Health and Counselling Services (HCS) has seen a 50% increase in demand for mental health supports.

Currently, Carleton students’ fee is the lowest in the province (more than 50% below the provincial average). Due to this overwhelming demand for increased mental health supports, Health and Counselling Services is proposing a $25.00 per semester mental health fee, starting in Fall 2024. 

Voting

On March 14 – 15th please vote YES for a $25.00 Mental Health Fee by submitting the ballot that will be sent to your Carleton email inbox!

What will the mental health fee support?

  1. Allow Health and Counselling Services (HCS) to hire four (4) or more counsellors to increase access.
  2. Allow HCS to hire a Mental Health Nurse for complex case management support.
  3. Allow HCS to develop and implement regular psychoeducational workshops and events.
  4. Allow for the addition of a group counsellor and BIPOC counsellor.
  5. Allow for the addition of walk-in/single-session counselling.
  6. Allow for the current staffing of counsellors (17-19 counsellors).

Why do we need a $25.00 mental health fee?

  1. Increasing demand for services and growing annually (62% increase since 2018).
  2. Student complex needs increasing and require more resources for support.
  3. Continue to offer robust on-campus resources so students don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for off-campus counselling (average off-campus counselling cost is $120.00 per 50-minute session).
  4. Will assist in educating students on coping strategies and skills building.
  5. Will continue to be the lowest fee amongst all post-secondary institutions (average fee is $81.71).

Want more information about the mental health fee?

Visit the Carleton University Ancillary Fee Referenda webpage.