Why [Institution Name]
should consider aligning with Canada’s post-secondary
student mental health standard
How to use this presentation
These slides make a case for aligning with the Standard. They include talking points to help you secure the buy-in of key stakeholders
including senior administrators and chief executive.
The deck is built in a generic way so you can easily insert the content into your own templates and customize it with information relevant to your institution.
It also includes speaking notes with additional information that you can adapt to your preferred voice and style.
Remove this slide from the finished presentation.
Student mental health is a critical issue
• There are more than 2 million students in Canada’s post-secondary institutions. Of those:
• More than 60% feel “more than average” or “tremendous” stress
• More than 50% have felt so depressed it was hard to function
• 16% have seriously considered suicide
• Three out of every four mental health problems have been first
diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 24, when many are in or just out of post-secondary education.
“Mental health is a pervasive
issue that affects every student
at every part of their journey.”
The right supports improve outcomes
• 50% of students use campus mental health services
• Student, staff and faculty mental health are mutually reinforcing
• Students who get the support they need to thrive — with or without a mental illness — are more likely to succeed in their classes and
graduate
“There’s a connection between well-being, safe and healthy
environments, and retention
and graduation.”
How this is relevant for [institution name]
• Insert facts or stats from your institution (if available) that indicate either your own specific needs areas and opportunities or potential impacts you think could be achieved by adopting the Standard — basically, institution-specific data points to support your case.
Why a national standard?
• The National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students is a set of voluntary guidelines for enhancing existing mental health strategies and developing new ones.
• It was developed through extensive outreach, research and dialogues with sector stakeholders across the country over the course of two years.
• The Standard promotes consistent messages and actions to raise awareness, reduce stigma and support positive mental health outcomes.
• It supports healthier learning environments and the development of skills that improve student success.
What’s in the Standard?
• Guidance that can be tailored to meet our needs
• Recommended actions in key areas to help build a framework that aligns with our mission and values
• Key actionable areas:
• Leadership
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Planning
• Evaluation
• Policy and practice
• Stakeholder engagement
• Strategy development
• Continuous improvement
Why we need your support
• Embarking on a journey with the Standard will require an ongoing multi-year commitment to change and resources.
• Your support demonstrates that commitment to students and other stakeholders — and will help get them on board.
• As a champion, you can raise the profile of the initiative, make sure it doesn’t lose momentum and drive accountability.
“Student mental health is an
ongoing commitment.”
Learn more
Mental Health Commission of Canada
mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/studentstandard
CSA Group
https://store.csagroup.org/ccrz__ProductDetails?viewSt ate=DetailView&cartID=&portalUser=&store=&cclcl=en_US&
sku=CSA%20Z2003%3A20
