UBC Student Assistance Program (SAP)

What is the UBC Student Assistance Program?

The UBC Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a free, 24/7 wellness resource for students. Services include personal counselling, life coaching, group programs and more based on your needs.

UBC SAP can help you with a wide range of concerns to support your mental, emotional, physical, and financial health including:

Student life 
  • Academic stress
  • Time management
  • Coping with change
  • Relationships
  • Personal issues
  • Legal issues
Finances
  • Saving 
  • Investing
  • Budgeting 
  • Managing debt
  • Home buying or renting
Health and wellness
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression
  • Addiction
  • Crisis, grief, trauma
  • Fitness, nutrition, sleep

Top reasons to access the service

  • Available 24/7
  • Choice of phone, video, and face-to-face, where available
  • Confidential and safe space to discuss your concerns
  • Offered in multiple languages
  • Directs you to wellness and counselling resources based on your needs

How it works

  1. Access the service through phone, on the website, or using the mobile app.
  2. You will be greeted by a nurse care specialist, who will ask you for your contact information.
  3. The nurse care specialist will ask some details about what you’re experiencing, the kind of support you are looking for, and will recommend the best course of action. You will be able to choose the approach for your appointment: by phone, video, or face-to-face, where available.

If you're in immediate need of help, the nurse care specialist can transfer you to a counsellor to provide “in-the-moment support”.

If you do not need immediate help, you will be referred to a professional in your area who will contact you within 5 business days to book an appointment.

Accessing the service

The UBC Student Assistance Program is available 24/7 and is free for all registered UBC students.

By phone

On the website

Sign up for an account in the Aspiria platform by using the access code ubcvc.

On the website, you can find resources, complete self-assessments, participate in soft-skills courses, and attend webinars. Your participation in activities and bookmarked resources will be saved in your profile in the top right corner.

You can also connect with a counsellor by submitting an online request. You'll receive a response in 1 to 2 business days. For immediate support, please call the toll free number above.

Through the mobile app

Download the “Aspiria - SAP powered by Snapclarity” mobile app through Google Play or the Apple App Store and use the login code ubcvc.

The app offers several different services:

  • Click on “My Therapist” to submit an online request for a referral to counselling. A counsellor will respond within 1 to 2 business days.
  • Use the “Digital Coach” to browse self-help resources online.
  • Click on “For You” to complete an online mental health assessment.

Other health resources

To find out which options are available to you, answer a few questions and get a list of support resources specific to your needs.

Go to the tool