The federal government has announced $2 million in funding to support post-secondary students and their mental health.
Post-secondary students have been among those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, with social isolation, virtual learning challenges, job insecurity and financial hardship having a profound impact on their mental health and well-being.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, a study shows more than half of Canadians aged 18-24 (61%) say their mental health has declined.
In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), a peer support pilot program is being created at five universities across the country including the University of New Brunswick and the University of Prince Edward Island.
UNB Bachelor of Arts student Niko Coady says she’s been struggling with mental health like many of her classmates during the pandemic.
“If there’s anything that I want people to take from today, it’s that students know their own needs best. We cannot effectively support students who are struggling without asking them what they need.”
Coady believes newcomers and marginalized students will especially benefit from this pilot.
Peer supporters will work with counselling and professional services on campus and help connect students to wider community supports through CMHA.
National spokesperson Bonnie Lipton-Bos says 100 students across the five universities selected will be given in-person and virtual training.
“Recovery is grounded in hope. We need to know we’re not alone in pain and struggle. Empathy is the fundamental principle of peer support.”
Funding for the program was announced at UNB’s Fredericton campus on Friday.
