Canada’s Student Mental Health Network
Canada’s Student Mental Health Network is a knowledge mobilization initiative that facilitates universal access to mental health education and evidence-based resources tailoured to post-secondary students.
Using a participatory research design, the Network was created “by students, for students,” with the goal to enhance post-secondary students’ mental health education, promote strong social support networks and enhance awareness of available resources and supports. The Network creates and curates content focused on mental health literacy, social support, and help-seeking.
Content creation is driven by students and reviewed by subject matter experts, including researchers, faculty, clinicians, and student wellness services staff.
The Evidence
A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted between 2022-2024 with 500 post-secondary student participants to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Network as a mental health promotion resource. Results of the process evaluation provided evidence in support of both acceptability and feasibility of the space. Data from Google Analytics showed approximately 1,200 global users (90% Canadian), a 66% engagement rate, and an average of seven pages viewed per session. The most visited sections aligned with core goals: mental health education, resource access, and social connection. Feedback from interviews conducted with eight students provided additional context surrounding the feasibility of the space, including positive feedback on the aesthetics, relevance, usability, inclusion, and accessibility. Areas for content expansion and improvements to accessibility were identified and responded to.
An impact evaluation was conducted to assess the utility of the Network through a change in the primary outcomes of interest: mental health education, social support, and help-seeking. Data analyses are still underway, but preliminary results suggest an increase in resilience and reduced stress among female users and reductions in the average severity of specific student stressors.
Supporting Documents
Ecclestone A, Linden B, Monaghan C, Zheng S. (2023). Canada’s Student Mental Health Network: Protocol for a Comprehensive Program Evaluation. JMIR Research Protocols, 12:e41521. DOI: 10.2196/41521
Ecclestone A, Linden B, Rose J, Kullar K. (2025). Mobilizing Health Promotion Through Canada’s Student Mental Health Network: Concurrent, Mixed Methods Process Evaluation. JMIR Formative Research, 9:e58992. DOI: 10.2196/58992
For additional information, explore The Student Mental Health Website
If you are interested in learning more about The Network, please contact Brooke Linden brooke.linden@queensu.ca
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