Resources for students
Counselling Services offers an array of resources for students. View the links below that will help guide you to resources for coping with COVID, anxiety, study skills, mindfulness and more.
Request an appointment with an OC Counsellor
On this page:
Do you need after-hours support?
Here2Talk
Here2Talk offers free, confidential counselling and community referral services 24/7 to B.C. post-secondary students. Access the services by the app, website or by calling: 1-877-857-3397 in Canada. If you are outside Canada, dial +1-604-642-5212; international calling charges may apply.
KUU-US Crisis Line
KUU-US is an Indigenous, B.C.-wide crisis line offering culturally safe crisis response to Indigenous people at risk. The line operates 24/7 and
- Adults/elders: 250-723-4050
- Child/youth: 250-723-2040
- Toll free: 1-800-588-8717
Crisis Line
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, help is available.
You can reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline by texting or calling 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada.
Community resources
TalkCampus
TalkCampus is an online global mental health peer support network allowing students access to instant, online peer support 24/7. Students can download the TalkCampus app on Google Play/App Store. Register using your College e-mail (firstname.lastname@myokanagan.bc.ca)
Foundry (Kelowna, Penticton)
Foundry offers young people 12-24 access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services.
YouthSpace
A place for any youth, under 30, that is experiencing any sort of crisis to come and talk. Open between 6pm - Midnight (PST). Online chat (youthspace.ca), or SMS text chat (778-783-0177).
Virtual Counselling Resources
Interior Health offers free virtual counselling resources through the Canadian Mental Health Association's Community Action Initiative
Foundry virtual services
Access virtual services through the Foundry BC app — co-created with and for youth and their caregivers in British Columbia.
YMind
Young Adult Mindfulness Group through the YMCA is a free psychoeducational support group for young adults ages 18–30 over seven weeks.
Tips and techniques
- Time management worksheets
- For more tips on organizing effective study groups:
- Learning Styles: We all learn differently. Find out your preferred way to learn and strategies you can use to improve your learning experience. View the learning styles inventory.
- The Complete Guide to Effective Studying
- How to Study: HowToStudy.com provides free links to valuable sites on the Internet related to the subject of studying. HowToStudy.com has been developed by former students who, just like many students now, had a tough time adjusting from high school to university or college.
- Watch some short helpful videos on:
- Time Management: http://youtu.be/VUk6LXRZMMk
- How to Beat Procrastination: http://youtu.be/Qvcx7Y4caQE
- How to fit everything in: http://youtu.be/j6m9WnNdpSw
- Note Taking: http://youtu.be/UAhRf3U50lM
- How to Study for a Test: http://youtu.be/mPTh8OEBwEo
- How to Sleep Better: http://youtu.be/3eLfn7Ewx_s
- How to Meditate 101: http://youtu.be/lWIFMfEgc8A
- Stress Management Techniques: http://youtu.be/0fL-pn80s-c
- Stress Management: http://youtu.be/I6402QJp52M
- Mood Disorders Society of Canada
- Self-Help Resources - Centre for Clinical Interventions
- If you looking for specific information about different types of mental health challenges then the ‘workbooks' or sets of modules on this website may be helpful for you.
- Here to Help
- Access to quality information on mental health, mental illness and substance use problems.
- Anxiety Canada
- Online resource providing self-help information, community programs and workshops in British Columbia + resources for parents, caregivers treating anxiety.
- Self-Help Resources - Centre for Clinical Interventions
- If you looking for specific information about different types of mental health challenges then the ‘workbooks' or sets of modules on this website may be helpful for you.
- Here to Help
- Access to quality information on mental health, mental illness and substance use problems.
Exam anxiety: A prezi recorded presentation for OC students (38 mins total) on exam anxiety.
- Part 1: Understanding exam anxiety:
- Learn more about why we experience anxiety, what is happening in our mind and body when we are feeling anxious in an exam, and why this is important for coping with our anxiety. (10 mins)
- Part 2: Responding to exam anxiety:
- Provides information and demonstrations of some strategies to calm our mind and body so we can cope and perform better in our exam. (15 mins)
- Part 3: Bringing it all together: Before, during and after the exam:
- An overview with tips to practice before, during and after the exam, along with some resources for further support. (8 minutes)
Please see the guide Strategies for Managing ADHD - A Resource Guide for College Students, developed to help you create your own ADHD Owner’s Manual by providing different examples of tools and strategies to try out.
Here are some resources to help you develop healthier sleep habits:
- From Surviving To Thriving
- Take Control of Your Phone: Learn some tips to live intentionally with your technology and devices at: www.humanetech.com/take-control/
- Disconnect from tech video
- Mindshift is a free app that you can use to learn about anxiety, assess your anxiety, plan strategies for dealing with it, and help yourself relax.
- Calm is an app (free & paid subscription) for meditation and mindfulness. Enjoy 100+ guided meditations to help you manage anxiety, lower stress and sleep better.
- Insight Timer is a free app that is home to over 5,500,000 meditators.
- Buddhify is an app (for purchase) where you'll find guided meditations for walking, stress & difficult emotion, work break, going to sleep, waking up and many other different categories
- SFU Health and Counselling (website) guided exercises - has links to audio and video recordings to guide you through mindfulness and relaxation exercises.
- Self-compassion - has guided meditations, handouts and other information. This is an all-in-one resource for self-compassion.
Choosing a career may be one of the most important decisions you make as it will likely have a major influence on your lifestyle. Accordingly, we don't recommend the "pin the tail" approach for career decision making.
Developed at Toronto Metropolitan University, Thriving in Action Online is an innovative resource to help you live with intention, learn with confidence, transform your relationship to school, and experience sustainable success, however you define it. Learn to love being a student.
TalkCampus
TalkCampus is an online global mental health peer support network allowing students access to instant, online peer support 24/7. Students can download the TalkCampus app on Google Play/App Store. Register using your College e-mail (firstname.lastname@myokanagan.bc.ca)
Wellness Peer Ambassadors
Okanagan College Student Wellness Peer Ambassador program is focused on supporting the physical, emotional, academic/career, social, creative, spiritual, environmental, financial and intellectual well-being of students. It is their role to coordinate and deliver events and activities, often in partnership with others, according to these diverse yet equally important areas of wellness. It is a holistic endeavour.
To learn more information about the roles and responsibilities of a Wellness Peer Ambassadors or to get involved , please visit: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/student-health-and-wellness
Check out Counselling Services' YouTube channel to watch videos with helpful tips and techniques from past Flourish sessions on dealing with anxiety.