Maccess is a service that aims to build and maintain a campus that celebrates, advocates, and ensures inclusivity in the area of disability. A central aspect to Maccess is the provision of peer support by trained volunteers with lived experiences with disability such as chronic illness, mental illness, mental health concerns, neurodivergence, and additional identities.

SHEC is a peer-run health promotion, education, and referral service for McMaster University students. SHEC focuses on engaging with students about health-related issues through performances, peer support, fundraisers, and events. The service offers peer support, anonymous and confidential pregnancy testing, a resource library, condoms, lubricant, and menstrual products. SHEC’s space is located in MUSC 202.

WGEN is a service that caters to women, transfolk, people who identify outside the gender binary, and all survivors of sexual assault. WGEN provides a safe(r) space and resource library on campus in MUSC 204. Volunteers in the space offer peer support and the service also runs a support group for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence.

The Pride Community Centre is a service of the McMaster Students Union. We provide a contact point for McMaster students that may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or any of the other diverse identities that make up our community. We offer educational programming and access to resources of interest, as well as peer support and a physical space for students to meet and socialize with each other. As advocates for gender & sexual diversity, the PCC’s mandate upholds that LGBTQ+ students are entitled to a safe and supportive campus, absent of homophobia and transphobia, where the expression of one’s gender & sexual identity is welcomed and respected.

The Peer-to-Peer Community powered by Kids Help Phone is an online space for young people, co-created by young people. It’s a collection of moderated support forums on various topics, where you can anonymously share your experiences, offer inspiration and / or ask questions to engage with other youth across Canada.

Psychological counseling (offered in-person, over the phone, or over secure video) and academic-life services (legal consultation, financial consultation, life coaching, nutrition consultation and wellness resources offered virtually or in-person.

1-888-377-0002 

As many students do, you may find it challenging to get adequate and affordable mental health support. But did you know that Conversation, a service offered in partnership with Dialogue, helps reduce barriers to care by ensuring fast access to support? No more waiting lists and high fees!

The service allows students to register and book appointments on its online platform. Sessions take place virtually on the Dialogue platform, which means that you can see a mental health professional wherever you like, quickly and confidentially. 

Youth Wellness Centre Mobile Team of Mental Health Professionals serving McMaster students who experiencing concerns related to:

• Substance use
• Mental health
• Sexual and gender identity

Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) are for students and alumni who identify as a member of an equity-deserving group or have barriers to employment.

Equity-deserving groups include people who experience discrimination and social barriers that prevent them from receiving equal access to services and opportunities. Some equity-deserving groups include women; racialized persons; First Nations, Métis and Inuit; persons with disabilities; and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The CAPS team provides individualized support to assist with all aspects of career development including exploration, preparation and the building of skills and confidence.

Free, confidential helpline providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365.

1-866-925-5454 or dial 211 and ask to be connected to Good2Talk.

Psychological counseling (offered in-person, over the phone, or over secure video) and academic-life services (legal consultation, financial consultation, life coaching, nutrition consultation and wellness resources offered virtually or in-person)

As many students do, you may find it challenging to get adequate and affordable mental health support. But did you know that Conversation, a service offered in partnership with Dialogue, helps reduce barriers to care by ensuring fast access to support?

The service allows students to register and book appointments on its online platform. Sessions take place virtually on the Dialogue platform, which means that you can see a mental health professional wherever you like, quickly and confidentially

Provides a safe environment in the community and responds to the needs of individuals, 16 years of age or older, who experience a mental health crisis and do not require a hospital stay. Confidential and free services 24/7/365.

24 Hour Crisis Line: 905-529-7878
Toll Free: 1-844-777-3571

Distress Centre Halton provides telephone and online support to people to better cope with crisis, loneliness, and emotional stress. Also serves the Hamilton area.

905-849-4541

Confidential, anonymous 24-hour nonjudgmental telephone support for adults who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives; will provide accompaniment to hospital or police station for survivors wishing to seek medical attention or report; counselling services & public education

905-525-4162

Free, anonymous and confidential telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse.

Provides crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 24/7/365.

Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511
TTY: 1-866-863-7868

CBT skills-building for mild to moderate depression and anxiety for people 15 or older. If accessed through self-referral, the client’s primary care provider will be notified.

1-866-345-0224

The MSU Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a benefit provided at no cost to all undergraduate McMaster students. The program is free, confidential, voluntary and accessible for McMaster students, their roommates and immediate family members.

The SAP, available 24/7 through multi-lingual calls, online chats, or texts, provides on-demand counselling with mental health experts, as well as professional consultation in the areas of nutrition, academic success, life skills, legal affairs, and more.

Though Empower Me, counselors are completely qualified to support graduate students in crisis. What’s great about Empower Me is that you don’t need to be in crisis in order to take advantage of their services. You could speak to a life coach about subjects like personal performance, well-being and growth, career, relationships, and finances.

More Feet on the Ground provides a listing of mental health resources by province, as well as some international listings of resources.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-800-273-8255

Provides crisis and suicide support for LGBTQ youth throught phone, text, or online chat.

1-866-488-7386

Text START to 678678

HOPELineUK is a confidential support and advice service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide.

0-800-068-4141

If you’re stuck feeling bad they will help you figure out if it could be anxiety or depression. Whatever’s going on you’ll find ideas and people who can help you get unstuck.

Text 5626

Confidential support for to people in emotional crisis, or distress or those close to them. Click below to view lists of helplines from all countries

The guides, toolkits and resources throughout this site represent a compilation of suicide prevention resources from various sources across Canada. Click below for a full list of Canadian helplines in all provinces and territories.

If you live outside of Canada, this website provides access to more than 70 suicide hotlines around the world.

What is a financial emergency?

