Nipissing University and Canadore College will get $647,700 to help increase access to mental health and addiction services for students.
The funding will strengthen community partnerships, increase the number of mental health workers and programs, and immediately expand access for students to the provincial mental health and addictions system during COVID-19.
“We know that college and university can be a stressful time for our students and that the pandemic has only increased the impact on their mental health,” said MPP Vic Fedeli.
"Our students are experiencing a greater need for these supports during these especially challenging and stressful times as a result of COVID-19,” said Cheryl Sutton, Interim President of Nipissing University. “This essential funding will allow us to expand our student mental health services and supports, including the enhancement of additional virtual options to ensure we are keeping our student’s success at the heart of everything we do."
Nipissing University will receive $326,388 and Canadore College $321,370.
Over the last several years the mental health needs of postsecondary students have increased dramatically in Ontario.
According to the last National College Health Assessment survey of the Canadian student population (2019):
- 52 per cent of students reported feeling depressed, compared to 46 per cent in 2016.
- 69 per cent experienced anxiety.
- 12 per cent of Canada’s students had considered suicide, compared to 14 per cent in 2016.
- 2.8 per cent of students reported having attempted suicide.
- The funding supports a variety of initiatives, including Good2Talk/Allo j’écoute, Ontario's bilingual mental health helpline which provides professional counselling and information and referrals to all students via telephone, text and live chat (new this year). It is available to all postsecondary students 24/7, 365 days a year.
