Designing Healthy Campus Communities: Enhancing Student Wellbeing and Academic Success

Posted on September 18th, 2014

August 15, 2013 | Stephen Smith, President Andrew Petter, Dr. Mark Dooris, Rosie Dhaliwal and Alisa Stanton.

In preparation for a new academic year and on the heels of the release of the National College Health Assessment data, Healthy Minds/Healthy Campuses invited campus stakeholders to participate in a webinar organized to stimulate dialogue and support strategic and sustainable action. The webinar featured international expertise, local leadership and the official launch of the animated video. 

Watch the Webinar

 

 

Summary

The mental health and well-being of post-secondary students continues to gain attention and there is growing recognition of personal, academic and community impacts. However, complex factors including the environments where students live, learn, work and play strongly influence mental health and wellbeing which means there is no simple solution. To address these inter-related factors, momentum continues to build around a ‘whole campus’ approach that looks beyond individual students (for example, see content from Summit 2012 - Revolutionizing Campus Wellness: A Vision for Healthy Campus Communities). Everyone has a role to play! There are opportunities to be innovative and strategic in designing healthy campus communities where all students can learn and thrive.

In preparation for a new academic year and on the heels of the release of the National College Health Assessment data, Healthy Minds/Healthy Campuses invited campus stakeholders to participate in a webinar organized to stimulate dialogue and support strategic and sustainable action. The webinar featured international expertise, local leadership and the official launch of the animated video.

The webinar was streamed live from the host site at Simon Fraser University to over 300 participants across BC and Canada – ranging from student service professionals to senior administrators, faculty, students, community organizations and government representatives. 

Presenters

*To read a transcribed version of the speakers' presentations, simply click on the link highlighted for each presenter.

Stephen Smith, Director of Mental Health Promotion and Mental Illness Prevention, British Columbia Ministry of Health

webinar pic stephen smith

Stephen commented on the provincial-level context of the healthy campus communities approach and its alignment with BC’s 10 Year Mental Health and Substance Use Plan.

Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor, Simon Fraser University

andrew petter

 President Petter described their rationale for adopting this approach and how it complements the academic plan, strategic vision and mission of the post-secondary institution.

Mark Dooris, an International Expert on Healthy Campuses and Director of the Healthy Settings Unit, University of Central Lancashire, UK

Mark Dooris

Mark shared insights and expertise from his experience applying the World Health Organization’s healthy settings approach in the post-secondary context. Learn more about Healthy Universities UK and their online resources.

Rosie Dhaliwal and Alisa Stanton, Health Promotion Specialists, Health Promotion Team, SFU Health and Counselling Services

sfu at webinar

Rosie and Alisa provided concrete examples from SFU and their efforts to apply a healthy campus community approach. Learn more about their initiative

Additional Topics of Interest Following the Webinar

Question and Answer (Q & A)

Q and A webinar

Jonny Morris facilitated a discussion period where audience members both in-person and virtually could ask questions to any of the speakers.

Read additional insights from SFU and Mark Dooris

Topics Covered Include:

  • Getting Started
  • Building Relationships and Faculty Buy-In
  • Student and Employee Well-being – Bridging the Gap towards a Unified Approach
  • Incorporating Sustainability, Happiness and Wellbeing
  • The Impact of Physical Spaces on Mental Health
  • Online Learning Environments
  • Conducting Assessments and Advocating for Policy Changes
  • Maintaining Momentum and the Champions for a Healthy Campus Community Project
  • Establishment of the First Healthy University Coordinator Position in the United Kingdom
  • Student Involvement
  • Identifying and Engaging "Champions"
  • Environmental Sustainability and Health Agenda Examples
  • Integrating a Cultural and Diversity Focus
  • Fostering Student Passion

Join our mailing list to get the latest Healthy Minds | Healthy Campuses information.