How to access personal counselling

Friday, February 21, 2025
by IEC

Campus Wellness offers a variety of confidential services at no charge to University of Waterloo students who are currently registered or are on a co-op term.

How can counsellors help me?

Campus Wellness professionals can assist you with:

  • anxiety and stress
  • relationship concerns
  • depression and grief
  • anger management
  • crisis interventions
  • suicidal thoughts
  • addictions
  • past or present trauma

When should I see a counsellor?

If you notice any of the following situations, consider getting some support:

  • Your mood is low for more than two weeks
  • You’ve lost focus or motivation
  • You’re having difficulty sleeping, or your energy levels are poor
  • You feel extreme loneliness
  • You think about harming yourself
  • You feel extreme fear about certain situations

To book an appointment please call 519-888-4096. Wellness programs and student groups are also available.

All individual sessions and workshops are private and confidential and are conducted in a safe welcoming environment.

Off-campus resources

Mental health and wellness apps

Explore various smartphone apps below to help you improve your mental health, get quality sleep, medidate and manage anxiety.*

General Mental health Apps

  • Healthy Minds App
    • Cost: free
    • iOS
  • Happify App 

Sleep Apps

  • Relax and Sleep Well – Sleep Hypnosis App
  • Puzzle Alarm Clock App
    • Cost: free; has in-app purchases
    • Android

Safety Apps

Meditation Apps

  • Calm App 
  • Insight Timer App
  • Headspace App 

Anxiety Apps

  • Mindshift – An anxiety reduction app
  • Anxiety-free – Self-hypnosis app  
    • Cost: free; has in-app purchases
    • iOS
  • Stop Panic and Anxiety – A panic attack app
  • Breath2Relax app
  • Relax Meditation: Guided mind- Mindfulness meditation app 
    • Cost: free; has in-app purchases
    • Android  

*These application links are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the University of Waterloo of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporations or organizations or individuals that developed the application. The University of Waterloo bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

After-hours and other resources

Empower Me

Empower Me is a confidential mental health and wellness service for undergraduate and graduate students around the world. You can get support for issues like, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, substance abuse, eating disorders, financial insecurity and more. No issue is too big or too small—regardless of what you’re experiencing, you’re not alone. International students have access to support by phone 24/7, 365 days a year from 22 countries outside of Canada. If you’re country is not listed, contact Empower Me by emailing callcenter@optimaglobalhealth.com to connect you to someone where you live.

Good2Talk

Good2Talk is a free confidential help line for post-secondary students. Call 1-866-925-5454.

Grand River Hospital Mental Health Emergency Care

Grand River Hospital offers 24/7 emergency care for mental health emergencies. Call 519-749-4300 x 6880 or visit them at 834 King Street West, Kitchener.

Here 24/7

Here 24/7 is Waterloo Region’s Mental Health and Crisis Services team and offers a 24/7 helpline. Call 1-844-437-3247. 

Sexual violence supports 

The Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office on campus lists recommended supports and services, including the crisis line run by the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region that can be accessed 24/7 by calling 519-741-8633. 

University of Waterloo Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment (CMHRT)

Located on the first floor of the PAS Building, the CMHR offers accessible, effective mental health services for both students and non-students of all ages in the Region of Waterloo. For more information or to book an appointment, visit their website or call 519-888-4567 ext. 33842.

WatSAFE app

Download the WatSAFE app to have access to a list of support contacts at all times.