Cape Breton University recognizes the important relationship between mental and physical health, overall well-being and academic success. As such, CBU is committed to supporting students as they develop the skills necessary to enhance well-being and cope with challenges.
The Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex (CBHRC) is located within Cape Breton University’s campus, this cutting edge complex houses indoor and outdoor turf soccer fields; an eight lane synthetic track with a field event venue; a community health and wellness/fitness facility; community outreach programming rooms; various game courts and practice venues as well as academic/wellness programming and research. Located adjacent to the CBU residences, full-time CBU students have unlimited access to the fitness facility, as a membership is included in their tuition and fees.
CBU is also committed to providing access to Health Services through the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre to students, both on and off campus.
For international students, CBU has partnered with Guard.Me to offer emergency health services and 24/7 mental health services through GuardMe Support Services Program (GMSSP), a support service available to help with challenges faced when studying or living abroad. Guard.Me also offers mobileDOCTOR that allows international students to connect with a doctor on your phone or laptop 24/7. Visit CBU’s International Student Health Services page for more information.
For Canadian students, the CBU Students’ Union has partnered with the Campus Trust to offer a robust Health and Dental plan. All Canadian students enrolled in at least nine credits at CBU by the add/drop date of the current semester and are paying Students’ Union fees are automatically enrolled in the plan. Visit the Canadian Student Health Insurance page for more information.
In the event of emergency, please go to the nearest Emergency Department
In Sydney, the Emergency Department is located at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital
1482, George Street
Sydney, NS B1P 1P3
OR call 911
Mental health and addiction crisis line 1-888-429-8167 available 24/7
For help finding local resources or to talk with a counselor call 211 available 24/7
To speak with a registered nurse call 811 available 24/7
Staying Healthy at CBU focuses on aspects of mental, physical and emotional health and well-being. Check out the resources below!
As you may know, Canada is officially in an influenza (flu) epidemic after crossing its seasonal threshold of cases. This means that the number of flu cases is increasing and is above-expected levels that are typical for this time of year.
Did you know that there are over 200 viruses that can cause cold and flu symptoms? In an effort to protect ourselves, here’s what you should know about the cold and influenza season in Nova Scotia.
The HealthyMindsNS portal provides CBU’s primary online mental health support and resources for Domestic Students.
HealthyMindsNS provides access to our key mental health supports, like Kognito, 7 Cups, and Tao.
CBU also offers personal counselling and other health services through the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre and we encourage all students to take advantage of these resources.
GuardMe Student Support Program (GMSSP) is a 24/7 digital mental health support program for international students. GMSSP provides students with access to a large and diverse network of professional counsellors who are equipped to offer support and guidance. Students are matched to a counsellor based on their situation, language and cultural preferences.
CBU also offers personal counselling and other health services through the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre and we encourage all students to take advantage of these resources.
Kognito provides online training simulations that teach faculty, staff, and students how to recognize psychological distress, engage in a conversation with someone you may be concerned about, and make a referral to the appropriate resources for someone in need.
To learn more, visit the Kognito website.
7 Cups is a free, anonymous and confidential online peer-support chat for people who just need to talk. Students can connect to peers on their campus or peer-supporters from around the world.
Tao Self-Help is an online mental health library with interactive modules to help you understand and manage how you feel, think and act. You choose the modules you believe will help you feel well and live the life you choose.
The Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre is now located in the MacDonald Residence temporarily and all appointments will be held in that location while construction takes place. It will later return to a permanent home in the renovated Canada Games Complex.
The centre offers confidential health services to registered students, staff and faculty. The Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre is a collaborative health care centre with nurses (including a mental health nurse), physicians and counsellors on site working together to meet the needs of our patients.
Collaborative care means working together. When you call the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre, a nurse will do an assessment then assist you with a plan of care and next steps.
To make an inquiry or appointment:
Call 902-563-1359 or email healthservices@cbu.ca
We know taking care of our physical health is important to keep our bodies strong and healthy, but it’s just as important to take care of our mental health. Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being, which means it affects how we think, feel, and act.
Check out the below video to learn about the differences between Mental Health, Mental Distress and Mental Illness.
Kognito training can help you build the confidence to talk with a friend or classmate who may need help. 
