BIPOC Resources
Meet the BIPOC Counsellors
Yiching Chua , MSW, RSW
Counsellor
Yiching (pronounced “E Ching”) recently joined the Niagara College team in May 2023. Yiching joins the Health, Wellness, and Accessibility department as a Counsellor following 9 years working within the public school system as a School Social Worker. Most recently, she worked in a specialized role as the Community and Inclusion School Social Worker supporting and advocating for racialized students and families. During her time within this role, Yiching advocated for the use of multi-lingual interpreters and cultural knowledge brokers, creating a safe and inclusive space for racialized students and school staff members, along working with individual students and parents for individual/group/parent counselling, as well as case management. Before this role, Yiching worked within Children and Youth Mental Health as well as Community Health agencies.
She received her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and has numerous clinical training hours and certificates in Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioural Therapies, Emotion Focused Coaching and Mindfulness.
Through lived experience as a racialized woman, Yiching recognizes the importance of culture, beliefs and values, and familial expectations and obligations as it supports individual wellbeing. Yiching provides service to all racialized and non-racialized Niagara College students in English and has a comprehension in conversational Mandarin.
- Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus
- Languages Spoken: English and conversational Mandarin
- Email: [email protected]
Born and raised in Northeastern Ontario, Jamie (she/her) is a Mushkego Cree wife, mother, and mental health practitioner, as well as a member of Moose Cree First Nation. She is a Registered Psychotherapist and has worked at Niagara College as an Indigenous Counsellor since 2014. As a person who is of both Indigenous and European ancestry, Jamie has a deep understanding of what it’s like to navigate intersectional identities. Her work as a counsellor and passion for creating culturally safe spaces embodies this.
- Campus: Both campuses, Indigenous students only
- Languages Spoken: English and conversational Cree
- Email: [email protected]
Jamie Consoli, M.Ed., RP
Indigenous Counsellor
Make an Appointment
Students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and a Person of Colour (BIPOC) can request to meet with a BIPOC Counsellor. Counselling is a free and confidential service that is available year round to currently enrolled students. Make an appointment through our Contact page to access the BIPOC Counsellor.
Make an AppointmentBIPOC Mental Health Resources
BIPOC Counselling Resources
GuardMe Student Support Program
Transitioning to college life can be a wonderful and exciting life experience, but it can also be a time of tremendous stress and isolation as you learn to navigate new experiences and learn to balance academics with life on campus. The GuardMe Student Support Program is a service available to all students that can be contacted anytime – day or night – to speak with a Student Support Advisors who can provide support and advice.
Advisors can help you anytime, anywhere with:
- Being successful at school
- Relationships with friends and family
- Stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness and more
Advisors:
- Keep your information confidential
- Can be reached through mobile and web chat, phone and video
- Are available 24/7 for immediate or scheduled sessions, at no cost
Supports for all Students
- Adapting to new cultures
- Counsellors that speak your language, understand your culture and are experienced in supporting the unique challenges international students face
Access GuardMe Student Support
- Downloading the free Student Support App is quick and easy! Download the Telus Health Student Support app on either the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Once you have downloaded the app, complete your profile so you can browse health and wellness resources on the go, start a live chat or call with a counsellor – anytime, anywhere!
- Call 1-844-451-9700 (or +1-416-380-6578 from outside North America)
- Browse resources on the gmssp.org website.
Asian Mental Health Resources
Hong Fook provides a continuum of services ranging from treatment of illness to promotion of wellness in the Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Korean, and Vietnamese communities.
Website: www.hongfook.ca/association
The KCWA Family Counseling Team provides services to Korean Canadian families. Please call or email for counselling services.
Website: https://www.kcwa.net/family-family_counselling_kr/
Phone: 416-340-1234
Email: [email protected]
Love Toronto Korean-Canadian Community Services is a network hub for Korean-Canadians in Toronto. Programs offered are medical consultation for non OHIP clients and psychotherapy referral program with a Korean therapist. Visit the website for more details.
Website: https://www.lovetoronto.org
Naseeha is a Mental Health Helpline for Muslim and non-Muslims. With the confidential helpline, Muslim youth receives immediate, anonymous, and confidential support over the phone from 12 PM – 3 AM, 7 days a week.
Website: https://naseeha.org/
Helpline: 1-866-627-3342
This mental health chat line is available to any individuals residing in the Niagara region regardless of status. They provide mental health support in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Mandarin.
This Sikh Family Helpline is a peer-to-peer non-emergency helpline servicing the Sikh Community in Canada in Punjabi and English. They do not provide live counselling services as the helpline is currently only staffed by volunteers – however, we can direct you to the appropriate services providers in your area if necessary.
Website: http://www.sikhfamilyhelpline.com/
Phone: 1-800-551-9128
SOCH Mental Health aims to empower South Asian community members to recognize and accept mental health as an essential part of their wellness through education, prevention, and building resilience. Visit the website for more details.
Website: https://www.sochmentalhealth.com/
Laadliyan is a non-profit organization that inspires South Asian girls and women of all ages to become empowered individuals though engagement, education, and awareness.
Website: https://www.laadliyan.com/
Black Mental Health Resources
The BYH approach brings innovative, professional, culturally relevant perspectives to understanding and addressing the root causes of challenges faced by Black children, youth, and families. Please call to get more information or visit the website for more information.
