Ontario Supporting Postsecondary Students Mental Health at Canadore College & Nipissing University
November 19, 2021Additional investment of over $300K increases support for student mental wellness
NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is investing an additional $308,175 to increase mental health supports for postsecondary students at Canadore College and Nipissing University. This funding is part of an additional $8.7 million for Ontario postsecondary institutions announced on November 4 in the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario.
“Over the last several years the mental health needs of postsecondary students have increased dramatically,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “This investment in the mental health of our students will ensure we’re supporting them in their studies and future career goals, because when they succeed, we all succeed.”
“Canadore College has a long tradition of being student-centric, and we continue to look for ways to improve the wide range of academic and support services we offer to our students. Canadore’s Student Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy guides the development and evolution of services,” said George Burton, President and CEO of Canadore College. “We are grateful for these latest investments from the provincial government. The funding will allow the College to continue to respond quickly to the ever-changing needs of our students in the area of mental health and well-being.”
“The health and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority and has been especially critical over the last year and a half as students have had to adapt to many changes and challenges presented by the pandemic,” said Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President & Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University. “This funding will ensure we are able to continue to provide exceptional mental health supports to students which we know have a positive impact on student success.”
The funding breakdown is as follows:
Canadore College
- $57,553 for the Mental Health Services Grant
- $94,444 for the Mental Health Workers Grant
Nipissing University
- $61,734 for the Mental Health Service Grant
- $94,444 for the Mental Health Workers Grant
This additional funding will support postsecondary students and will help to address the increased need for mental health services due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. It also includes new funding for the nine Indigenous Institutes in Ontario and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and l’Université de l’Ontario français.
This investment builds on the government’s record investments to address mental health and addictions challenges from the 2021 Budget, for a total of $28.5 million in 2021–22 mental health supports at Ontario postsecondary institutions.
The province’s investments in mental health are part of the Roadmap to Wellness, 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
- In 2020-21, the government invested a total of $26.25 million in mental health supports for postsecondary students, an increase of $10.25 million over the previous year. This funding provided 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.
- 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.
- The Ontario government recently announced an investment of over $36 million in Indigenous-focused mental health and addictions (MHA) and trauma supports to directly support community needs.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Roadmap to wellness: a plan to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system.
2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario
Learn more about mental health services in Ontario.