Success Through Wellness:Seeing Yourself in the Campus Mental Health

StrategyStudent Affairs

Professional Development DayNovember 26th, 2014

Today’s Agenda 8:30 Greetings and introduction

8:45 Developing an Inclusive Campus Mental Health Strategy

9:15 Implementation of our Campus Mental Health Strategy

10:15 Break

10:30 Mental Health Advocacy and Accessibility

11:00 Health, Wellness, Safety and Respect

Noon Lunch

1:00 Mental Health Services for Staff and Students

2:30 Responding to Mental Health Problems on Campus

3:00 Introduction to Group Exercise/Break

3:00 Group Exercise 3:30 Group Discussion and Debriefing

4:00 Wrap-up

Developing an Inclusive Mental Health Strategy for the

University of Manitoba

Don Stewart, Ph.D., C.Psych.Associate Professor and Clinical

Psychologist Executive Director, Student Support

Stephanie Loewen, M.A.Director, Mental Health & Spiritual Health

CareManitoba Health, Healthy Living & Seniors

Overview

• What is mental health?• How does mental health relate to

mental illness?• Why does mental health matter?• How does a mental health strategy

help?• How did we develop our strategy?

What is Mental Health?• “The capacities of each and all of us to feel,

think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual well-being that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections, and personal dignity” (PHAC, 2006)

• The foundation for well-being and effective functioning for an individual and for a community

You can be Mentally Ill and Mentally Well at the Same Time!

Corey Keyes, 2002

Why does Mental Health Matter?

• For students, “mind, brain, and body must be in shape for and open to learning experiences…so we must pay attention to students’ well-being” (Douce & Keeling, 2014)

• For staff, “a work environment that promotes good mental health is socially responsible, cost effective, and helps attract and keep good employees” (MHCC, 2013)

So, what’s the concern…?

Universities are essentially ‘stress incubators’…

… that increase the risk of mental health problems for students and staff

Mental Health ConcernsInvolving Students

• 75% of mental disorders have an onset prior to age 25

• Anxiety and depression peak in the 18-24 year age group

• Young adults do not recognize mental health symptoms as such and are unlikely to seek help

• Young adults have high levels of self-stigma • Young adults face barriers to service accessibility• Young adults may lack resources to cope

effectively

Mental Health ConcernsInvolving Staff

• Personal and work-related stress are among the most common issues in EAP counselling requests

• More than 1 in 5 Canadians will develop a mental illness at some point in their life

• Each week about 500,000 Canadians miss work for mental-health related issues

• About 30% of disability claims and 70% of costs are mental-health related

• Mental health issues are a major source of workplace conflict, grievances, and turnover

• Mental health problems cost the economy about $51 billion annually

• Each dollar invested in preventive efforts yields almost $6 in savings

How does a Mental Health Strategy

• Reduces distress and increases productivity

• Fosters an environment where all can flourish

Help?

Benefits of an Inclusive Mental Health Strategy

Investing in campus mental health and well-being will contribute to: • Improved physical health • Increased life expectancy• Better educational achievement • Increased skills• Reduced health risk behaviours such as smoking and alcohol misuse• Reduced risk of mental health problems and suicide• Improved employment rates and productivity • Reduced anti-social behaviour and criminality • Higher levels of social interaction and participation

- No Health Without Mental Health, 2011

How did we Develop our Strategy?(Gather as much information from every feasible angle!)

Community Input Scrawl on the Wall Website Student, Staff & Faculty Interviews External Partner Interviews

Student Input Student Focus Groups NCHA Results

Faculty & Staff Input Online Survey

Services Available On and Off-Campus Services

Used Costs for services

Literature Review Research Best or Promising Practices Healthy Universities (UK) CMHA/CACUSS Guide (CAN)

Elements of Our Strategic Plan Journey

Hire a mental health consultant Develop a working group Scan evidence-based practice Develop a consultation strategy Scan current status of the mental health service system, including service

use Identify key UM, regional, and provincial stakeholders Consult with stakeholders Develop an advisory committee Review consultant’s report of recommendations Based on evidence and analysis of consultant’s report, develop a mental

health strategy Obtain approval for mental health strategy from President’s Executive Team Hire a Campus Mental Health Facilitator to develop an implementation plan

and monitor progress and outcomes of the strategy

Title of

presentation

umanitoba.ca