Bell Let’s Talk event at Sault College focuses on where to find help
Bell Let’s Talk events in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday brought the focus on mental health to a post-secondary setting.
Sault College students and faculty gathered to share stories and speak on the importance of reaching out for mental health support.
The college’s student support department organized much of the event, but also wanted to focus on a relatively new committee at the school.
“A lot of the time students connect better with their peers, with other students,” said Luke O’Brien, who’s with Sault College Student Support.
The mental health well-being advisory committee is made up of students and works to ensure peers know where to go if they need mental health supports.
“Mental health services in our community, we provide this information to students,” said committee member Shuangqing Li.
“We don’t want them to feel alone when they have mental health issues.”
Sault College officials said Bell Let’s Talk is a way they can emphasize to students that there are options out there for dealing with tough times.
Though it’s something college faculty try and do on a regular basis, they say the annual day to focus on mental health leads to students coming forward, asking for help.
“More and more students are coming to share their stories and want to seek out the services,” O’Brien said.
“They want to know what services we have and when they finally realize and understand the full scope of services we offer, they’re more likely to come and visit and share with their classmates.”
“Some students during tests or during their studies they will have lots of stress or pressure, so we are here to help them to deal with their mental health,” Li added.
“We want them to have a good life on campus.”
College officials said they are proud of the supports provided on campus, and are working to come up with ideas to further help students.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.