The following Humber College press release was reprinted with permission.
Humber takes Lead in Addressing Student Mental Health
College receives $750,000 to deliver Mental Health First Aid training to Ontario colleges and universities
TORONTO, Ontario – March 26, 2013 – Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning has received more than $750,000 in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ (MTCU) Mental Health Innovation Fund. Humber will offer training to all 24 Ontario colleges as well as Northern Ontario universities to help them to address student mental health in a systemic way.
The funding for the three‐year initiative will enable Humber and Mental Health First Aid Canada to deliver Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to provincial post‐secondary institutions. Initially, Humber will train 24 people from up to 12 institutions to become MHFA instructors. These instructors will then be able to provide MHFA training to individuals at other colleges and universities. By the end of 2015, more than 2,700 post‐secondary faculty, staff, administrators and student leaders will have received MHFA training.
“We want to give college and university students the help they need to succeed in postsecondary education,” says Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Brad Duguid. “We want to help them have a healthy, productive transition to postsecondary institutions and deal with newfound
independence, both on and off campus.”
“The Mental Health First Aid training program is a significant and unprecedented step in understanding and destigmatizing mental health on campus,” said Jen McMillen, Humber’s Director of Student Access, Wellness and Development and architect of the initiative. “By creating a community of care and
equipping people with the skills and confidence to intervene, we can provide assistance to students in need to help them succeed in their post‐secondary studies.”
MFHA helps individuals identify when a person is developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis, and gives them the skills to provide initial support until appropriate help is found.
More than 400 Humber employees have already been trained in the two‐day evidence‐based course.
"Humber‘s example as an institution committed to combating student mental health concerns will have a meaningful impact on post‐secondary institutions throughout Ontario. Ideally, we’ll be able to
replicate the Humber model on campuses across Canada," said Sjors Reijers, Manager, Program
Promotions, Mental Health First Aid Canada. "The incidence of reported mental health concerns is rising.
As more students open up about their mental health problems, MHFA can help ensure colleges and universities have consistent ways of providing effective assistance and early access to services to students who need it."
“Early identification and intervention can put kids back on track – leading to better health outcomes, improved marks, and a higher standard of living," said The Honourable Laurel Broten, MPP Etobicoke‐
Lakeshore. "That’s why the Ontario government is making sure that students here at Humber and at colleges and universities across the province have access to more support and better mental health services.”
Mental Health First Aid Canada is a program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves 27,000 full‐time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide‐range of career‐focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path, including 150 full‐time programs across more than 40 fields of study, 200 part‐time and 400 online programs or courses. More than four out of five of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
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About the Mental Health Commission of Canada
The MHCC is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives.
Together we spark change.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
www.strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca
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For more information please contact:
Nadia Araujo / Andrew Leopold Marketing and Communications
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning nadia.araujo@humber.ca /andrew.leopold@humber.ca 416.675.6622 ext. 5479 / 4296
Kyle Marr, Senior Communication Specialist Mental Health Commission of Canada Office: (403) 385‐4050
Cell: (587) 226‐8782
kmarr@mentalhealthcommission.ca
