Mental Health Care Support for University & College Students

Posted on
South Asian Graduate

Navigating Mental Health Support as a University, College and International Student

The journey through university can be both exciting and challenging. Amid the academic pressures and personal transitions, mental health often takes center stage. It’s crucial for students to be aware of the mental health support available to them. In this blog, we offer options for resources that help students maintain their mental well-being. Don’t hesitate take advantage of these valuable resources. Your mental health matters.

For on Campus Support:

University Counselling Services

Peer Support

Mental Health Workshops and Programs

Online Resources

Student Health Services

For Private Therapy Options and Insurance:

Shanti Psychotherapy – Mental Health Clinic Specializing in South Asian Mental Health.

hello@shantipsychotherapy.ca * 416 605 9025

southasiantherapist.org – Directory of South Asian Therapists by Country

Psychology Today – www.psychologytoday.ca

​University of TorontoHealth and Dental Plan: Mental health practitioners – up to $100/visit and 15visits/policy year
Toronto Metropolitan UniversityExtended health coverage 100% coverage. The services of a psychologist, counsellor/social Worker, Master of SocialWork or psychotherapists are covered to a maximum of $1000 based on reasonable and customary charges per benefit year.
York UniversityYSF Health and Dental Plan – $125 per visit up to 15 visits
Humber College80% covered at 300 dollars a year for a psychologist.
George Brown College80% up to $1,000 for services of a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist (includingRSW and MSW social workers
Seneca CollegePlans cover between $20 to 90 percent of a therapy session up to a maximum of $300 to $400 per year. It only covers the services of a psychologist, and only if you are referred by a doctor. 
OCAD100% per visit – 1000$ yearly
Ontario Tech100% covered for max of $500 yearly
Centennial College$500 Combined Maximum for a clinical psychologist/ speech therapist
Trent UniversityCombined Maximum of $1,000 per benefit year for:Psychologist / Psychotherapist/ SocialWorker (MSW) / Speech Therapist *Maximum of $1000 per benefit year per participant for:Psychological Educational Assessment / Testing *
University of WaterlooLicensed Psychologists/ClinicalCounsellors/Psychotherapist/Masters ofSocial Work – 80% per visit up to $800 annually
Wilfrid Laurier UniversityCoverage for undergraduate studentsCovers $100 per visit for a total of $1000 for services delivered by psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers (MSW).Coverage for graduate studentsCovers $60 per visit for up to $400 for services delivered by psychologists, clinical counsellors, social workers (MSW), or psychotherapists.
Conestoga CollegePsychologist/Social Workers – 70% per visit for an annual maximum of $300
Algonquin CollegeAlgonquin only provides coverage for clinical psychologists, covering 80 percent of the session for up to a total of $250 per year.
Niagara CollegeNiagara provides four different insurance options to students which cover therapy sessions with social workers (RSW or MSW) for up to $400 per year.
Queens UniversityFree access to Empower Me – Psychologists, clinical counsellor or practitioner with a Master’s degree in Social Work: 80% per visit, annual maximum of $1000
Fanshawe CollegeOffers students three different insurance plans. These plans only cover services delivered by a clinical psychologist, covering $20 to $30 per session for a total of $300 to $400 total.
McMaster University80% up to 300 each year: combined services: clinical psychologist, psychotherapist or speech therapist
Algoma University$600 of total coverage for psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers (MSW).
Guelph UniversityCovers 80 percent per session for a total of $750 for services delivered by psychotherapists or counsellors.
University of OttawaCovers 80 percent per session for a total of $1500 for services delivered by counsellors, psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers (RSW or MSW).
Western UniversityCovers 80 percent per session for up to $500 for services delivered by psychologists or psychotherapists.
Carleton UniversityCovers $75 per session with a psychologist, clinical counsellor, or social worker (MSW) for up to $300 for the year.
Brock University$100 of total coverage for psychologists, psychotherapists, clinical counsellors, and social workers (MSW).

If you enjoyed this blog, please consider sharing it.
Follow Shanti Psychotherapy

Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!

A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.

Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.

In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:

• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions

• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries

• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour

• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure

• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent

• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your culture

Estrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.

It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.

📖 Read the full article: link in bio
📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692
🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca

#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss

1 0
Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18115076959999316
Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your cultureEstrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.📖 Read the full article: link in bio 📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692 🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss

1 0

My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.

I`m Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.

I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.

Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.

At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it`s like to live between cultures. You don`t have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.

If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:

• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible Program

Culture isn`t a bonus in therapy. It`s essential.

Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.

#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy

4 0
Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18111231313852175
My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.I'm Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it's like to live between cultures. You don't have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible ProgramCulture isn't a bonus in therapy. It's essential.Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy

4 0

Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.

In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:

“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”

Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.

🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.

#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport education

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079

28 5
Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18336535264275213
Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport educationhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079

28 5

Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?

Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.

Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.

📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/

#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy

2 0
Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 18086477825645946
Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy

2 0

Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿

Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.

📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available
📞 Book a free consultation to learn more

#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth

3 0
Open post by shanti_psychotherapy with ID 17997714071982938
Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available 📞 Book a free consultation to learn more#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth

3 0

© 2026 Shanti Psychotherapy | All Rights Reserved