In October 2016, Carleton University launched the Student Mental Health Framework 2.0 with the goal of building a holistic, campus-wide approach to mental health and well-being. Over the last two years, students, staff, and faculty have been working collaboratively towards implementing the 38 recommendations outlined in the Framework.
34 of the 38 recommendations have been implemented or are ongoing.
Enhancing Mental Health Support
Building our capacity to provide the “right kind of support at the right time” by ensuring that we are providing a wide range of accessible services and resources.
- 24/7 off-campus professional mental health service Empower Me introduced in Fall 2018
- Online self-help and therapist assisted support offered through TAO
- Reduced wait times with the addition of 3 counsellors and 3 part-time psychiatrists in Fall 2018
- Additional teacher trained to increase availability of Koru Mindfulness program
- Access improved with Same-Day Counselling in Fall 2018
- Embedded Grad Student Counsellor piloted in 2018-19
Increasing Awareness, Training and Education
Continuing to increase mental health awareness and campus capacity to recognize signs and symptoms of distress by improving mental health literacy and awareness of resources and supports while building a capacity for having supportive conversations.
- 900+ staff, faculty and students participated in Supporting Students in Distress Workshops
- safeTALK delivered to 800+ campus members by 5 certified Carleton staff
- Mental Health and Well-Being Resource Guide distributed across campus
- Supporting a Friend Resource and Workshop developed and delivered by students
- 19,500+ visits to the Mental Health and Well-Being Website since October 2017
- The Health Promotion Team delivered 20 Mental Wellness Workshops to 800+ students and held 22 events
Building Thriving Communities
Building a community of care and fostering an environment where students can engage and thrive by creating and promoting formal and informal opportunities for students to connect, develop relationships and feel a sense of belonging.
- Mental Health Peer Support offered across campus with new programs piloted in 2018-19
- The Student Mental Health Engagement Committee increased awareness of mental health and well-being with 11 Pop-Up Wellness events
- Funds available through the Student Wellness Initiative Fund to develop well-being initiatives on campus
- 7 trained Carleton Therapy Dogs and handlers provided care and support to 750+ visitors since Fall 2018
- CUSA, GSA, SAMH, Mental Health Champions and other student groups offered programming and initiatives to build awareness and connections
Next Steps
The next steps in the Framework included expanded mental health training for students, staff and faculty, resources for fostering well-being in the classroom, and evaluation and assessment of programs and initiatives to ensure accessibility, sustainability and campus coordination.
Download the stylized PDF version of the Community Update 2019.