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Nipissing, Canadore get more mental health funding

Nipissing University and Canadore College will both receive over $300,000 each to build on mental health programming for students. 

The funding was announced by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli during a Zoom media conference Wednesday morning.

“We know that college and university can be a stressful time for our students and that the pandemic has only increased the impact on their mental health,” said Fedeli. “That is why we are investing more in mental health services locally, to better meet student needs by creating the best conditions possible for students to achieve their goals.”

Nipissing University will receive $326,388 for its mental health supports. Cheryl Sutton, interim president and vice-chancellor of the university says the money is helpful, especially during the pandemic.

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“This essential funding will allow us to expand our student mental health services and supports, including the enhancement of additional virtual options to ensure we are keeping our student’s success at the heart of everything we do,” she stated. 

George Burton, president of Canadore College, says the $321,370 from the province will help the college in its mental health priorities.

“Canadore College made the holistic health of our students a priority many years ago. The College welcomes this Ontario investment in mental health and addiction services as it supports our newly launched Student Mental Health and Well-being Strategy,” said Burton. “This funding will help the College improve the support we provide for our students to cope with the usual stresses and anxieties that come with college life, as well as the additional challenges with COVID-19.”

The funding is part of the Ontario government’s $26 million in mental health support for post-secondary institutions in the province. 

According to the last National College Health Assessment survey of the Canadian student population (2019):

  • 52 per cent of students reported feeling depressed, compared to 46 per cent in 2016.
  • 69 per cent experienced anxiety.
  • 12 per cent of Canada’s students had considered suicide, compared to 14 per cent in
  • 2016.
  • 2.8 per cent of students reported having attempted suicide.
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