Collaborations for Change logo

Thursday, August 12 & Friday, August 13, 2021

Location: Virtual Conference

Join us for a 1.5-day virtual event as we bridge the gap between research and practice to support post-secondary student mental health that has been around for many years and exists in various sectors.  Featuring Keynote Speakers, Panel Discussions, Education Sessions ranging from 20 to 45 minutes, Ted Talks and Virtual Poster Sessions and opportunities to connect and collaborate to create change.

The idea of bridging the gap between research and practice has been around for many years and exists in various sectors. This is no different for mental health in post-secondary education. Although many post-secondary institutions are using evidence-based mental health services, practices and programs, evaluation of these services at post-secondary institutions is sometimes lacking, given limited resources. The potential for collection of rich data exists on post-secondary campuses and in student samples, which can be leveraged to inform campus mental health.  The research literature in post-secondary mental health is relatively sparse and not commensurate to the attention this topic receives in the public and media. The recent launch of the National Standard for Mental Health and Well-being for Post-Secondary Students (https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/studentstandard) provides a backdrop for the integration of research and practice on post-secondary campuses.  Opportunities for collaborations between researchers and clinical providers can fill this gap, especially as new partnerships between faculty and service providers to support post-secondary student mental health are becoming more prevalent.

This Conference will bring post-secondary student service professionals, mental health providers, and researchers together to have meaningful conversations on how to best move forward to integrate research and practice in post-secondary mental health. Students, whether working towards careers in academics or in professional practice, are vital for informing and sustaining collaborations as we move forward.

The conference will support the discussion of four streams and topics related to post-secondary mental health:

  1. Technological supports available to support the mental health of the post-secondary students;
  2. Evaluation, research, and assessment in the post-secondary student mental health context;
  3. Healthy campus and upstream approaches within the context of the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students post-secondary National Standard; and
  4. Service and program delivery models that support post-secondary student mental health.

Consistent with the overarching theme, discussion of these streams will involve research, and practice and how they can be integrated moving forward.

Registration Fees: 

All-Access Pass:  $50 plus GST

All-Access Pass for Students: $25 plus GST

All sessions are recorded and available post conference for up to ONE  year! 

If you can’t join us live, you can still register and view the content.

More information on the Collaborations for Change Conference and Conference Registration

Collaborations for Change Media Release (PDF)

Hosted by: The University of Calgary Campus Mental Health Strategy (www.ucalgary.ca/mentalhealth) and the Best Practices in Canadian Higher Ed Network (www.bp-net.ca). With support from the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS).