Data for Carleton’s multiple online counselling services remains unknown, The Charlatan reports for December’s print issue—all about mental health and wellness.
It’s been a year since online counselling was implemented at Carleton. Despite the hype around the new service, the number of students using online counselling services remains unknown to Carleton stakeholders.
Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) president Lily Akagbosu said data regarding how many students use EmpowerMe, a Carleton-endorsed website where students can complete guided mental health modules, will not be available until Dec. 12 when she, among other university stakeholders, will meet with an EmpowerMe representative.
Akagbosu said knowing numbers behind online services is essential.
“That information will allow important feedback to determine the next steps about possible expansion or need for promotion.” —Lily Akagbosu, CUSA president
Despite uncertainty over how many students use online counselling, services like Therapy Assisted Online (TAO), EmpowerMe, and Good2Talk offer students remote access to a broad spectrum of services, designed specifically with post-secondary life in mind.
Good2Talk receives around 2,500 calls per month from post-secondary students all around Ontario.
As a collaborative enterprise between Kids Help Phone, ConnexOntario, 211 Ontario, and the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health, this provincially-funded organization offers post-secondary students living in Ontario a collective approach to mental health care.
“We’re not an island, we’re not a mental health institution,” said Michelle Baulch, a student advising manager at Carleton. “There is an increasing need to look to the community and build those relationships with them.”
Carleton supports this approach on a smaller level through EmpowerMe, which partners with the Ottawa-Carleton community to provide a full suite of mental health services, available to students online or over the phone.
“Students are technologically savvy,” said Dr. Kim Hellemans, chair of Carleton’s neuroscience department, whose research specializes in mental health and drug addiction.
“They’re on their phones, they’re on their laptops. They know how to work these kinds of modalities, so why don’t we meet them where they’re at?”
“Personally, I find it easier to express myself online,” said Maddy Emond, a first-year Carleton student who hasn’t used any e-counselling services, but said she supports the idea of providing mental health care through technological channels.
Beyond providing convenience, online counselling services are also seeking to minimize stigma, by providing more private access for mental health care.
“Think about stigmatization . . . Not wanting to be physically present in a psychologist’s waiting room—that can be huge for some people.” —Dr. Kim Hellemans, Carleton neuroscience department chair
“If you’re really introverted, or shy, or struggle socially then it might be a good first step to talking to someone,” said Michaela Scanlon, a fourth-year psychology student and president of the Student Psychology Society.
One way of spreading mental health information is through the Student Mental Health Engagement Committee, a three-year-old collaboration between Carleton and its students with the mandate of two-way communication.
Although the committee originally focused on collaborating with student leaders, it’s now broadened its focus to communicate directly with more students. The committee now has 45 student members who seek to engage more directly with the student population.
“That is the challenge,” Baulch said. “How do we get this information out to students?”
CUSA is also trying to spread the word about online counselling through a week of online campaigning to promote EmpowerMe to Carleton students.
“The message that I’d love to get out to students is that we’re doing a lot,” said Baulch.
“It’s not like we’re sitting in some office upstairs creating all these things. We genuinely want to work with students on this.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, contact:
- Mental Health Crisis Line: 613-722-6914 (within Ottawa) and 1-866-996-0991 (outside Ottawa)
- Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region 24-hour line: 613-238-3311
- Youth Services Bureau 24/7 Crisis Line: 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (toll free for eastern Ontario).
- EmpowerMe 24/7 helpline: 1-844-741-6389 (anywhere in North America)
- Good2Talk helpline: 1-866-925-5454 (anywhere in Ontario 24/7)
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT-686868 (available anywhere in Canada 24/7)
Students who require counselling support can go in person between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, to Health and Counselling Services at the CTTC Building, Suite 2600. Students may also call 613-520-6674 or walk in to schedule an appointment.
Carleton employees can access the after-hours Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 1-800-668-9920, or during regular business hours at 613-725-5676.
Featured image from file.
