Your well-being matters to us, and we are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming challenges that may feel overwhelming.
We provide a secure, confidential, and judgment-free environment where you can access counseling and support for a wide range of issues.
There are both in-person and remote (telephone/video) appointments available, walk-ins are also welcome.
If you are in crisis, call the Canada-wide suicide hotline 988 or 911.
What Is Counselling?
Counselling is a process where the counsellor helps you develop problem-solving strategies to cope with concerns or problems happening in your life.
Gender-Based Violence/Sexual Violence
Gender-based violence and sexual violence affects people of all ages, sexual orientations, genders and relationship.
Student Mental Health & Well-Being Strategy
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that supports the diverse mental health and well-being needs of our students.
988 Canada-wide Suicide Hotline
Call 988 - A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
211 Essential Service
Call 211 - Connects you to expert, caring help. Every call is completely confidential.
Campus Security - 780-623-5587
Staff are available to assist you. Phones with direct lines to Campus Security are located at a variety of locations on campus.
REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors)
Portage College has partnered with REES to provide online reporting for sexual violence on campus. REES allows members of our campus community to Create a Record of the incident and choose from multiple reporting options: Anonymous Report, Connect to My Campus, or Repeat Perpetrator Identification. REES provides information about campus and community-based resources such as sexual assault centers, healthcare, and support services.
Counselling Services
24/7 Helplines:
For emergencies, call 9-1-1
Addictions Helpline, 1-866-332-2322
Alberta Mental Health Helpline, 1-877-303-2642
Canada-wide Suicide Hotline, call 988 or go to website for more information.
Emergency Income Support Contact Centre, 1-866-644-5135
Family Violence Info Line, Call or text 310-1818 or online chat at https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-find-supports
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline, 1-855-242-3310 or chat at https://m2.icarol.com/ConsumerRegistration.aspx?org=2181&pid=10
Health Link, health advise, Call 811
Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
211 Community Supports Finder, Call 211, text INFO to 211, or chat online https://ab.211.ca/
Trans Lifeline, Call call 1-877-330-6366, for more information visit https://translifeline.org/hotline/
Additional Resources:
Alberta Supports, 1-877-644-9992 (7:30 am – 8:00 pm)
Sexual Violence & Gender-Based Violence
Personal counselling and mental health services are confidential and available to all students.
Counselling provides an opportunity to explore issues in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. Students seek help for a variety of issues such as; dealing with stress, personal relationships, feeling isolated or depressed and bereavement to name a few.
Sometimes coping with one or more of these stresses can prove to be overwhelming. Our professional student counselling staff are here to help!
Mental Health Resources
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders - Canadian Mental Health Association
Depression
Depression - Canadian Mental Health Association
LGBTQ2S+
Gender Unicorn - Trans Student Educational Resources
LGBTQ Resources - The Lifeline Canada Foundation
What Does LGBTQ+ Mean? - KW Counselling Services
Mental Health
General Mental Health Resources - Psych Central
Helpful Mental Health Apps List
Self Help Resources - Centre for Clinical Intervention
Sexual Abuse
Local Support for all Campus Locations - The Dragonfly Centre
Men & Sexual Abuse - 1in6
Portage College Sexual Violence: Support & Prevention
Smoking, Drinking, Drug & Other Addictions
About Addiction - Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Alcohol Addiction, Get the Facts - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism
Caffeine Use Information - Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Cannabis Use - Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Get the Facts About Cannabis - Government of Canada
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health - Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Information about Drugs - Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Smoking Cessation - AlbertaQuits
Classroom Workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of students. Past workshops requested by instructors have included: relaxation techniques and anxiety reduction. These in-class workshops are a terrific way to engage students and are tied to some of programs offered at the College.
Lunchtime workshops in the Library will be offered on demand. They provide information and support to students in a peer supported environment. Previous topics have included relaxation techniques, stress management, anxiety and anxiety reduction.
Workshops and Sessions can be tailored to student or instructor program needs.
Session Topics
- Addictions—Gain an understanding of addiction and recovery, learn how to respond supportively, and reduce stigma.
- Anxiety—Strategies for reducing anxiety are shared.
- Community Helpers Program—Offered as individual presentations Sign up and Instructions for the following modules:
- How to respond to a crisis (90 min)
- Mental Health Awareness (90 min)
- You Can Help Yourself too (90 min)
- Self-care (90 min)
- Boundaries and What to Do About Them (90 min)
- Enabling students to protect their mental health (90 min)
- Suicide prevention (3 hrs) if requested - Conflict/Anger Management—Acquire skills to resolve conflicts, deal with feelings of anger, and improve communication.
- Grief and Loss Workshop—Offer an opportunity for individuals or groups to debrief about various topics or events in a safe and non-threatening atmosphere.
- Loneliness and Depression—Moving away from home can be an adjustment for students, this workshop gives students skills and strategies to help them focus on school and make that transition.
- Relaxation—Learn how to cope with stress through relaxation and refocusing.
- Self-Awareness—Learn communication skills that promote respect for self and others and help to express one’s needs and wants.
Call 780-623-5578 to schedule a workshop or session.
Stay in the Know!
- The Counselling & Wellness Moodle Page is updated with upcoming events and initiatives. There is also a wealth of information in this hub.
- Follow us on Facebook, Portage College Counselling and Mental Health Support for more information and shared community posts.
- Download and check in on the Portage App to also see campus mental health initiatives.
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.