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.

Episode 1 – Sleep and Mental Health with Dr. Efrosini Papaconstantinou
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.

Episode 2 – Men’s Mental Health with Riley Wells
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.

Episode 3 – Opioid Crisis and Harm Reduction Strategies with Jean Hopkins
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.

Episode 4 – Return to Campus with Marija Padjen and Kirstin Grant
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.

Episode 5 – Sheena’s Place: A Guide to Online Group Support with Kaitlyn Axelrod 
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.

Episode 6 – Leaning Into Art: Indigenized Art Therapy with Leanna Marshall
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. 

Episode 7 – Anti-oppressive Practice on Campus: Students’ Perspectives 
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. 

Episode 8 – Food Insecurity and Mental Health with Emily Anne Opala and Theresa Couto
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.

Episode 9 – Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Students on Campus with Taylah Harris-Mungo and Adanyi Phillip
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.

Episode 10 –  Cannabis and Gambling Addiction Awareness with Dua Fatima, Nicole Rita and Steve Keller
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.

Episode 11 – Quality Improvement 101 with Ash Koster and Laura Daly-Trottier
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.

Episode 12 – Connecting with Indigenous Students and Staff on Campus with Megan VanEvery and Katy Rankin
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.

Episode 13 – Academic Accommodation Student and Recommendations for Post-Secondary Institutions with Centennial College
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.

Episode 14 – Young Caregivers in Post-Secondary with Fiona Lacey and Victoria MacMillan
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.

Episode 15 – Soutenic les  étudiants.es autochtones dans un établissement postsecondaire francophone
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.

Episode 16 – Unlearning Fatphobia
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.