MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY & SUPPORT

Currently, Holland College offers free, confidential counselling to students across all campuses and centres. Our three counsellors are seeing a growing number of students in crisis or facing immediate mental health concerns. In 2021, one in five students was referred to a counsellor to address mental health challenges. Having resources in place to ensure they receive the help and support they need when it is most critical is imperative for their health and safety. Some students are dealing with the stress and anxiety that stems from financial burdens, relationships, self-identity, external conflicts, balancing responsibilities, and world events. Developing coping skills, knowing how to seek mental health information, and learning how to recognize, manage, and prevent mental disorders will go a long way toward building resiliency and achieving personal and professional autonomy.

Holland College will create a culture fluent in mental health literacy by expanding our current mental health and counselling services. This will include the hiring of an additional counsellor, increasing the number of available 1:1 counselling sessions, introducing group counselling, and providing mental health literacy workshops.

I found myself back in the classroom as a mature student, and soon realized I was facing some big challenges.

~ Anonymous Student Testimonial

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE & HEALTHY LIVING

Access to health care professionals is critical for physical and mental health, and a key component in overall wellness. Increasingly, students are experiencing limited access to primary health care and navigating the healthcare system can be challenging for both domestic and international students. At present, approximately 40 per cent of our students do not have a family physician. As a first step toward meeting this escalating demand, Holland College added a nurse practitioner to the team in 2021 to treat students needing care. The nurse practitioner provides students with numerous non-emergency medical services such as COVID-19 boosters, flu shots, sexual health counselling, mental health management, referrals, prescriptions, and assessment of physical injuries. An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to problems including sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, and increased tension and stress. We want to provide resources for students so they can educate themselves about the benefits of nutrition, physical activity, and exercise, creating a supportive social environment, and taking care of their mental and spiritual health.

Holland College will create a healthier community by enhancing and expanding current health services as a collaborative and integral resource within the student success and wellness centre. This will provide our students with easier access to health care and alleviate the current strain on surrounding primary health care providers, clinics, and hospitals. All students will have access to educational resources for healthy living.

To say that I am grateful for the support would be an understatement.

~ Anonymous Student Testimonial

Designated for students who have diagnosed learning disabilities or mental health issues.

Our student body is diverse. Some are entering college directly from high school. Others have been in the workforce and are seeking a new career path or want to reskill and upskill their credentials to meet the changing needs of industry. No matter the age or various stages of life they are at when they walk through our doors, we are seeing a growing number of students, today one in three, with either diagnosed or undiagnosed learning challenges, or mental health issues, which can have a negative impact on their academic success.

One common challenge many students face when deciding to pursue a post-secondary education is financially planning for it. For individuals with learning challenges, and people with mental health issues, this can be uniquely overwhelming and difficult.

Holland College is committed to removing potential barriers that may impede the success of these students. In addition to supporting them with modified programs and adaptations while in our classrooms and labs, we also want to ease their financial burdens, allowing them to fully focus on their education. Through the Thrive campaign we will establish a slate of entrance awards for students who have diagnosed learning disabilities or mental health issues, to provide them with every opportunity for success.