A World’s First Standard for post-secondary: Leveraging the campus collective to advance student mental health and well-being (E/SI)
April 24, 2023 | 9:45 am - 10:45 am
The past two years have highlighted new opportunities for post-secondary institutions to support students’ mental health and well-being while centering student voices. As leaders continue re-envisioning learning environments and mental health supports, they can continue to rely on The National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students (The Standard) for guidance. The first of its kind in the world, the Standard is an evidence-informed set of flexible, voluntary guidelines to help post-secondary institutions support the mental health and well-being of their students. Since its release in 2020, the Standard is being used at many institutions across Canada to evaluate and implement policies, programs, and services; support new partnerships; and inspire collective action. Drawing on the collective intelligence of students, this session will feature two CICan member institutions who will share their experience listening to and honouring student voices in their journey with the Standard as they work toward building supportive, accountable, and inclusive campus communities and cultures. As they look to keep students and their needs front and center, students’ opinions are valued and respected as vital expertise, thereby honouring student-centeredness, the first of six guiding principles within the Standard. The moderator will guide panelists through a series of questions about their efforts to engage students on topics related to equity, diversity and inclusion, and student well-being and mental health. Participants will gain insights based on the successes and lessons learned, and their related innovations that respond to the evolving needs of their diverse student body.