Principal’s Commission on Mental Health

Lynann Clapham, Roy Jahchan, Jennifer Medves, Ann Tierney and David Walker (Chair)

Purpose

• To make recommendations to the Principal on the establishment of a mental health strategy that will address:

PREVENTION• How Queen’s can promote a healthy, inclusive and supportive environment• How Queen’s can promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma

RECOGNITION• How Queen’s can quickly and effectively determine when a student is experiencing mental health issues

RESPONSE• How Queen’s can provide the required levels of support for students facing various mental health challenges

Commission Activities

• Weekly meetings since September• Meetings by invitation and by request• Research into best practices• Written submissions, personal stories• Website: www.queensu.ca/cmh• Working forums • Presentations on campus

What have we heard?

• Facts, surveys, data:–Prevalence of mental illness– Increased attendance at universities of those

with established mental illness–University-age: high for development of mental

illness–Disincentive to declare, receive assistance

• The range of student experience–Stress, distress, illness

What have we heard?

• The need to recognize especially vulnerable populations– International students– Ethno-cultural groups– Family expectations; those who have never faltered– Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students– Those of colour– Any who feel different, unaccepted, outside and not

experiencing “the best years of your life!”• Particular issues of graduate students

• Need for mentoring• Student/supervisor relationship • Funding and related issues• TA role

What have we heard?

PREVENTION• Address the transitions– To University/Residence– To the Community– Through a program of study– To Graduate/Professional School

• Teach life and student skills (“University 101”, work-life balance, financial management, stress management etc.)

• Role of Orientation Week– Length– Content–Need for booster at critical junctures

What have we heard?

RECOGNITION• Expression of the value and importance of mental health– From the top– Formally expressed– Promulgated and supported through policies and

practices

• Mental health literacy– Formal and informal programs– Students, staff, faculty– Live + web-based, repeated, accessible

• Reduction of Stigma

What have we heard?

RESPONSE• Critical role of Residences–Programs–Policies–Dons–Peers• Critical role of HCDS• Critical role of peers• Critical role of faculty/department• Critical role of family• Links to Community Resources, Hospitals

Some ideas

• Address and modify unnecessary academic/timetabling stressors (exam schedule, a more consistent rhythm to the term)

• Fall reading week?

• New approaches to accommodation

• Expand mentoring/buddy programs

• More tools for profs, TAs , academic advisors, staff, peers for responding and referring

• “Hub and spoke” counselling model - contextual/in-school advising/counselling

Some ideas

• Pre-empt rather than catch up: early identification of academic difficulty, early intervention

• Creating supportive process for temporary withdrawal and smooth reintegration

• Life and coping skills programs–Workshops on $, break-ups, time management,

stress–Role of physical activity–Role of parents

Some ideas

• Use of social media to build awareness of mental health, resources, supports

• Help-lines and expanded use of community resources

• Mobile apps for awareness, help

• Positive role-model events (Clara Hughes)

Some ideas

• Academic Division or Centre for Student Mental Health–Advance knowledge–Develop programs– Integrate disciplines• Psychiatry• Psychology• Social Work• Law• Community• Etc…

Some ideas

• Role of Health, Counselling and Disability Services–Outreach and Education–Hub and Spoke counselling model– Integrated (by discipline and space)–Liaison and tight integration with

community/hospitals–Link with academic health professional schools–24/7 assessment, triage, intervention and

referral–New funding model–Location

Your ideas?

• PREVENTION

• RECOGNITION

• RESPONSE

Contact Us

• Send us your ideas, stories, comments

cmh@queensu.ca

www.queensu.ca/cmh

Where to go if you need support

On-Campus Resources:• Counselling Service at HCDS – 613-533-6000-78264

• University Chaplain – 613-533-2186 for non-denominational support and service

• Queen’s International Centre (QUIC) – 613-533-2604 – personal support and referral for international and exchange students

• Alma Mater Society (AMS) Peer Support Centre – 613-533-6000 – drop by Room 34, JDUC. Open from 3 pm to 1 am, 7 days a week

• Society of Graduate & Professional Students (SGPS) Advisors – 613-533-3169

• Campus Security at 613-533-6080 for after-hours access to support

• If you live in Residence, talk to your Don

Kingston Community Resources:

• Telephone Aid Line Kingston (7 am to 7 pm) 613-544-1771

• Frontenac Community Mental Health Crisis Service (24 hours) 613-544-4229

• Sexual Assault Centre Kingston (24 hours) 613-544-6424

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Line 1-800-268-9688