services and supports

Collaborative and innovative projects exist related to: 

• Well-being through Physical Spaces

• Well-being in Policy & Settings

• Well-being in Learning Environments

• Thriving in Graduate School

Learn more about the Healthy Campus Community initiative and the areas for action.

Want to learn more, collaborate or join us? SFU Health Promotion collaborates with staff, faculty members, instructors, students within various departments, faculties, teams and groups to collectively build healthy and supportive campus communities by increasing campus and individual capacity. Connect with the Health Promotion team to explore opportunities of working together. Discover ways to take action to enhance student health and well-being. 

As a staff, faculty or student leader, you may directly interact with students. Creating a supportive community involves caring and responsive members that are prepared to assist and support someone in distress who may be experiencing mental health challenges. 

Learn how you can support students in distress, identify signs and assist a student in need by connecting them to available support services and resources.

• Download a printable Response Guide for Supporting Students in Distress or request a training workshop for your faculty, department, unit or team.
• Promote ways that students can support their own well-being proactively.
• Explore mental health resources available for students at SFU. 

A critical incident typically involves a traumatic event that creates a strong emotional reaction. It may interfere with the ability to manage day-to-day activities or have a negative impact on those involved. A supportive community looks out for its members and responds to critical incidents with empathy and compassion. Learn more about critical incidents and how to respond and support those involved.

Health and Counselling Services is here to educate you and raise awareness about health and well-being, mental health, resilience and self-care, supporting students in distress, support over suicide, and more. 

View available on-demand workshops and outreach opportunities and request one for your faculty, department, unit or team.

Your health and well-being also matters. You must care for yourself in order to be able to care for others. Explore health and well-being resources and support services for SFU faculty and staff.