FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government continues to collaborate with the Health and Education Research Group at the University of New Brunswick to carry-out a positive mental health initiative for all publicly-funded post-secondary educational institutes.
Last year the provincial government invested $187,000 into the initiative.
The project, now in its second year, is designed to provide institutional educators, student services professionals, administration and human resource personnel, and students with strategic approaches, support practices and tools for promoting and embedding psychological wellness within post-secondary environments.
“We have been following this initiative closely and are pleased with the encouraging results so far,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Jody Carr. “This project is about shifting the attitudes and beliefs regarding mental health and reframing the way we communicate and work with others. Our government is committed to helping all students to access and succeed in post-secondary studies.”
The initiative has already undergone several preliminary stages including the training of positive mental health champions.
Accomplishments to date include the delivery of promotional workshops by the wellness champions; the completion of mental fitness and resiliency inventories; the creation of positive mental health reports for strategic planning; the implementation of campus wellness committee planning activities; the creation of online tools, and videos and other resources.
“We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour,” said Prof. Bill Morrison, co-executive director of the research group. “Although it is just a beginning, we are observing increased understanding and awareness of what it means to create a positive mental health environment within our post-secondary institutions.”
“We believe that the existing strengths of each educational community, coupled with these initial promotional efforts, will contribute to enhanced engagement and opportunities for positively impacting mental fitness across New Brunswick colleges and universities,” said Prof. Patricia Peterson, co-executive director of the research group.
The initiative represents a key action item to increase accessibility, as outlined in Transformation, the government’s strategy to develop a public post-secondary education system that is accessible, transparent and sustainable and which is recognized nationally and internationally for the quality of its teaching and research. To support these efforts, the provincial government has increased funding in this area by more than $22 million over the past four years.
“The importance of building healthy and inclusive environments on New Brunswick's campuses cannot be overstated,” said Pat Joyce, executive director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance. “Equipping these institutions with tools to promote positive mental health and create cultural change is a meaningful way to support students during a stressful and challenging time in their lives. This initiative represents a positive step forward and we look forward to its ongoing progress.”
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23-07-14
