Douglas College receives $25,000 grant for mental wellness for students
Douglas College has received a $25,000 Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund grant to support the mental health and well-being of students.
The College will use the grant to develop a comprehensive wellness strategy that ties existing initiatives and supports together and that aligns with the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students.
“Mental health can have a significant impact on a student’s ability to learn and be successful. Positive mental health can support success, while mental health struggles and mental illness can create barriers to effective learning,” said Patty Hambler, Director of Student Affairs and Services at Douglas College.”
Hambler said the grant will support important work already underway at the College to develop a mental wellness strategy.
“Specifically, we will be strengthening our approach toward mental health literacy and using tools within the National Standard of Canada for Mental-Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students to identify strengths and gaps within our mental health supports.”
The National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students guidelines emphasize a focus on increasing awareness, reducing stigma, improving life and resiliency skills, and creating a healthier and safer educational environment overall.
“Being a student can put a lot of pressure on your mental health, and the pandemic has added to that pressure. It’s great that Douglas is continuing to take this issue seriously by expanding wellness supports,” said Tristan Yan, a second-year Environmental Science student.
Douglas College is one of 123 Canadian colleges and universities awarded the grant.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
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Contact
Maggie Tung
Communications Coordinator
tungm@douglascollege.ca