George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
We are here to support you!
The following information is for currently registered George Brown Polytechnic students physically located in Ontario. If you reside outside of Ontario, scroll further down for other options.
If you require accommodations to access counselling services please contact your campus' counselling front desk to discuss your needs and the supports that may be available to you.
Same-day appointments
Please note: We offer a limited number of same-day appointments, as well as appointments for more urgent concerns. These appointments can only be booked directly through our Front Desk.
If you are seeking a same-day appointment or feel that you need to be seen more urgently, please contact our Front Desk to ask about availability.
How to prepare for your appointment
- Give yourself enough time. Appointments are 50 minutes long. Please arrive five to 10 minutes ahead of your virtual or in-person appointment to check in. Ensure you have enough time in your schedule to attend.
- Consider your goals for counselling. Think about what you would like to share and what you hope to get from the session. You do not need to have a clear goal, but it can help to think about what you hope might change. For example, you may want to learn strategies to manage emotions, build healthier routines, cope with stress, manage a difficult relationship, and/or explore options for additional support.
- Write down your questions or concerns. Appointments can go by quickly, and it is common to forget things in the moment. You may want to jot down questions, topics, or examples you want to mention. You can bring notes on paper or on your phone.
- Check your tech. For virtual appointments, you are required to have the camera on during the session, unless otherwise arranged for accessible accommodations. Make sure your webcam is working properly ahead of time.
- Find a private and comfortable space for your virtual session. Please ensure that you are in a private and confidential space where you can speak freely without interruptions. This will help maintain your privacy and create a safe space for your session. If you need access to a private/confidential space, you may be able to book a private room through the Library Learning Commons.
- Give yourself time after the appointment. Counselling can bring up emotions, even when the conversation is helpful. If possible, avoid scheduling something stressful immediately afterward. You may want to take a short walk, get something to eat, write down key takeaways, or spend a few minutes reflecting.
For students outside of Ontario
Due to professional restrictions, we can only offer mental health counselling to students who are physically located in the province of Ontario at the time of their appointment, in person or virtually.
If you’re not in Ontario, these FAQs may answer your inquiry:
How can I access mental health support if I'm not in Ontario?
Alumo (formerly WeSpeakStudent) is a service available through your Student Health Benefits that provides the following assistance based on your location:
- If you are located within Canada, they offer short-term mental health counselling by video or in person.
- If you are located outside of Canada, they offer mental health coaching, which assists with finding mental health support that you can access within your local area.
Alumo can be reached 24/7 at 1-855-853-0565.
What if I or someone I know needs immediate help?
If your issue is an emergency, please call 911 or visit your hospital emergency department.
While 911 is a critical resource during emergencies, we acknowledge that for some equity-deserving groups, past and present experiences with emergency response services can be complex and distressing. If this is the case for you, please reach out to any of these crisis contacts.
I am on a GBP program-specific experiential learning opportunity outside of Canada. How can I get help if I'm in crisis?
If you are travelling abroad for a program-specific experiential learning opportunity, International SOS (ISOS) can support you in the event of an emergency by connecting you to local services through the ISOS app. You may also contact the George Brown Polytechnic Emergency Line at 416-415-4000.