Emergency Services
Immediate danger, medical emergency, or immediate risk of harm to self or others.
Call 911
Mental Health & Wellness Support
Support is available for mental well-being, safety, connection, and day-to-day student stress.
You are not alone.
Professional and peer support is available through the University of Alberta and community partners.
Need help now?
For immediate danger or risk of harm, call 911.
Access 24/7, Adult Intake and Crisis Services
Urgent addiction or mental-health support, crisis intervention, or help navigating adult mental-health services when there is no imminent 911-level danger.
780-424-2424
24 hour service by phone; self-presentation listed as 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Visit website
Edmonton Distress Line
When you are in crisis, feeling overwhelmed, struggling with a difficult situation, or supporting someone in distress.
780-482-4357
24/7
Visit website
U of A Protective Services
Campus security concerns, crisis diversion, or notifying U of A after calling 911 for an on-campus emergency.
780-492-5050
24/7
Visit website
U of A Sexual Assault Centre
Support after sexual assault or abuse, sexual harassment, relationship violence, stalking, or when reviewing reporting and support options.
780-492-9771
Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Visit website
Helping Individuals at Risk (HIAR)
When you are concerned about worrisome behaviour or possible risk of harm and need to report or consult on next steps.
Visit websiteOptions Navigation Network
When seeking information about University options after sexual or gender-based violence.
211 Alberta
When you need help finding community services, basic needs, mental-health supports, newcomer services, or other Alberta resources.
211
24/7
Visit website
Quick access
Crisis Support
Immediate options for danger, urgent distress, or after-hours mental health support.
Counselling Services
Professional mental-health support for registered U of A students.
Peer Support
Free supportive listening and connection with trained student peers.
International Students
Advising, settlement, events, and transition support for international students.
Wellness resource links
- Managing stress and anxiety Skills, workshops, and support options for stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed.
- Building healthy habits Self-help, coaching, wellness planning, substance awareness, and social connection resources.
- Sleep and self-care tips CCS resources and campus supports for sleep, balance, self-care, and daily functioning.
- Connection and belonging Peer, cultural, spiritual, identity-based, and international-student connection supports.
- Urgent help and safety Emergency, crisis, sexual-violence, campus safety, and after-hours support options.
Resource directory
Resources are grouped by the kind of support students may be looking for. Crisis and safety options appear first.
Professional Mental Health Support
Therapy, psychiatry, medical care, social work, and clinical services.
Studentcare / Dialogue
Empower Me
Confidential mental-health and wellness service through the undergraduate Studentcare plan.
Visit website
Graduate Students' Association / Homewood Health
Graduate Student Assistance Program (GSAP)
24/7 confidential counselling and assistance program for U of A graduate students.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Counselling + Clinical Services
Free confidential therapy, groups, workshops, psychiatry, consultation, and referral for eligible students.
Visit website
University of Alberta
CCS Individual Therapy
One-at-a-time and short-term therapy options through Counselling + Clinical Services.
Visit website
University of Alberta
CCS Psychiatry Services
Psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and medication support through CCS with physician referral.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Wellness Supports Social Work Team
Registered social workers offering case management, system navigation, and wellness support.
Visit website
University of Alberta
University Health Centre Mental Health Support
Physician-based mental-health support, referral, and free Registered Social Worker (RSW) access through the University Health Centre.
Visit website
University of Alberta Campus Saint-Jean
Campus Saint-Jean Well-Being and Mental Health
Free confidential bilingual counselling and mental-health resources for Campus Saint-Jean students.
Visit website
University of Alberta Augustana Campus
Augustana Health + Wellness
Augustana counselling, spiritual care, online care, accessibility, and crisis-support information.
Visit website
University of Alberta
CCS Groups, Workshops and Mental Health Resources
CCS groups, workshops, and self-help resources on common mental-health and student-life concerns.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Campus Pharmacy
Full-service campus pharmacy for prescriptions, medication reviews, immunizations, and naloxone access.
Visit websiteCrisis, Safety & Urgent Support
Emergency, after-hours, violence prevention, and safety resources.
Emergency services
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate danger, a medical emergency, or immediate risk of harm.
Visit website
Alberta Health Services
Access 24/7, Adult Intake and Crisis Services
AHS addiction and mental-health intake, crisis, assessment, and navigation service for adults.
