News

Expanding Mental Health Services at Canadore College

Funding provides more access to student mental health supports during COVID-19

NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is providing $375,621 to help improve mental health services for students at Canadore College. The funding is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness and will help ensure students receive the support they need when and where they need it.

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our postsecondary students,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “That is why it is so important that we support new projects that will help build better services and partnerships for virtual and on-campus mental health supports.”

“Canadore College appreciates the ongoing support and investments in student mental health and wellness services by the Ontario government. Canadore’s employees, along with our community partners, continue to develop and deliver innovative services based on our holistic approach, best practices and technologies. This project will make a positive difference in the lives of students and their families,” said George Burton, President and CEO of Canadore College.

“Support for student mental health and well-being is critical, especially during this time when the pressure associated with the pandemic is coupled with the stress of having to make career choices and life decisions,” said Mayor Al McDonald.  “I would like to thank the provincial government for its ongoing support to assist our students and young people.”

Canadore College will use the funding to support the following new project:

Collaborating through COVID-19: This project is an innovative approach to help improve student coping and resiliency that includes both virtual and in-person counselling, centralized case management software that addresses gaps due to COVID-19, and ensures mental health supports are provided to address the unique needs of First Nation students at the College. Canadore will be collaborating with CBI Health Group and Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support to carry-out this project.

Roadmap to Wellness is the government’s plan to build a connected and comprehensive mental health and addictions system that ensures children, youth, and adults in Ontario receive appropriate services where and when they need them.

QUICK FACTS

• To help postsecondary students during COVID-19, Ontario provided an additional $7 million in 2020-21 to increase access to mental health and addictions services, building on an investment of $19.25 million announced in October 2020. This funding will provide services to those studying on campus or virtually and will help address the needs of vulnerable and diverse groups, such as Indigenous students, LGBTQ+ students and students with disabilities.
• Over the last several years, the mental health needs of postsecondary students have increased dramatically in Canada. According to the last National College Health Assessment survey of the Canadian student population (2019):
  • 52 per cent of students reported feeling depressed, compared to 46 per cent in 2016.
  • 69 per cent experienced anxiety.
  • 12 per cent of Canada’s students had considered suicide, compared to 14 per cent in 2016.
  • 8 per cent of students reported having attempted suicide.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Roadmap to wellness: a plan to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system.

Learn more about mental health services in Ontario.