Website: https://blackyouth.ca/services/
Phone: Call 416-285-9944 or Toll Free 1-833-294-8650 (Everyday 9 am – 10 pm)
Email: [email protected]
CAFCAN provides culturally appropriate social services that enrich the lives of the African, Caribbean and Diaspora (ACD) communities in the Greater Toronto Area.
Website: https://cafcan.org/
Phone: 416-740-1056
Future Black Female (FBF) works to empower Black girls and women between the ages of 16 and 22 to take charge of their education and career paths as well as their social, political, and civic engagement. They offer pro Black mental health services, financial wellbeing, and career and education strategies in supporting Black girls and women in the Niagara area and across Canada. Visit the website for more details.
Website: https://www.futureblackfemale.com/
Indigenous Mental Health Resources
Website: https://www.niagaracollege.ca/hwas/resources/indigenous/
Latinx Mental Health Resources
This mental health chat line is available to any individuals residing in the Niagara region regardless of status. They provide mental health support in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Mandarin.
The Hispanic Development Council exists to promote the interests of the Spanish speaking communities in Canada regarding its access to services by all members of the community. Please visit the website for more details.
Website: http://www.hispanic-council.ca/supportive-counselling.html
The Center for Spanish-Speaking People (CGHH) offer services for the following areas: Settlement, Legal Clinic, Youth Program (from 15-29), Violence Against Women, Sexual Health, and Seniors. Please visit the website for more information.
Website: https://spanishservices.org/
Phone: 416-533-8545
Email: [email protected]
BIPOC Private Counselling (Fee for Service) and Educational Resources
The organization helps raise awareness about mental health care, contains a list of Asian therapists both in the U.S. and in Canada and an organization directory.
Website: https://www.asianmhc.org/
Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC) is a volunteer, non-profit, community base organization that was founded in 2019 to help meet the mental health needs of the diverse Black communities in Canada.
Website: https://blackmentalhealth.ca/
Healing in Colour envisions a world where BIPOC, in all our intersections, has access to therapy that su-pports healing and liberation. They have a directory of BIPOC therapists who are committed to supporting BIPOC— in all our intersections.
Website: https://www.healingincolour.com/
A resource guide for mental health and race created by Helping Hands Youth Artist. Some of the resources are national and regional (Toronto Area).
Website: https://www.helpinghandsapp.com/Mental-Health-and-Anti-Racism-Resource-Guide.pdf
Physical Health Resources
Food Banks and Community Fridges
Did you forget to have breakfast this morning? Are you too busy to eat in the mornings? Do you not get paid until Friday so you’re eating only a nutri-grain bar for breakfast?
We’ll, we have something new for you!
Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) is launching a free breakfast program called Rise & Shine.
Join us every Tuesday and Thursday from 8am-9am at The Core or The Armoury for a free, delicious, healthy and continental style menu breakfast!
St. Catharines Supports
Welland Supports
Niagara Falls Supports
Health and Medical Services
We are your single location for support with physical and mental health, personal support and assistance with disability related needs.
There are three categories of services within the Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS), each with their own dedicated team members. Health Services feature support from our Nurses and Doctors, Wellness Services pertain to support from our Counsellors, and Accessibility Services has a team of Accessibility Consultants, Learning Strategist and Assistive Technologist; all here to help support students during their NC journey.
Housing and Settlement Support
We re here to support you with your housing questions and needs.
Housing Advisor: [email protected]
Welland Campus:
905-735-2211 ext. 7763
Daniel J. Patterson Campus
905-641-2252 ext. 4190
Housing Supports
Settlement Supports
Please note that these Settlement Agencies have limited support for individuals if they are in Canada under a study/work permit. If you are an international student requiring settlement services, please reach out to the International Department at Niagara College for more information.
Financial Resources
Niagara College offers over $1.5 million in scholarships and bursaries to domestic students during the academic year, through the various programs.
NC Financial Aid – Domestic
Over $4 million in scholarships and bursaries available to qualified students. Be sure to contact Niagara College’s International Division to learn more and see if you qualify.
NC Financial Aid – International
There are lots of opportunities for Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour (BIPOC) students to win scholarships! Learn more on the GrantMe program!
Grant Me Opportunities
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities.
IndspireAssault and Intimate Partner Violence
Follow us on Instagram @consentiskeync
Unlock your voice! Supporting Niagara College students who have been affected by sexual and gender-based violence.
Design for a New Tomorrow
Design for a new Tomorrow is an organization that provides counselling services for women experiencing domestic violence, and intimate partner abuse.
Website: https://design4newtomorrow.ca/
Gillian’s Place
Gillian’s Place offers a safe refuge and support programs in an effort to end domestic violence. The shelter is in St. Catharines.
Website: https://gilliansplace.com/
Niagara Sexual Assault Centre
Niagara Sexual Assault Centre is a non-profit organization that responds to the needs of survivors of sexual violence through counselling, support and emergency services to survivors and their families.
Website: https://www.niagarasexualassaultcentre.com/
Crisis Phone Line: 905-682-4584
Nisa Helpline
Nisa Helpline (is a Canadian registered charity) offers anonymous and confidential telephone line available to Muslim women across North America, seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm EST.
Website: https://nisahelpline.com/
Phone Line: 1-888-315-6472