Visit website
CMHA Edmonton
Edmonton Distress Line
Free 24/7 confidential phone support for distress, crisis, or concern about someone else.
Visit website
University of Alberta
U of A Protective Services
Campus safety contact for emergencies after 911, crisis diversion, and non-emergency security concerns.
Visit website
University of Alberta
U of A Sexual Assault Centre
Free confidential support for people affected by sexual assault, harassment, relationship violence, or stalking.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Helping Individuals at Risk (HIAR)
Confidential centralized support for concerns about someone at risk of harming self or others.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Options Navigation Network
University units that help people affected by Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) understand their available options.
Visit website
211 Alberta
211 Alberta
Free confidential 24/7 helpline and online database for Alberta community and social services.
Visit website
University of Alberta Students' Union
Safewalk
Free walking accompaniment on campus and within service boundaries when you do not want to walk alone.
Visit websitePeer, Social & Community Support
Peer listening, social connection, identity-based community, and student-led support.
University of Alberta Students' Union
Peer Support Centre
Free confidential supportive listening from trained peer volunteers in a non-judgmental space.
Visit website
University of Alberta Students' Union
UASU Cares
Interactive wellness directory that helps students find campus and community resources by need.
Visit website
University of Alberta / Graduate Students' Association
Graduate Student Peer Support Program
Peer support network for graduate students navigating academic, mental, and physical well-being.
Visit website
University of Alberta Students' Union
The Landing
Queer-affirming UASU space with peer support, community building, and gender-diversity support.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Unitea
Peer and alumni-hosted tea conversations that support social connection and belonging.
Visit websiteInternational Student Transition
International student advising, transition, immigration-related stress, and adjustment.
University of Alberta
International Student + Visitor Services
International student advising, immigration resources, settlement information, events, and orientation.
Visit websiteAcademic & Life Stressors
Academic pressure, accessibility, finances, housing, and navigation support.
University of Alberta
Academic Success Centre
Academic support, appointments, advising, workshops, online courses, and writing or learning help.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Accessibility + Accommodations
Academic accommodations for eligible students with medical or non-medical restrictions.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Student Service Centre
Campus-wide starting point for questions about academic, financial, mental, and physical well-being services.
Visit websiteIdentity, Culture & Belonging
Culturally relevant, identity-affirming, spiritual, and community-specific support.
University of Alberta
First Peoples' House
Holistic, culturally grounded support and community for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Resources for Black Students
Resource list developed by the Black Students' Collective for Black students at U of A.
Visit website
University of Alberta
Interfaith Chaplains' Association
Spiritual guidance, care, support, and referral for campus community members of any or no faith.
Visit websiteSelf-Help & Wellness Skills
Workshops, apps, substance awareness, sleep, stress, habits, and self-care resources.
University of Alberta
Substance Awareness + Recovery
Harm-reduction information, support pathways, naloxone access, and recovery-community resources.
Visit website
Questions
All 11 questions in this topic
Common questions
Do international students need health insurance?
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. Do not assume you are covered until you confirm your status.
Is AHS the same as AHCIP?
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.
Sources AHCIP - Study Alberta
Who may be eligible for AHCIP?
Study Alberta says international students with a valid study permit and at least a one-year stay in Alberta may be eligible. It also gives examples for students with 12-month permits and some 3-to-12 month permits who intend to live in Alberta for at least 12 months. Apply promptly after arriving and confirm eligibility with Alberta Health if your documents or dates are unusual.
Sources AHCIP - Study Alberta
What is UAHIP?
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.
Sources Health insurance - UAlberta
What is the UASU Health and Dental Plan?
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.
Sources UASU Health and Dental Plan
What is the GSA 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.
Sources GSA Health and Dental Plan
Where can I see a doctor on or near campus?
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.
Sources University Health Centre
How do prescriptions and pharmacy coverage work?
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. Basic provincial or UAHIP coverage may not cover every prescription; the UASU or GSA Health and Dental Plan may cover part of eligible prescription costs. Check your plan details and use your pay-direct or benefits card when available so the pharmacy can bill the insurer directly.
Sources University Health Centre UASU Health and Dental Plan GSA Health and Dental Plan
What should I do in a medical emergency?
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.
Sources Need Help Now
Where can I get mental health support?
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.
Where can someone get help after sexual assault or sexual violence?
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.
Sources Need Help Now
This page is an informational directory and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency care. Last verified: June 8, 2026.
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