Obstacles, Opportunities in Maintaining Student Mental Health

Students at postsecondary schools have other challenges besides passing class. 

“I’d say the biggest challenge to my mental health as a student is probably burnout,” said Hailee Wilson, who is currently studying to become a social worker at the University of Windsor. 

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations reported three quarters of postsecondary students had negative mental health during the 2021 to 2022 school year. 

While postsecondary schools have made efforts to promote mental health in schools through programs like counselling services and response teams, mental health experts have said students still face difficulties getting the help they need. 

“I’m going to say the biggest obstacle for mental health supports at this point is accessibility,” said Dr. Cory Saunders, a local neuropsychologist. “There’s not much else to say about that other than that is the big problem.”

Saunders went on to cite the increasing demand for mental health services during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, with both government-run and privately-owned services experiencing numerous backlogs and wait times. 

Aside from this, Saunders said the stress of managing schoolwork can create may lead students to develop bad habits. 

“You can end up with basically using things to make yourself feel better. Whether that be alcohol, drugs, food, it doesn’t matter. It’s the idea of using something to try to fill a hole that you’re feeling,” Saunders said. 

Statistics Canada found young people aged 15 to 24 are most likely to experience substance use disorders than any other age group.

For Wilson, that means using a variety of coping strategies to handle the pressure of managing schoolwork. 

“Probably just relaxing and taking time for myself,” she said. “That’s like going to work out, or even just laying in bed, having the time to lay in my bed and do nothing.”

Despite these issues, Saunders said there are actions students can take to improve their mental health. 

“Number one, good sleep hygiene,” he suggested. “And number two, some form of exercise.”