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The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is inviting the public to provide feedback on a set of draft guidelines to help post-secondary institutions support student mental health

The Standard on Psychological Health and Safety for Post-Secondary Students (PSS Standard) is a set of voluntary guidelines to help post-secondary institutions promote and support students’ psychological health, safety and success. The public is invited to visit:   https://publicreview.csa.ca  and search Z2003  to find the draft PSS Standard and provide input before November 6, 2019. A final PSS Standard will be released in 2020. 

The MHCC, committed to creating a better mental health system for Canadians, and its partners have spent the past 18 months developing research, and holding dialogues across the country with students, people living with a mental illness, post-secondary institutions, service providers, and other stakeholders to help develop an approach to a growing problem for post-secondary institutions and students.

The 2016 National College Health Assessment by the American College Health Association reported that 46 per cent of students studying in Canadian post-secondary institutions, felt so depressed it was difficult to function. About 65 per cent reported feeling overwhelmed by anxiety.

More than three-quarters of mental health illnesses are first diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 25 – a time when many individuals are studying at the post-secondary level in Canada. When students are experiencing a mental health issue, it can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can be difficult to concentrate. They may also experience problems with their physical health, such as lack of sleep and exhaustion. To learn more about the PSS Standard, visit the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s website at https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/studentstandard

Key Messages:
•    The Mental Health Commission of Canada is inviting the public to provide feedback on draft guidelines to help post-secondary institutions support student mental health.
•    Visit https://publicreview.csa.ca and search Z2003   to find the draft PSS Standard on Psychological Health and Safety for Post-Secondary Students to provide input before November 6, 2019.
•    Student mental health is a growing societal problem.
•    A 2016 survey (NCHA) reported that 46% of students studying at Canadian post-secondary institutions felt so depressed it was difficult to function. About 65% reported feeling overwhelmed by anxiety.
•    More than three-quarters of mental health illnesses are first diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 25 – a time when many individuals in Canada are studying at the post-secondary level.
•    Following two years of research and engagement, the final PSS Standard on Psychological Health and Safety will be released in 2020.
•    The PSS Standard will be a set of voluntary guidelines to help post-secondary institutions promote and support students’ psychological health, safety and success.