Friday, October 10, 2014
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Improving Mental Health Support for College and University Students
Ontario is strengthening mental health supports for postsecondary students by extending the Mental Health Innovation Fund.
The fund supports projects that improve access to high-quality mental health services such as mental health first aid instructors and a mental health support website, developed at Queen's University, which will serve all postsecondary students in Ontario.
The current call for proposals is being launched with a focus on First Nation and Métis students, students with addictions issues and students with mental health or addictions issues who are transitioning from secondary to postsecondary studies.
Providing more mental health support in colleges and universities supports the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts:
- October 10, 2014 is World Mental Health Day. Ontario invests $9 million annually to support improved mental health services for postsecondary students, including up to $6 million each year for the Mental Health Innovation Fund.
- The government will begin accepting proposals from colleges and universities later this month.
- This support for postsecondary students is part of the multi-year, $257 million Open Minds, Healthy Minds, Ontario’s comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
Learn More:
Quotes:
"On World Mental Health Day, the Ontario government is proud to renew our support for the Mental Health Innovation Fund, which provides Ontario’s postsecondary students with access to high-quality, coordinated mental health care. The safety and well-being of postsecondary students is a crucial responsibility and this latest call for proposals will lead to new projects, which will help identify mental health issues and connect students to supports faster."
— Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
"Student health and well-being is reliant on the university working as a whole to create the conditions that allow students to flourish. Our work in developing the Student Mental Health Framework recognizes the relationship between the academic environment and student health, places a focus on promoting health and well-being as a foundation for academic and life success, and ensures we provide a range of programs and services to meet the continuum of student mental health needs."
— Lucy Fromowitz, Assistant Vice-President, Student Life, University of Toronto
"The initiatives and work being organized by the UofT administration on student mental health will mean that everyone, faculty, staff and students, will recognize they have a role in student mental wellness. As someone who has been an advocate on this issue for many years, it is especially empowering and gratifying to see the work that is being done."
— Kaleem Hawa, University of Toronto Student
Media Contact:
May Nazar
Communications Branch, MTCU
416-325-2746
may.nazar@ontario.ca
Public inquiries
416-325-2929 or
TTY: 1-800-268-7095
1-800-387-5514
Zak Paget
Minister’s Office, MTCU
416-326-1625
zak.paget@ontario.ca
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