How UBC expanded student health and wellbeing to meet growing demand

Students consistently list health and wellbeing among their highest priorities. Demand for care has grown since 2022, with UBC seeing a 40-per-cent increase in counselling appointments and an 11-per-cent increase in student health appointments. Right across Canada, students are dealing with everything from exam stress to financial worries, global events, and the pressures of an always-connected digital environment.

At UBC, student health and wellbeing is a priority overseen by numerous leaders. We spoke with Noorjean Hassam (she/her), associate vice-president, Student Health and Wellbeing, and Dr. Teri Fisher (he/him), medical director of UBC Student Health and Wellbeing Clinical Services, about the university’s proactive and holistic approach to meeting students’ changing health and wellbeing needs.

UBC has invested heavily in student health services, including the new MacIsaac Health Building. Why is providing comprehensive health care a priority?

NH: We recognize that students’ physical, mental and emotional health are interconnected, and that a student’s health can have a direct impact on their ability to learn, participate in university life and ultimately succeed academically. For many students, university is also the first time they are navigating the health-care system independently, often while living away from home and without an established primary-care provider nearby. Having accessible health care on campus can make a meaningful difference.

That’s why, over the past five years, UBC has invested $10 million to build out primary medical care and counselling options for students and to integrate the Student Health and Wellbeing care model. The new MacIsaac Health building on our Vancouver campus is a crucial part of that model. By bringing clinical services — medical care and counselling — together under one roof, we make it easier for students to access care and help connect them with the right support, without expecting them to find multiple offices across campus on their own.

For example, if a student comes in for a physical health concern, and mental health issues are identified, the student can book an appointment with a counsellor at the same welcome desk, and will likely come back to the same familiar space for their counselling appointment. This saves time, it’s easier and less stressful all around. 

What are the most common reasons students visit UBC Student Health Services?

TF: Mental health and sexual health concerns are the most common reasons students book appointments at Student Health and Wellbeing. However, we routinely help students with a wide variety of concerns, similar to those seen by family doctors in the community.

Undergraduate and graduate, domestic and international students booked more than 57,000 appointments across Student Health and Wellbeing services in the 2024-25 academic year. That volume reflects the significant role these services play in supporting students, and reinforces the importance of making care timely, accessible and easy to navigate.

We also offer a range of mental health services to support students at every stage of their UBC journey. In addition to individual and group counselling, students can access peer support, psychoeducational workshops, and self-directed resources, with services available both in person and virtually.

Students can also connect with counselling appointments, wellness advising and specialized support through embedded counsellors in residences and faculties, as well as the Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing program.

What health services might students be surprised to find on campus?

NH: I think students are surprised by just how comprehensive the medical care available on campus is. Our family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other health-care professionals provide many of the same services students would find at a community primary-care clinic.

That includes assessment and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries, ongoing management of chronic health conditions, preventive care and a range of office-based procedures. Our physicians and nurse practitioners can also serve as a student’s primary-care provider while they are studying at UBC.

What advice do you have for students managing their health away from home for the first time?

TF: Learn what health-care options are available before you need them. If you have an ongoing medical condition or already have a family doctor or specialist at home, plan how your care and refilling medication will continue while you are away.

Seek help early and don’t worry about identifying the perfect service yourself. Part of our job is to help students navigate the system and connect them with the right care.

Establish a few manageable routines around sleep, nutrition, movement and social connection. Living away from home for the first time can be isolating, and social connection is an important part of both physical and mental health. Taking part in Imagine Day, participating in student clubs, signing up for recreation activities or simply going to class and talking to your seatmate can have a strong impact on your mental health and feelings of belonging.

Remember that looking after your health does not mean doing everything perfectly. University life can be busy and unpredictable. Consistent, manageable habits tend to matter more than trying to optimize everything at once.

What other UBC resources support students’ health?

NH: The recent opening of Recreation Centre North tripled the indoor fitness and recreation space at UBC Vancouver. Students on the Vancouver campus can also access resources such as the Aquatic Centre, tennis and ice facilities, fitness classes and inclusive recreation programs. UBC is also surrounded by beautiful nature — walking in the forest or at the beach is a great way to reduce stress.

Work is also underway at UBC Okanagan to develop a new three-court recreation facility — in partnership with the City of Kelowna and the Students’ Union Okanagan of UBC — that will significantly expand indoor recreation capacity.

One thing I hope students know is that being physically active does not have to mean going to the gym or following a structured exercise program. The best form of movement is often the one that fits realistically into your life and that you enjoy. Walking or cycling, stretching between study sessions or trying a group activity with a friend — they all count.

Food and nutrition play an important role in our physical health and wellbeing. We encourage students to explore our range of food and nutrition resources, which help them access affordable food, find nutrition support and navigate food-related challenges during their time at UBC. If you’re a student living in residence, you can also connect with the residence dietitian to learn more about eating well at UBC. Knowing the factors that influence food choices is key to building a healthy and meaningful relationship with food.