Resources

Edmonton Vocal minority 

• A mixed-voice choir that offers an opportunity for personal and musical growth in a safe, supportive and creative environment.
• http://www.evmchoir.com/index.htm

The University of Alberta:

• International student services: immigration, cultural, and academic information for you to have the most comfortable experience while in Edmonton. Has advisors for one on one or group questions about immigration (i.e visa, permit, future steps). Creates an international community by hosting social and education events that allow students to create connections and fight the international student blues. Check out their peer program, immigration services and their support page.

The Africa Centre for Canadians of African descent: https://www.africacentre.ca/

• Has services ranging from gender equality to employment and skill development.
• Partnered with Alberta Black Therapist Network to offer free counseling with culturally-trained counsellors to address accessibility of mental health services for Black communities in Alberta (online and in person).

University of Alberta cultural associations

• Connecting with people with a similar background can make the student experience slightly less daunting! The are a wide variety of clubs on campus that work on creating a cultural community.
• Some examples: Aboriginal student council, Arab student association, Chinese students and scholar association, Indian association, Latin American student association.
• https://alberta.campuslabs.ca/engage/organizations?categories=27

First peoples’ house

• Provides an environment of empowerment for First nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) learners to achieve personal and academic growth.
• Offers physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, academic and financial support for the students while honouring the indigenous worldview of education.
• Some of their events and supports: TAWOW welcoming event, a transition year program, housing, community meals.
• https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/first-peoples-house/index.html

Pride Centre of Edmonton: https://pridecentreofedmonton.ca/resources/

• Provide supports that respond to the needs of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and of the people in their lives. There is a collection of counselling, legal, health care and gender transition resources available, specifically tailored to the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

The rainbow pages

• The yellow-pages for LGBTQ+ youth resources in Edmonton, including health supports, transgender supports, and affmirning churches and congregations.
• https://www.therainbowpages.ca

LGBTQ+ Newcomer Services 

• Provides one on one support services, group supports, information referrals and settlement advice for individual newcomers to Canada.
• Also available for people with permanent residency, refugee claimants, and any LGBTQ+ people with other status in Canada.
• https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/lgbtq

Egale

• National organization that educates and advocates for the LGBTQI2S community, and also provides inclusivity training for organizations and schools.
• https://egale.ca

Trans lifeline 

• North american organization that connects trans people to the resources they need, including a peer support hotline and microgrants
• https://translifeline.org

The University of Alberta:

• Mental Health Resources: Our University offers a variety of mental health support services (counselling, wellness clinics, etc.), you can find helpful links and resources here.
• University workshops: Counselling and clinical services offer a number of workshops that are relevant to academia (managing perfectionism, imposter syndrome, managing stress) and can be found here.
• Grief and Loss Resources: Building on mental health support there are services in place if you experience grief and loss, these can be found here.

The Canadian Mental Health Association: https://alberta.cmha.ca/getting-help/help-right-now/

• Provides a great collection of advice and resources that address mental health, please explore their website!
• There is also a collection of virtual seminars addressing stress, fatigue, caregiving, substance abuse and so much more: https://alberta.cmha.ca/alberta-recovery-colleges/

Mind your mind:  https://mindyourmind.ca

• Another fantastic resource offering a variety of wellness articles on topical subjects (e.g. coping with transitions in a pandemic, allyship, coping with seasonal affective disorder).
• Their help section offers advice on where to find help, how to help friends and help defining your emotions.

Access 24/7 (Addiction and mental health): https://mentalhealthfoundation.ca/onedooryeg/

• One point of contact for mental health and/or addiction-related concerns
• Provides phone and in-person assessment, crisis outreach and stabilization around the clock, every day of the year.
• Support for individuals and families

PsyVitaliti (coverage under student health plan)

• In person or online psychology to help you navigate the ups and downs of (student) life.
• https://studentcare.ca/talkitout/

The University of Alberta:

• Sexual Assault Centre: The University has a specific centre dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault and violence, they have an open-door policy and currently offer virtual drop-in sessions; they offer a number of informative resources and well-researched workshops throughout the year. You can find more information here.

Sexual Assault Centre Edmonton: https://www.sace.ca

• Offer free services to all genders and all ages (3+) including individual and group counselling.

Saffron 

• Counselling services for people that have suffered from sexual assault, abuse and sexual violence, as well as those person who have been affected by sexual assault (i.e support persons, family members, etc).
• Provides active education regarding sexual assault, abuse and sexual violence to all individuals and to change attitudes, beliefs and myths surrounding sexual assault.
• 780-449-0900
• https://www.saffroncentre.com