• No money for food, rent or utilities
• Pending eviction from your place of residence
• Negative circumstances outside of your control

Visit the website linked or contact student.services@mcmaster.ca

Hamilton Food Share is an emergency food bank hub that supplies healthy food to 12 food banks and hot meal programs across Hamilton. Food banks have changed their service models to ensure proper social distancing measures are in place and will be providing prepackaged meals or food hampers.

Dental practices that currently meet COVID-19 safety standards, including access to and ability to safely use N95 masks, gloves, eye protection, face shields and protective gowns.

Provides tools and resources to help get Canadians back on track. These include modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues.

Through a set of daily messages, people receive advice and encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency.

Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe.

Countless meditation resources and links to daily ten-minute meditation live streams.

Navigators are available to ‘meet’ via zoom or WebEx with students from any faculty to help students who might be feeling lonely or isolated. They are best suited to try to help students problem solve and connect with the right resources, they are also an empathetic ear with some shared experiences so they might be really helpful to folks during this time.

This site is designed to provide information and suggestions about how best to cope in this difficult time. 

If you are in any kind of distress/need due to COVID, please contact one of the following.

Get to know the difference between quartine (self-isolate) & isolate. More information about how you can prevent the spread of COVID 19 through social (physical) distancing, hand washing, cleaning and more.

Service updates and how to access various support services in Hamilton during COVID-19.

Links and resources including testing centres, health information, assistance programs and international help.

PCC is a student-run service provided by the MSU that aims to challenge oppressive social attitudes and norms, patriarchy, homo/trans/bi/lesbophobia, and the like, at the systemic level. PCC provides a contact point for McMaster students that may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or any of the other diverse identities that make up our community.

The Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) works closely with staff, students and faculty members to advance equity and inclusion by promoting an environment of respect, safety, collegiality and openness.

UH 104
ext. 27581

The MSU Women & Gender Equity Network (WGEN) is a peer support driven service that caters to women, trans folk, people who identify outside the gender binary, gender non-conforming folk and all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence from all gender identities.

A support resource advocating for education and normalization of ranging sexual orientations.

Confidential, non-judgemental & informed LGBTQQ2SI peer support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.

Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people. Available 24/7.

1-877-330-6366 

Trans Wellness Ontario is committed to providing quality of care and services while ensuring a healthy and safe environment to our clients and team members. Check out upcoming events.

Resources for the LGBTQIA2S+ Community. This page provides information on support groups, committees, drop in centers, websites, etc. specifically catering to the community.

The BSSC exists to connect Black students to the programs, people, and resources that will nurture their academic and personal growth. Our programmes and services focus on building a sense of belonging and safety amongst McMaster’s Black students.

The permanent home of the BSSC is in PGCLL (M07)

The Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) promotes and supports institution-wide commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and principles of inclusive excellence, to foster a campus culture and community that respect the human rights, integrity and dignity of all community members.

The Black Student Mentorship Program (BSMP) was established in 2020 to create community among Black students and faculty at McMaster. The program’s core objectives include improving Black student academic performance, strengthening awareness of resources, creating a safe space for relationship building among peers and faculty, and fostering a sense of belonging within the wider McMaster community.

Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) are for students and alumni who identify as a member of an equity-deserving group or have barriers to employment.

SWC Wellness Program

“Let’s explore the imposter syndrome phenomenon from a unique Black perspective that is internalized through structural anti-Blackness. In this 5-week group session, Black students will reflect on lived experiences to identify, understand feelings of impostering and learn its impact with mental distress. We will discuss what’s harming your confidence and impeding on your ambitions. In addition, Black students will gain strategies and tools to increase self-acceptance and personal empowerment to thrive.”

SWC Wellness Program

The Diaspora’s Digest is a self-care practicing space where Black students can see themselves reflected in books that they’re reading together – increasing self-worth, personal confidence and peer connections.

SWC Wellness Program

The student led Black X-Scape offers space for Black students to have safe and liberating discussions about mental health and healing. Black students can freely express themselves, have conversations on the nuances of mental health, wellness, stigma, and more. Sharing resources, support, coping skills and collective healing, in addition to exploring and expanding on meaningful Blackness.

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful, and equitable workplace.

The Black Alliance Internship Program (BAIP) is a one-year paid internship program, being piloted in 2022, that offers recent Black and Black bilingual (French-English) post-secondary graduates an opportunity to intern across a variety of professional positions within the OPS.

There are a variety of services available for Aboriginal students at McMaster, as well as a welcoming and friendly staff who are here to support you. 

LRW 1010 

ext. 23788 

indigenous.admin@mcmaster.ca 

The Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) promotes and supports institution-wide commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and principles of inclusive excellence, to foster a campus culture and community that respect the human rights, integrity and dignity of all community members.

CISSA  was developed as a means to further promote and support Indigenous peoples, knowledge, and culture. Their mission is to raise awareness of Indigenous issues within the McMaster, Hamilton, and Six Nations communities and to foster a sense of welcoming and belonging to all Indigenous learners and Indigenous Studies students.

IEC is the primary body responsible for promoting and advocating for the advancement of Indigenous education at McMaster, championing the needs of Indigenous students, staff and faculty members, and providing advice to the University on all Indigenous matters. Meetings are open to the public and there are opportunities for students and community members to sit on the council.

For more information please contact the Program Administrator.

Support for equity-deserving students. Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) can help you overcome any barriers you may experience during your career journey. We can help with accommodations, guidance on how and when to disclose a disability and more.

Native Women’s Centre  provides safe, emergency shelter for all women regardless of age, ancestry, culture, place of origin or sexual orientation with or without children who are experiencing crisis in their lives due to family violence, homelessness, or conflict with the law.

The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) organizes social events and gatherings based in Metis culture and the promotion of health and wellness. Contact the Hamilton branch for more information on local events.