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?
- Allow Health and Counselling Services (HCS) to hire four (4) or more counsellors to increase access.
- Allow HCS to hire a Mental Health Nurse for complex case management support.
- Allow HCS to develop and implement regular psychoeducational workshops and events.
- Allow for the addition of a group counsellor and BIPOC counsellor.
- Allow for the addition of walk-in/single-session counselling.
- Allow for the current staffing of counsellors (17-19 counsellors).
Why do we need a $25.00 mental health fee?
- Increasing demand for services and growing annually (62% increase since 2018).
- Student complex needs increasing and require more resources for support.
- 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).
- Will assist in educating students on coping strategies and skills building.
- 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.