Post-Secondary Student Mental Health:
Guide to a Systemic Approach

National Organizations Focus on Campus Mental Health:

Release of a national resource to support campuses in their response

June 18, 2013

Montreal, Quebec—The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the Canadian Association of Colleges and University Student Services (CACUSS) are launching a unique document designed to support campuses in their responses to student mental health. The resource, Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a systemic approach, is a first-of-its-kind resource that helps colleges and universities to plan comprehensive action to improve student mental health. It will be launched during the annual CACUSS conference, taking place June 18-20, 2013 in Montreal.

CACUSS and CMHA BC Division, who took a lead role on behalf of the national association, have collaborated for over three years on this resource. Over 300 people from 70 post-secondary institutions across Canada contributed to the document, speaking to the broad impact and reach of mental health on campus.

“So many of our members have identified mental health as a priority issue at their campus. This guide will help campuses to take comprehensive action to improve overall campus mental health,” says Jennifer Hamilton, Executive Director of CACUSS.

With yesterday’s release of the largest set of data describing Canadian students’ health behaviours by the Canadian Organization of University and College Health (COUCH), this new national resource has particular relevance.

“This data supports the need to focus on mental health on campuses across Canada. Investing today in mental health promotion and prevention initiatives will benefit young people immensely throughout their lives. CMHA is pleased to see the launch of this guide, and we look forward to supporting continued work in this area,” says Peter Coleridge, National CEO, CMHA and Bev Gutray, CEO, CMHA BC in a joint statement.