The start of college or university can be a challenging time for students. They may be living away from home for the first time, far from their friends and family. They are adjusting to a new environment, and learning to balance classes with part-time jobs, new friendships and relationships.

Many university and college students will look for mental healthcare, on or off-campus.

With thousands of young people set to return to university and college campuses across Canada, mental health advocates, care providers, post-secondary students and staff weighed in on what makes a strong campus mental health system:

1. Embedded counsellors within each faculty or department
2. Centralized mental health services
3. Proactive student outreach
4. Peer Support
5. Training for professors, TAs and residence staff
6. Strong transitions from on-campus to off-campus services