In 2017, the University of Waterloo formed a President’s Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health (PAC-SMH) The PAC-SMH was tasked with ensuring the collection of a broad set of information on student mental health considering both the UW student body and the larger societal context. It examined root causes of student stress, anxiety and depression, and how to mitigate them proactively instead of reactively. Janice was the Co-Chair of the committee’s Academic Panel and will discuss how the Advisory Committee was formed, what they found, the recommendations that were put forth and actions taken since the report was published in March 2018, focusing on those that related to a more general student audience.
At MacEwan University, the faculty and staff are working on identifying and assisting students in distress. Many post-secondary students today are facing challenges like never before. Increasing costs of tuition and living, academic and social pressures increase the stress level of students and those who interact with them. Experts have written on the marked growth in serious mental health problems on today’s campuses. MacEwan University faculty and staff are often the first points of contact with students who may be in distress. This session will help you identify students at risk, explore how to approach a student, learn to maintain appropriate boundaries and connect students with additional resources.
Moderator: Christie McGaghran, Program Manager at Centre for Continuing Education, McMaster University
Presenters:
- Tamara Lane, M.C. Registered Psychologist – MacEwan University Wellness and Psychological Services
- Janice Cooke, Manager Client Development Learner Service, Co-chair Academic Panel, President’s Advisory Committee – Student Mental Health
CAUCE Community of Pratice: Leadership and Program Management
Date: November 20, 2018, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm EST