Combating the mental health crisis on Canadian campuses

Summary

The video addresses the growing mental health crisis among post-secondary students in Canada, highlighting personal stories of students like Greg Owens and Ian Farewell who struggle with depression and anxiety. It examines the challenges in accessing timely mental health care on campuses, such as long wait times and limited resources. While some universities offer inadequate support, others, like Memorial University, have implemented more effective systems. The video emphasizes the need for better mental health services and the importance of peer support groups in helping students cope with their mental health struggles.

Takeaways

• 📈 The demand for mental health services among students has been increasing significantly over the past two decades.
• 🌐 One out of every five post-secondary students in Canada experiences mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
• 🏫 Universities often struggle to provide timely mental health support, with students sometimes waiting months to see a counselor.
• 👨‍🎓 Greg Owens, a student at the University of Toronto, faced severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which impacted his academic performance.
• 🚑 In a crisis, Greg found that university counseling centers had limitations, often directing students to hospitals for immediate help.
• 🎓 After dropping out to focus on his mental health, Greg later enrolled in a mental health policy program at Carleton University.
• 🤝 At Carleton, Greg received unexpected support from the Student Alliance for Mental Health (SAMH), a group of students helping each other.
• 🏛️ Some universities, like Memorial University in Newfoundland, have adopted a more proactive approach to mental health care, offering immediate assistance.
• 🌟 Ian, a student at Memorial University, benefited from the immediate support model, which helped him overcome depression and anxiety.
• 🔍 The script highlights the need for universities to reevaluate and improve their mental health services to better support students.

Q & A

What is the current mental health crisis among Canadian post-secondary students?

One out of every five post-secondary students across Canada has some kind of mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, according to a recent national survey of colleges and universities.

Why did Greg Owens drop out of the University of Toronto?

Greg Owens dropped out of the University of Toronto due to worsening mental health, which included obsessive compulsive disorder and intrusive thoughts, and the inability to receive immediate help during a crisis from the university's Counseling Center.

What was Greg's experience like when he sought emergency help at the university?

Greg's experience seeking emergency help was unsatisfactory as he was told there was a limit to the help he could get at school and was advised to go to a hospital for emergency-based services.

How did Greg Owens become involved in fixing the mental health system?

After dropping out and focusing on his mental health, Greg discovered his passion for fixing the system that had let him down by enrolling in a mental health policy program at Carleton University.

What role does the Student Alliance for Mental Health (SAMH) play at Carleton University?

The Student Alliance for Mental Health (SAMH) at Carleton University provides daily support to students with mental health issues, often acting as the primary source of help when professional wait times are long.

Why is the wait time to see a counselor at many universities considered unacceptable?

Wait times to see a counselor are considered unacceptable because they can be detrimental to student well-being, leading to increased distress and potentially exacerbating mental health issues.

What is the approach of Memorial University towards mental health services?

Memorial University offers a walk-in model for mental health services where students can receive immediate attention and solutions, avoiding long wait times and focusing on quick assessments and follow-ups.

How has Ian's experience with mental healthcare at Memorial University been beneficial?

Ian's experience with mental healthcare at Memorial University has been beneficial because of the immediate access to help and the continuous support that allowed him to overcome his depression and anxiety.

What ethical responsibility does Peter Cornish believe professionals have towards students waiting for mental health services?

Peter Cornish believes professionals have an ethical responsibility to all students, including those who are waiting for services, and that making people wait for care is not only wrong but also unethical.

How has the demand for mental health services on campuses changed over the past few decades?

The demand for mental health services on campuses has been constantly increasing, not necessarily because of a higher prevalence of mental health issues, but due to increased awareness and students' willingness to seek help.

What is the significance of the social experience in Ian's mental health recovery process?

The social experience, such as brewing beer with friends, has been significant in Ian's recovery process as it provides a means to get out of isolation, engage with others, and find joy in activities that put his problems in perspective.