College rolls out student mental-health and wellness strategy

Collin Clowes realized in Grade 6 he suffered from depression.

He tried to cope with it in high school, his mind drifting into dark, lonely places. By the time he arrived at Confederation College, on top of serious health issues he was facing, he knew he had to find help.

He’s not alone.

According to statistics provided by the college, about one-in-three students admitted in a recent survey they’d suffered bouts of depression in the past 12 months. Nearly half of all students indicated their academics were traumatic or difficult to handle.

Those numbers are staggering, said Confederation College president Jim Madder, an indication the student mental-health and well-being strategy they unveiled on Tuesday, an eight-point plan designed to catch students before they fall through the growing cracks.
“It’s been a huge, huge struggle,” said Clowes, forced to grow up in a hurry when his younger brother was diagnosed with cancer as a child.

While he had difficulties in elementary and high school, he’s found the college a more welcoming environment.

With the new strategy in place, it’ll be even more equipped to help students like himself cope with issues in their lives.

“It makes me really happy because I know a lot of people, just in my classes, who don’t have mental illnesses and they struggle with all the stress of working three jobs and having full-time classes. It’s not bearable,” he said.

“Having a plan where it’s out there for people to know and realize that it’s good, I think more people will be introduced to it.”

Jim Lees, the college’s co-ordinator of councilling, said students struggle for a lot of different reasons. Luckily those born after 1985 seem more willing than those who came before them to self-identity as depressed and seek help.

But it can also be a hindrance, he added.

“They’re expectations of how quickly things should happen is different.”

The troubles are worse in Northern Ontario, where people tend to suffer more from mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety.
“And we also drink more than many parts of our country. We also have higher rates of suicide … These are all really critical parts we have to pay attention to,” Lees said.

First and foremost the strategy, a first-of-its-kind in the Ontario college system, recognizes the need to support mental health issues.

In addition to creating an environment promoting positive mental health and well-being, the plan calls to increase awareness of the issue and reduce the stigma surrounding it, including suicide prevention. It also focuses on early intervention for students at risk or in distress.
Madder said one of the ways they’ll accomplish their goal is by training peer mentors.

Another student is usually the first person someone turns to when in need.

“So you start there. We want to make sure the other students, the peer mentors, are fully aware of all of the supports there and the warning signs. Is someone changing their behaviour, are they’re really, really stressed out, they’re not going to class there? It’s probably an indication they need some help.”

Madder said the program will be stressed during orientation each fall, to ensure incoming and returning students alike are aware of what the school can offer.