Looking for mental health and spiritual well-being support?
Here at MORSL we understand the stresses and pressures that come with university life, and we encourage you take advantage of our space and resources to enhance your mental and spiritual well-being. This page offers non-clinical faith and mental health resources that are available to you at McGill and throughout Montreal or online. Please note that McGill students have access to clinical mental health resources through the Student Wellness Hub and telehealth services as well as the online keepme.SAFE platform.
* New public service in place since October 7 in light of situation in the Middle East *
keep.meSAFE in partnership with Telus has set-up a community support line *open to the general public*. This 24/7 Community Support Line has been set-up for anyone in the community in need of support during this difficult time in various regions around the world. By calling, individuals will receive professional emotional support and/or referral to community resources. The Community Support Line can be reached at:
• 1-844-751-2133 in Canada
• 1-877-757-7587 in the U.S.
• 1800 512 188 in Australia
• 0800 088 5339 in the UK
• 1800 817 227 in Ireland
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McGill students experiencing high distress can contact the MORSL Director to discuss priority referral to the Wellness Hub. Students can carlene.gardner [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Discuss%20priority%20referral) (email), call or make an appointment to discuss either in person or over Teams via our online booking.-----------------------
New at MORSL
Faith-based group support for managing the spiritual and emotional distress surrounding the situation in the Middle East. Each session opens and closes under the spiritual guidance of a faith leader, with a group discussion facilitated by McGill wellness professionals. Groups are small (7 students) and meet in person at MORSL. A series of 4 sessions is currently being offered to Muslim- and Jewish-identified students respectively. McGill students can join any or all sessions but MUST register as space is limited.
Learn more:
Muslim Students Jewish Students
Student/Peer Mental Health Supports
SSMU Peer Support Centre (PSC)
McGill Students' Nightline – 514-398-6246 (ssmu.ca)
MORSL Peer Faith Volunteers
Faith-based supports
McGill University students are able to access chaplaincy services offered by MORSL and its volunteers including chaplains of various religious backgrounds (Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh, etc.) at McGill. You can reach out to any of the people listed on the webpage to arrange a consultation directly. Students can also reach out to MORSL's student team of Peer Faith Volunteers.
1. Faith-based mental health supports for Muslim students
- MORSL is grateful for the outreach provided by its faith volunteers including Muslim chaplains. You can reach out via chaplain [at] montlumiere.ca (email )or set up an appointment on the website.
- Nisa Helpline supports Muslim women across North America seeking confidential, peer-to-peer counselling on a variety of issues: 1.888.315.NISA (6472)
- Naseeha is a Mental Health Hotline: 1.866.627.3342
- The Productive Muslim organizes events and seminars to help Muslims spiritually, physically, and socially by mastering their focus, time, and energy.
- The Sufi Gardener offers a virtual platform to inspire a deeper understanding of the connections between spiritual growth, mindful living and the art of community facilitation.
- New in 2023, ruh, an Islamic mindfulness and contemplation app developed by Ottawa-based creators, can be downloaded for Apple or Android platforms.
2. Faith-based mental health supports for Jewish students
- MORSL is grateful for the outreach provided by its faith volunteers including Jewish chaplains. You can reach out to any of our volunteers from our website.
- RUACH is a network of Jewish emotional and spiritual volunteer-supporters with emotional and spiritual advising skills, spanning the Jewish denominational spectrum and can provide support for those from any denominational or religious background. They provide inclusive and accessible support to persons from all walks of life, regardless of religion/observance level, age, nationality, gender identity, orientation, or political affiliation. Note that RUACH is non-clinical and does not provide mental health, medical or other therapeutic care.
- Chazkeinu provides chizuk – strength to all Jewish women coping with mental illness via phone meetings.
- Teshuva Healing Circle aims to create a safe supportive space open to anyone looking for a refuge of peace and sanity in these times of uncertainty and who brings a willingness to participate fully. It may appeal particularly to practitioners of the Choose Again Six Step process looking for a specifically Jewish context and forum. Choose Again experience is not required to participate. Groups are limited to 15, meeting via Zoom once a month.
3. Faith-based mental health resources for Christian students (Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries)
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries works to provide resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health in order to prepare communities of faith around the world to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental wellbeing. They provide Christian-inspired mental health courses, a blog, and other mental health resources.
- The Sanctuary Course is a study guide for small groups, designed to raise awareness and start conversations in local churches regarding mental health. The course is offered for free, and you can access it on their resource portal.
- Access their race, mental health, and faith resources here.
- Read the Sanctuary blog for more information related to faith and well-being.
- Can mental health challenges and faith co-exist? Listen to the Sanctuary Mental Health podcast here.
