Mental Health on Campus Podcast Series
The Mental Health on Campus Podcast by the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) explores mental health topics that impact post-secondary students.
Podcast Episodes
January 29, 2021
Dr. Efrosini Papaconstantinou, Associate Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University and scientist at the Center for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (CDPR), explores the importance of sleep and the consequences of poor sleep to the mental health of post-secondary students. This includes an explanation of the four stages that make up a sleep cycle as well as sleep hygiene.
February 18, 2021
Riley Wells, a Computer & Software Engineering Graduate from Queen’s University and Jack Talks speaker, leading mental health conversations for youth around Canada, explores the term “Toxic Masculinity” as well as men’s mental health on campus from the perspective of a recent graduate. Riley believes the key to mental wellness is found in the destigmatization of the topic through open discussions with friends and loved ones.
June 1, 2021
Jean Hopkins, a social worker in the community-based addictions and mental health sector with an MSc from McMaster University’s Global Health program shares an overview of the opioid crisis in Ontario, highlight how students and staff can learn more about problematic substance use and list harm reduction strategies and resources for campuses.
August 27, 2021
CICMH Director Marija Padjen and Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division’s Director of People and Wellness Kirstin Grant share tips and resources for both staff and students returning to in-person campus life. They will also highlight a resource created by CMHA Ontario on returning to the physical workplace.
November 23, 2021
Kaitlyn Axelrod, Program and Outreach Coordinator at Sheena’s Place, draws upon their experiences running eating disorder support groups at Sheena’s Place to discuss the challenges, successes, insights, and tips for facilitating online groups amidst the COVID-19 pandemic safely and effectively.
February 28, 2022
Leanna Marshall, Indigenous Counsellor at Confederation College, introduces Indigenized art therapy, its efficacy in virtual post-secondary settings, and its differences from other forms of art therapy. In addition to discussing their experiences with the WHEAT program, Leanna leads listeners through an eco-arts activity.
March 29, 2022
Eunice Oladejo, Vice-President of External Affairs at the University Students’ Council at Western and President at Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, and Paishence Johnston, Student at Georgian College, offer student perspectives on anti-oppressive practice on campuses.
September 23, 2022
Emily Anne Opala, CICMH’s Knowledge and Research Lead talks with Theresa Couto, Registered Dietitian & Wellness and Sustainability Manager at Queen’s University. They discuss food insecurity on post-secondary campuses, including the Swipe It Forward initiative at Queen’s University.
January 9, 2023
Taylah Harris-Mungo, CICMH’s Bilingual Knowledge and Research Lead talks with Adanyi Philip, a support worker and queer youth advocate, for a conversation about the well-being of 2SLBTQ+ students on post-secondary campuses, including available supports.
February 24, 2023
Dua Fatima, a Youth Outreach Specialist for YMCA’s Youth Gambling Awareness Program), Nicole Rita, a student from Humber College’s Addictions and Mental Health program, and Steve Keller, the Bilingual Curriculum Developer of Online Platforms and Program for the YMCA’s Cannabis Awareness Program discuss current research on youth cannabis and gambling addictions. They also share supports and services that are available to post-secondary institutions across Ontario.
March 28, 2023
Ash Koster, Program Manager with the Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP), and Laura Daly Trottier, Quality Improvement (QI) and Data Coach with EQIP outline QI best practices and how QI can impact practices on post-secondary campuses.
June 5, 2023
Katy Rankin, a registered social worker in Ontario’s education system and member of the Apitipiwinni Nation, Pikogan community, shares what mental health services on campuses can do to meet the needs of Indigenous students. Katy also discuses ways Indigenous staff can share their knowledge with campus colleagues, and how non-Indigenous staff can support their Indigenous students and colleagues.
August 8, 2023
Carla Grey, Jasmine Balakumaran, Joyce Tsui, and Marsha Astrop from Centennial College share their research project on academic accommodation. This study aims to learn about the experiences of students who require academic accommodations within the Collaborative Bachelor of Science Nursing (BScN) and Practical Nursing (PN) programs. They will share the study’s findings and recommended strategies to improve academic accommodations on campus.
September 5, 2023
Fiona Lacey, Program Lead for Peer Support and Young Caregivers at the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) and Victoria MacMillan, a Toronto Metropolitan University graduate and OCO placement student discuss the experiences of young caregivers in post-secondary institutions, including how staff can better support young caregivers.
January 19, 2024
Josée Joliat, Mental Health Strategy Manager at Collège Boréal discusses the reasons why Indigenous students access mental health services on campus, including the obstacles to getting support and what campuses can do to support Indigenous students. This podcast episode is in French.
Josée Joliat, Gestionnaire de la stratégie en santé mentale au Collège Boréal discute les raisons pourquoi les étudiants et étudiantes autochtones peuvent avoir besoin d’accéder les services de santé mentale sur les campus, quels sont les obstacles auxquels ils et elles sont confrontés et comment les établissements d’enseignement postsecondaire peuvent les aider.
June 4, 2024
Ella Wiseman, Research and Knowledge Lead at CICMH, explores fatphobia, including how it impacts post-secondary students, and what kinds of supports are available to campuses.
November 6, 2024
Andrée-Anne Maranda, associate director of psychotherapy and student mental health at the University of Ottawa, discusses how to support well-being and mental health on a bilingual campus. This podcast episode is in French.
Andrée-Anne Maranda, directrice associée du service de psychothérapie et de santé mentale étudiante à l’université d’Ottawa, explique comment soutenir le bien-être et la santé mentale sur un campus bilingue.
January 7, 2025
Marsha Josephs, executive director at the Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC) discusses the Pathways to Wellness resource, which introduces Indigenous students to ideas and strategies rooted in traditional Indigenous knowledge to support their well-being.