CORE CONCEPT #1 – MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES: UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Importance
Post-secondary institutions are environments that bring about many stressors, academic pressures, and social changes. Thus, mental health issues may be triggered or exacerbated. Education about mental health can increase awareness and equip students with the knowledge to recognize early warning signs in order to improve students’ overall well-being. Further, mental health education helps promote a supportive post-secondary culture by decreasing the stigma of mental illness.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the umbrella term “mental health” and what it encompasses
• Provide a definition for what it means to have positive mental health
• Identify common mental health disorders in post-secondary students in Canada along with their signs, symptoms, and warning signs
• Understand common myths and misconceptions associated with mental health and disorders
• Be able to describe factors influencing mental health: biological, social, and environmental
• Recognize the impact of mental health on academic performance

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CORE CONCEPT #2 – PROMOTING MENTAL WELL-BEING IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Importance
Promoting mental well-being in post-secondary students is essential for academic success and overall health. Effective promotion involves learning coping strategies and self-care techniques. Students who are mentally healthy, are more motivated and engaged in their work. Additionally, many individuals are often uneducated about how to support friends or peers with poor mental health. Thus, learning about the promotion of mental well-being will equip individuals with a toolkit to deal with adverse conditions.

Learning Outcomes

• Provide a list of effective strategies to promote mental well-being and choose appropriate self-care practices given specific conditions
• Identify the mental health services available on campus and how to access resources
• Recall steps to take when supporting a friend or peer in distress
• Understand how to empower others or oneself to recognize when one should seek help