Success Through Wellness:
Seeing Yourself in the Campus Mental Health Strategy
Student Affairs
Professional Development Day
November 26th, 2014
Today’s Agenda
8:30
Greetings and introduction
8:45
Developing an Inclusive Campus Mental Health Strategy
9:15
Implementation of our Campus Mental Health Strategy
10:15
Break
10:30
Mental Health Advocacy and Accessibility
11:00
Health, Wellness, Safety and Respect
Noon
Lunch
1:00
Mental Health Services for Staff and Students
2:30
Responding to Mental Health Problems on Campus
3:00
Introduction to Group Exercise/Break
3:00
Group Exercise
3:30
Group Discussion and Debriefing
4:00
Wrap-up
Developing an Inclusive
Mental Health Strategy for the
University of Manitoba
Don Stewart, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist
Executive Director, Student Support
Stephanie Loewen, M.A.
Director, Mental Health & Spiritual Health Care
Manitoba Health, Healthy Living & Seniors
Overview
• What is mental health?
• How does mental health relate to mental
illness?
• Why does mental health matter?
• How does a mental health strategy help?
• How did we develop our strategy?
What is Mental Health?
• “The capacities of each and all of us to feel,
think, and act in ways that enhance our ability
to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we
face. It is a positive sense of emotional and
spiritual well-being that respects the
importance of culture, equity, social justice,
interconnections, and personal dignity” (PHAC,
2006)
• The foundation for well-being and effective
functioning for an individual and for a
community
You can be Mentally Ill and Mentally Well at the Same Time!
Corey Keyes, 2002
Why does Mental Health Matter?
• For students, “mind, brain, and body must be in
shape for and open to learning experiences…so
we must pay attention to students’ well-being”
(Douce & Keeling, 2014)
• For staff, “a work environment that promotes
good mental health is socially responsible, cost
effective, and helps attract and keep good
employees” (MHCC, 2013)
So, what’s the concern…?
Universities are essentially ‘stress
incubators’…
… that increase the risk of mental health
problems for students and staff
Mental Health Concerns
Involving Students
• 75% of mental disorders have an onset prior to age
25
• Anxiety and depression peak in the 18-24 year age
group
• Young adults do not recognize mental health
symptoms as such and are unlikely to seek help
• Young adults have high levels of self-stigma
• Young adults face barriers to service accessibility
• Young adults may lack resources to cope effectively
Mental Health Concerns
Involving Staff
• Personal and work-related stress are among the most common
issues in EAP counselling requests
• More than 1 in 5 Canadians will develop a mental illness at some
point in their life
• Each week about 500,000 Canadians miss work for mental-health
related issues
• About 30% of disability claims and 70% of costs are mental-health
related
• Mental health issues are a major source of workplace conflict,
grievances, and turnover
• Mental health problems cost the economy about $51 billion annually
• Each dollar invested in preventive efforts yields almost $6 in savings
How does a Mental Health
Strategy
• Reduces distress and increases
productivity
• Fosters an environment where
all can flourish
Benefits of an Inclusive
Mental Health Strategy
Investing in campus mental health and well-being will contribute
to:
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Improved physical health
Increased life expectancy
Better educational achievement
Increased skills
Reduced health risk behaviours such as smoking and alcohol misuse
Reduced risk of mental health problems and suicide
Improved employment rates and productivity
Reduced anti-social behaviour and criminality
Higher levels of social interaction and participation
- No Health Without Mental Health, 2011
How did we Develop our Strategy?
(Gather as much information from every feasible angle!)
Community Input
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Scrawl on the Wall
Website
Student, Staff & Faculty Interviews
External Partner Interviews
Student Input
 Student Focus Groups
 NCHA Results
Faculty & Staff Input
 Online Survey
Services Available
 On and Off-Campus Services
Used
 Costs for services
Literature Review
 Research
 Best or Promising Practices
 Healthy Universities (UK)
 CMHA/CACUSS Guide (CAN)
Elements of Our Strategic Plan Journey
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Hire a mental health consultant
Develop a working group
Scan evidence-based practice
Develop a consultation strategy
Scan current status of the mental health service system, including service
use
Identify key UM, regional, and provincial stakeholders
Consult with stakeholders
Develop an advisory committee
Review consultant’s report of recommendations
Based on evidence and analysis of consultant’s report, develop a mental
health strategy
Obtain approval for mental health strategy from President’s Executive Team
Hire a Campus Mental Health Facilitator to develop an implementation plan
and monitor progress and outcomes of the strategy
Title of presentation
umanitoba.ca