As you may have heard, October 10th has been declared World Mental Health Day by the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of this initiative is to raise awareness of mental health issues.
According to research, mental health issues should be of special concern to those involved in higher education. As reported by the CTV’s W5 in September, “it is apparent that the number of students considering suicide, and succeeding, appears to be growing, and the whole issue of mental health has become a real worry on university campuses all over Canada.” These and other revelations led the Canadian Association of College and Universities Student Services (CACUSS) and the Canadian Mental Health Association to partner in outlining tangible ways that higher education can support both learning and mental health (read their report “Post-Secondary Student Mental Health” here). In general, the recognition is that students are feeling more pressure than ever in their post-secondary education, and this is adversely affecting mental health.
Your Role In Mental Health Awareness
All GA/TAs play an important role in supporting mental health. As facilitators in classrooms and labs – and even as evaluators and mentors – we often recognize signs of stress, depression, or just general ill-health in our students. While tact and taboo might prevent us from addressing these issues, voicing your concerns with students that you feel are at risk in a respectful and non-confrontational way may cause those in need to seek help.
It is important to be informed on the types of resources offered to students seeking support for mental health issues. Here on campus at the University of Windsor, the Student Counseling Centre offers support on everything from mental health to learning disabilities or difficulties. On their website, you can also find links to other community services providing mental health resources in the Windsor area. There are also a number of independent organizations dedicated to students’ mental health, such as Students Against Depression. Based in the United Kingdom, this group provides resources and outlets for students experiencing depression. Discussing these types of resources in your classroom goes a long way towards informing your students on what resources are available to them.
It’s also important to keep an open dialogue with your students. One-on-one time isn’t always possible, but don’t be afraid to check in on your students’ stress level. Compassion can go a long way.
Your Own Mental Health
Don’t forget that you are a student too, and that means you’re just as susceptible to the pressures of school life. We’ve posted or linked to resources in the past that suggest ways that you can maintain your own mental health and the mental health of your peers. It’s also important that you recognize that counseling is available to everyone – even those who tend to act as counselors for their students.
Always be mindful of how you manage your stress. The University of British Columbia’s “Stress Busters” suggest that eating right and sleeping regularly (oh, you haven’t heard about sleep?) are important ways to combat stress. It may also help to reach out to resources here on campus at Windsor such as the S.T.E.P.S. program or Campus Life Line.
[…] written here before about the difficult responsibilities that come with being a TA, both promoting mental health awareness and providing students with strategies for combatting stress. The stakes are raised, however, when […]