The Counselling Centre offers a variety of programming to help students build mental health literacy and learn skills to improve their wellness. Most programs are drop-in and open to all students but be sure to check the program description for details! Please email counselling@smu.ca with any questions about our programs.
Mental Health Advocates (MHA) is an online program designed by The Counselling Centre to provide students with information about different topics in mental health. We recognize that students are eager to learn more about topics such as grief and loss, healthy relationships, stress management, and other mental health topics.
MHA can be accessed through Brightspace. To register, simply login to your account, go to the “Discover” tab, and select “Mental Health Advocates”. You will find over 20 modules for you to choose from. You can complete all the modules if you choose to, or you can only go through the modules that are best for you.
Modules include:
Students who complete 10 or more modules are eligible to have it included on their Co Curricular Recognition (CCR)!
Are you a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and love playing board games? Or maybe just looking to make more friends on campus? Come to Queer Board Games Night (QBGN) to meet fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ peers and allies in a fun, inclusive environment!
QBGN is a drop-in program hosted by the 2SLGBTQIA+ Wellness Ambassador. Sometimes it can be difficult to meet new friends and make connections. We hope this provides an opportunity to meet people you may not have otherwise known. Some of the health benefits of social connection include reduced anxiety and depression, better ability to regulate emotions, and improved immune functioning. Open to students who are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies!
Join us this Fall:
Date TBA
The Healthy Minds Newsletter is a bi-weekly e-newsletter published by The Counselling Centre. It highlights upcoming Counselling Centre events and programs, introduces student staff members and shares mental health resources. Students can opt-in to receive the newsletter by emailing HealthyMinds@smu.ca.
Distribution runs from September to April, annually.
Looking for a group of like-minded people? The Neurodiversity Skills & Support Space is an opportunity to connect with peers, learn from each other, and meet campus resources!
The program runs on for 5 weeks on Wednesdays at 2:30-3:45 p.m. in AT216.
Oct. 14 - What is Neurodiversity?
Oct. 21 - Stress Management
Oct. 28 - Time Management
Nov. 4 - Academic Success
Nov. 18 - Relationships & Communication
Students are welcome to attend as many sessions as they like! The group is open to any student who identifies as neurodivergent.
Sessions are facilitated by The Counselling Centre, the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility and the Student Success Centre.
REGISTER HERE: Fall 2026 - Neurodivergent Skills & Support Space Registration – Fill out form
Email counselling@smu.ca with any questions.
*Our last Name Change Clinic took place in Fall 2025. Stay tuned for another one in Fall 2026!
Name Change Clinic – Fall 2026
The Name Change Clinic provides an opportunity for students to complete legal forms to change their name and/or sex indicator. We will provide paper copies of the required forms.
What to expect:
Students are strongly advised to bring their birth certificates, as all birth certificates must be included when students submit their application. Information on a certificate can be useful in filling out forms. Students should also bring a form of government ID.
There will be a cost of $170 for the application and $78.20 for fingerprinting. We are actively seeking funding and will confirm by email to registered students if we are able to provide funding.
Please contact counselling@smu.ca with any questions.
This program has concluded for the Fall 2025 semester. Check back for future events!
The Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers is offering two healing workshops for African Nova Scotian/Black students on campus to promote health, wellness, community and centering the Black experience. Hosted by two African Nova Scotian Registered Social Workers, Africentric principles and the concept of “UBUNTU” will be applied. Made possible by a grant provided by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Walk-ins are welcome (space permitting)!
counselling@smu.ca
The Counselling Centre atSaint Mary's UniversityO’Donnell Hennessey Student CentreFourth Floor, Room 406923 Robie StreetHalifax, Nova ScotiaB3H 3C3Phone: 902-420-5615