Mental health is a hot topic in Canadian society today, but victims remain stigmatized. Initiatives led by Carleton students and staff are promoting mental well-being and helping to provide resources and a discussion forum.
Student Mental Health Engagement Committee
The Student Mental Health Engagement Committee (SMHEC) was created in October 2017, with roughly 20 members on the committee, including student leaders from various groups, and students-at-large, said Shannon Noonan, animal-assisted student retention co-ordinator. Noonan works with the committee.
She said the committee aims to encourage student engagement and discussion on mental health and well-being, as well as being a space for students and other groups to come together. Noonan added that SMHEC hopes to create an environment where everyone is welcome and can become involved.
The committee also provides feedback on the updated Student Mental Health Framework.
“The Student Mental Health Framework 2.0 was designed as a living document and to provide a proactive, coordinated, and holistic approach to student mental health on campus,” Noonan said.
Committee members turn to the Student Mental Health Framework 2.0 for decision making, and several initiatives have been successfully implemented. These include: pop-up wellness centres around campus, the new “Supporting a Friend in Distress” document, aiming to help people successfully approach a friend in need and recognizing when one is in distress, the Student Wellness Initiative Fund, giving the opportunity to students to bring initiatives to campus that align with the Student Mental Health Framework, and a guide for faculty to help students dealing with stress.
Social media movements
Daniel Patterson, a fourth-year sociology student, has launched a social media movement to help people connect with others and see that they aren’t alone.
He said he was inspired by his own mental health struggles and how many people attempt to hide mental health issues due to stigma, but still have a desire to fit in, feel loved and be part of a community.
By creating #IAmReal, he is encouraging people to share their vulnerability by posting a photo or video on social media using the hashtag.
Patterson has also started community discussion sessions to bring people together to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. One was successfully held at Operation Come Home in January, and Patterson said he hopes to hold one at Carleton in March, potentially having a therapy dog there as well.
“It is great to see that the Carleton administration is genuinely invested in students mental health. It is creating more discussion, which is in line with what I’m trying to do,” Patterson said about mental health initiatives at Carleton.
But he said there’s still room for the university to grow. One thing Patterson said could be encouraged is mental health discussions in first year classes, and professors making an effort to get students to interact with one another, even if only by writing a short bio on cuLearn.
Going forward
Alexandra Noguera, the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) vice-president (student issues), said the next steps in mental health initiatives on campus would be to get more counsellors.
She said CUSA and students are doing their best to cope with a lack of mental healthcare to meet demands, such as by implementing a peer support program with the Health and Wellness Centre as a temporary solution. Additionally, she said there is therapy assistance online to deal with problems ranging from relationships to stress and substance abuse, and plans for weekly programming with the service centre that include mindfulness activities.
Noguera said she is very happy with the updated Student Mental Health Framework, stating that there is more student involvement.
“Without students, progress would not be possible, even with writing of the framework,” she said.
Noguera said that more conversations surrounding mental health have been happening around campus. However, she said the stigma is still evident.
She said one of CUSA’s goal is to improve the peer support program.
“The university has been more in favour to collaborate. With more people involved, it lets Carleton know how important it is to continue this work and pushes them to co-operate and work together,” Noguera said.
Photo by Meagan Casalino
