Every major Ontario university now operates counselling and health programs. Brock University provides same-day “Open Door” sessions and a 24-hour crisis line. McMaster University offers single-session counselling by phone. Western University runs an urgent-care clinic that extends hours to 7 p.m. on some weekdays. Queen’s University lists 24-hour crisis resources through its “Get Help Now” system.
Yet, a 2024 report by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) found that 65 per cent of students identified wait times as a barrier to accessing mental health services, while 63 per cent said that they were unsure how to access them at all. Only about 40 per cent of Ontario post-secondary institutions offering counselling could provide a first appointment within 72 hours. The report outlines that despite rapid growth in wellness programming since the pandemic, many students still struggle to receive timely support.
Research findings indicate that accessibility offices are strained also. A 2023 HEQCO study warned that Ontario’s post-secondary accessibility system was unsustainable, citing a sharp rise in caseloads. Some institutions now report student-to-staff ratios exceeding 400 to 1, reducing response times and stretching resources for students who require academic accommodations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Experts point to overlapping factors that make campus support difficult to access. The foremost is demand: the number of students seeking counselling and wellness services has surged far beyond staffing levels. HEQCO’s 2024 report confirms that institutions are struggling to meet the growing demand for mental-health support.
Operating hours also play a role. Most clinics still follow weekday schedules, remaining open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Even same-day or urgent appointments, such as those at Brock and McMaster, are restricted to these hours, while extended evening operations like Western’s remain uncommon.
Additionally, HEQCO found that students often do not know which office to approach for help as universities maintain multiple offices for wellness, accessibility and academics, each with separate booking systems and websites.
Many programs also rely on short-term funding. The HEQCO 2023 report says that the model of temporary grants and student-fee surpluses make it difficult to retain staff or plan long term.
A HEQCO report exploring practices and identifying gaps in student mental health found that structural inequities compound struggles to receive support. International students, racialized students and students with disabilities often need specialized or identity-based supports, which exist inconsistently across campuses. The University of Waterloo offers identity-based counsellors, but such options are not standard province-wide. As the HEQCO report outlined earlier, accessibility offices, facing caseloads of several hundred students per advisor, remain stretched thin.
Crisis-response systems are also affected by the gaps outlined by HEQCO. Good2Talk, Ontario’s 24-hour helpline for post-secondary students, provides crucial immediate support but focuses on stabilization, not ongoing therapy. Students who use it may still face long waits for follow-up counselling once they re-enter the university system.
Regarding broader economic pressures, the OUSA reports that widespread food insecurity and rising housing costs means many students must work while studying, making it nearly impossible to access daytime services.
Brock University’s model of same-day counselling, grocery gift cards and a 24-hour helpline, resembles the supports provided by other Ontario universities. According to HEQCO, universities are increasingly aligned in recognizing student well-being as a priority, but they remain limited by capacity, funding and scheduling constraints. Ultimately, the studies and reports outline that Ontario’s post-secondary institutions are increasingly aware of student well-being but continue to struggle with sustainable and accessible delivery models.
Despite the availability of services for students, the studies illustrate how many university students continue to face barriers that limit their ability to reach and use these supports.