University can be an exciting time for students as they navigate new situations and experiences, but it can also be very demanding, and students might feel overwhelmed from time to time with personal pressures in addition to the usual stresses of university life. New students, who may be away from home for the first time, may become homesick and miss the close support of their friends and family. International students may also find it challenging to adjust to a new culture.
Establishing a healthy lifestyle and a strong support network can help students build and maintain their physical, and mental, well-being. As a parent, being familiar with signs and symptoms of distress, and watching for significant changes in behaviour can ensure that students are connected with appropriate resources and services if needed. Carleton provides a variety of accessible resources and services to help students manage and maximize their mental health and well-being. We are here to support students with services and resources, no matter where they call home across the world.
Students who are having difficulties managing the challenges of university or who are in distress, are encouraged to seek support, from Carleton’s Health and Counselling Services, or from many of our community-based resources including Empower Me or International SOS.
Wellness Services Navigator
The Wellness Services Navigator provides a confidential and curated list of mental health and wellness resources. Students answer a series of questions about how they feel and specific concerns to describe their circumstances, and the the navigator provides a tailored list of resources on campus and in the community based on their answers.
Find Support
Carleton provides a variety of interventions, from self-help to more intensive individual support, that you can choose from to find the kind of support needed to maximize and manage your own mental health.
Help a Friend/Loved One
It can be difficult to know how to support a student when we aren’t sure how to respond. Often we worry that we might make things worse by saying or doing the wrong thing. The Supporting a Friend resources can help parents learn the basics of supporting a student in four steps.
Carleton Therapy Dogs
Sometimes you just need to spend some time with a happy, friendly Carleton Therapy Dog to help melt your stress away. Visit Carleton’s favourite furry friends on campus or via Instagram.
Submitting a Care Report
Sometimes we encounter friends, loved ones, or other students who are struggling. We make best efforts to provide direct support to these individuals as much as possible, but there are times when a referral to additional support is needed.
In the event you remain concerned about your student, you can submit a care report. This will document your concern and allow our Managers of Care and Support to follow up with you and your student. Please note that in cases where there is an imminent risk to the student (e.g. suicide risk, harm to self), you should contact emergency services immediately.