An Environmental Scan of Canadian Campus Mental Health Strategies
The Best Practices Network in Canadian Higher Ed (BP-Net.ca) is pleased to announce the release of a paper, An Environmental Scan of Canadian Campus Mental Health Strategies (2019).
The purpose of this paper is to support colleges and universities in their institutional mental health and wellness strategy development, by reporting on a review of Canadian campus mental health strategies. BP-Net conducted an environmental scan of existing post-secondary mental health strategies across Canada, from 2009 to 2019, and identified common and differing themes with respect to their development process, organizational structure, strategy components, key recommendations, and evaluation. With this, we offer guiding principles and future directions that post-secondary administrators and practitioners may consider in their strategy development and review process.
Mental Health and Well-Being in Post-Secondary Education Settings: A Literature and Environmental Scan to Support Planning and Action in Canada
Mental Health and Well-Being in Post-Secondary Education Settings, authored by Gail MacKean for the June 2011 CACUSS pre-conference workshop on mental health, presents a synthesis of the literature on post-secondary mental health to demonstrate how post-secondary institutes were currently addressing mental health on campuses at the time. The paper aimed to address three overarching questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How should we get there?
National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students
In collaboration with CSA Group (a global leader in standards development), the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), has championed the development of the Standard. Published in 2020, the Standard is the first of its kind in the world, building on the exceptional work of Canada’s post-secondary institutions and seeks to inspire further actions through principle-led approaches. The standard is meant to promote and strengthen student mental health and well-being to support student success.
Access The National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students (Website)
Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting University
The Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting University and Colleges, calls on post-secondary schools to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally. Created in June 2015, the Charter provides institutions with a common language, principles, and framework to become health and wellbeing promoting campuses.
Access The Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting University (PDF)
Learn more about The Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting University (Website)
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion marked a global health milestone and remains a vital reference for health promotion. Presented at the first International Conference on Health Promotion meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on November 21, 1986, the Ottawa Charter identified items for action to achieve Health for All by the year 2000 and beyond. The Charter identifies five components of health promotion action and prerequisites for health, including peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice and equity.
Access The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (PDF)
Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach
The Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach, released in 2013 by the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS) and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a holistic framework for student mental health on post-secondary campuses. The framework guides post-secondary institutions with self-assessment, strategic goal setting, and identifying opportunities for change, while recognizing the unique and varying environment of each campus.
Access the Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach (PDF)
Supporting the Mental Health of Emerging Adults in Ontario’s Post-Secondary System
In response to the surge of mental disorder that are seen during the merging adult period (ages 18 to 24), the Ontario government created the Supporting the Mental Health of Emerging Adults in Ontario’s Post-Secondary System. Released in 2017, this report outlines the unique considerations of mental health on post-secondary campuses and presents guidance for campuses to develop comprehensive plans for mental health and addiction strategies.
Access Supporting the Mental Health of Emerging Adults in Ontario’s Post-Secondary System (PDF)