Mental Health
Support is available for mental well-being, safety, connection, and day-to-day student stress.
Sources last verified September 4, 2026
For immediate danger or risk of harm, call 911.
Everything on this page
Showing all 32 resources.
Studentcare / Dialogue
Confidential mental-health and wellness service through the undergraduate Studentcare plan.
Graduate Students' Association / Homewood Health
24/7 confidential counselling and assistance program for U of A graduate students.
University of Alberta
Free confidential therapy, groups, workshops, psychiatry, consultation, and referral for eligible students.
University of Alberta
One-at-a-time and short-term therapy options through Counselling + Clinical Services.
University of Alberta
Psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and medication support through CCS with physician referral.
University of Alberta
Registered social workers offering case management, system navigation, and wellness support.
University of Alberta
Physician-based mental-health support, referral, and free Registered Social Worker (RSW) access through the University Health Centre.
University of Alberta Campus Saint-Jean
Free confidential bilingual counselling and mental-health resources for Campus Saint-Jean students.
University of Alberta Augustana Campus
Augustana counselling, spiritual care, online care, accessibility, and crisis-support information.
University of Alberta
CCS groups, workshops, and self-help resources on common mental-health and student-life concerns.
University of Alberta
Full-service campus pharmacy for prescriptions, medication reviews, immunizations, and naloxone access.
Emergency services
Call 911 for immediate danger, a medical emergency, or immediate risk of harm.
Alberta Health Services
AHS addiction and mental-health intake, crisis, assessment, and navigation service for adults.
CMHA Edmonton
Free 24/7 confidential phone support for distress, crisis, or concern about someone else.
University of Alberta
Campus safety contact for emergencies after 911, crisis diversion, and non-emergency security concerns.
University of Alberta
Free confidential support for people affected by sexual assault, harassment, relationship violence, or stalking.
University of Alberta
Confidential centralized support for concerns about someone at risk of harming self or others.
University of Alberta
University units that help people affected by Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) understand their available options.
211 Alberta
Free confidential 24/7 helpline and online database for Alberta community and social services.
University of Alberta Students' Union
Free walking accompaniment on campus and within service boundaries when you do not want to walk alone.
University of Alberta Students' Union
Free confidential supportive listening from trained peer volunteers in a non-judgmental space.
University of Alberta / Graduate Students' Association
Peer support network for graduate students navigating academic, mental, and physical well-being.
University of Alberta Students' Union
Queer-affirming UASU space with peer support, community building, and gender-diversity support.
University of Alberta
Peer and alumni-hosted tea conversations that support social connection and belonging.
University of Alberta
International student advising, immigration resources, settlement information, events, and orientation.
University of Alberta
Academic support, appointments, advising, workshops, online courses, and writing or learning help.
University of Alberta
Academic accommodations for eligible students with medical or non-medical restrictions.
University of Alberta
Campus-wide starting point for questions about academic, financial, mental, and physical well-being services.
University of Alberta
Holistic, culturally grounded support and community for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students.
University of Alberta
Resource list developed by the Black Students' Collective for Black students at U of A.
University of Alberta
Spiritual guidance, care, support, and referral for campus community members of any or no faith.
University of Alberta
Harm-reduction information, support pathways, naloxone access, and recovery-community resources.
Questions
Yes. UAlberta states that international students must have basic health insurance. Depending on your immigration status, length of stay, age, and residency situation, you may be covered through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) or through UAHIP.
Before you rely on this
SourcesHealth insurance - UAlbertaAHCIP: coverage for students
No. Students often say “register for AHS,” but the public health insurance plan is AHCIP, administered through Alberta Health. Alberta Health Services (AHS) operates health services such as hospitals and Health Link 811. For insurance registration, look for AHCIP instructions.
SourcesAHCIP: coverage for students
Alberta Health says you may be eligible with a 12-month study permit for an Alberta institution if you will live in Alberta for 12 months or more. A permit of more than 6 but less than 12 months can also qualify, with a letter from your school confirming your enrolment and your intention to stay at least 12 months. Students transferring from another province with 6 or more months left on that permit may also be eligible.
Before you rely on this
SourcesAHCIP: coverage for students
UAHIP is the University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan for international students, employees, and families in Canada who are not eligible for provincial coverage. It is intended as basic health coverage when AHCIP is not available. Registered students are typically enrolled by the university after course registration is confirmed, but check your UAlberta email and UAHIP instructions.
SourcesHealth insurance - UAlberta
The UASU Health and Dental Plan is extended coverage for undergraduate students. It helps cover services that basic provincial or UAHIP coverage does not normally cover, such as some prescription, dental, vision, and paramedical services. You generally need basic health coverage (AHCIP, another provincial plan, or UAHIP) to use the extended plan.
SourcesUASU Health and Dental Plan
The GSA Health and Dental Plan is extended coverage for eligible graduate students. It is separate from basic AHCIP or UAHIP and can include additional health, dental, vision, and travel benefits. Graduate students should check the GSA page for current enrollment, opt-out, family add-on, and change-of-coverage deadlines.
SourcesGSA Health and Dental Plan
The University Health Centre can serve as a primary care provider for students and offers health services to UAlberta students, employees, and eligible family members. For non-emergency needs such as checkups, minor illness, prescription refills, or referrals, use the University Health Centre, a family doctor, or a walk-in clinic. Hospital emergency departments are for severe, urgent, or life-threatening problems. For immediate danger call 911; for non-emergency health advice in Alberta, call Health Link at 811.
SourcesUniversity Health Centre
A doctor, nurse practitioner, or other authorized prescriber writes the prescription, and you take it to a pharmacy. The Campus Pharmacy in Students' Union Building is one convenient option, but you can use other pharmacies too. Check your plan details and use your pay-direct or benefits card when available so the pharmacy can bill the insurer directly.
Before you rely on this
SourcesUniversity Health CentreUASU Health and Dental PlanGSA Health and Dental Plan
Call 911 for immediate danger, a life-threatening emergency, or a situation needing ambulance, police, or fire response. For non-emergency health advice in Alberta, call Health Link at 811. If you are near campus and need emergency hospital care, the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department is close to North Campus.
SourcesNeed Help Now
For non-crisis support, UAlberta Counselling and Clinical Services offers confidential counselling and psychiatric services to eligible students. The UASU Peer Support Centre offers free, confidential, non-judgmental supportive listening and referrals. Graduate students can also use the Graduate Student Assistance Program (GSAP). For immediate danger call 911; for crisis lines use 9-8-8 or the Edmonton Distress Line.
The UAlberta Sexual Assault Centre provides confidential support, crisis intervention, information, and referrals for survivors and supporters. You do not need to make a formal complaint to ask for support. In immediate danger, call 911.
SourcesNeed Help Now
Do not assume your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage renews automatically. Its expiry can be tied to your immigration document. If you applied before your permit expired and have not been refused, contact AHCIP to ask about a temporary coverage extension; the first extension can be up to 90 days if you qualify.
Before you rely on this
SourcesHealth care coverage for temporary residentsU of A international student health insurance
This page is an informational directory and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency care.
