Confederation College Launches a Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy
From left, Student Union President Chris Cartwright, student Collin Clowes, Coordinator/Counsellor Jim Lees and Confederation President Jim Madder Launch the Confederation College Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy.
THUNDER BAY, ON, – After two years of extensive consultation and a lot of hard work from the entire College community, Confederation College proudly launched its Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy today; the first of its kind among Ontario colleges.
The Strategy responds to, among other things, the statistic that one in four students will experience a mental health or addiction issue during their post-secondary education.1 It also addresses the 49.8 percent of Confederation College students surveyed who indicated that within the last 12 months, their academics was traumatic or very difficult to handle and the 36 per cent who indicated they have felt so depressed it was difficult to function.2 The document formalizes a plan to continue supporting students in an effort to create a campus community that is deeply conducive to transformative learning and that enhances student mental health and well-being. Integral to its creation was the Confederation College Mental Health Working Group.
“This strategy outlines a systemic approach to promoting mental health and well-being for all of our students,” said Jim Madder, President of Confederation College. “It will better enable all members of the College community to realize the real potential for mental health and well-being in an environment conducive to learning, working, living and connecting with others.”
Chris Cartwright, President of the Student Union (SUCCI) added “The Student Union has participated throughout the development of this strategy and fully endorses the priorities outlined in the document. Each represents a critical way we, as a college, can support our students both in and beyond the classroom.”
Someone who knows first-hand how important supports outlined in the strategy are, is Collin Clowes, a student in the Interactive Media Development program at Confederation. “I have struggled with depression for a very long time and since late in grade 12 have also had some very serious health challenges to manage. Having the support of the counselling department has been very important to me as it has helped me to create a better balance between my life and studies and taught me how to cope when things get extra tough. This new strategy will make sure students like me continue to get the support they need no matter what they are dealing with. I know Confederation College has made me feel like I have people in my corner who want to help me succeed, and all students can benefit from that.”
Guided by principles including respect, collaboration, evidence-based, realistic, innovation, universality and capacity-building, the Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy outlines eight key priorities across four strategic areas. The development of the strategy was also guided by the Framework for Post-Secondary Student Mental Health published by the Canadian Association of College and University Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The four strategic areas and eight priorities (not listed in order of importance) are as follows:
- Policy
- Priority 1: Policy which recognizes and supports mental health
- Environment
- Priority 2: An inclusive, caring community
- Priority 3: Promotion and support for healthy lifestyles
- Priority 4: A physical environment conducive to positive physical and mental health
- Mental Health Awareness and Literacy
- Priority 5: Increase awareness about mental health, mental health promotion and suicide prevention
- Priority 6: Reduce stigma and discrimination
- Direct Services
- Priority 7: Early intervention for students at-risk or in distress
- Priority 8: Increase strategic collaboration internally and externally
The strategy has already started to be rolled out internally and will be officially introduced to the students when they return in the fall.
1 Dr. Bruce Ferguson, Director of Community Health Systems Resource Group, Hospital for Sick Children, Plenary Address, MTCU Mental Health and Addictions Summit, October 29, 2010, Toronto, ON
2 American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment II – Confederation College Sample, March, 2014
MORE INFO:
- Confederation College Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy
