With the stress inherent in university life, students at institutions of higher learning are increasingly acknowledged as being at-risk for poor mental health. In the wake of COVID-19, student mental health is more vulnerable than ever. In addition to the collective trauma of the pandemic, university students must navigate challenges in many spheres.
Social health can be difficult to maintain for young adults, especially when adversity introduces additional factors. Explicit, public, and self stigma can impact the social lives of students – which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and deter students from seeking help.
Academic pursuits demand great attention and effort, therefore, mental and emotional well-being are prerequisites for success. Poor mental health is a risk factor for academic drop-out and failure among students.
Additionally, students are under pressure financially. With high tuition rates, an increasing cost of living, limited time to work, and concerns about access to food, technology, and health services – students are stretched thin.
How do we help?
The Courage to Persevere Project is an initiat...read more
With the stress inherent in university life, students at institutions of higher learning are increasingly acknowledged as being at-risk for poor mental health. In the wake of COVID-19, student mental health is more vulnerable than ever. In addition to the collective trauma of the pandemic, university students must navigate challenges in many spheres.
Social health can be difficult to maintain for young adults, especially when adversity introduces additional factors. Explicit, public, and self stigma can impact the social lives of students – which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and deter students from seeking help.
Academic pursuits demand great attention and effort, therefore, mental and emotional well-being are prerequisites for success. Poor mental health is a risk factor for academic drop-out and failure among students.
Additionally, students are under pressure financially. With high tuition rates, an increasing cost of living, limited time to work, and concerns about access to food, technology, and health services – students are stretched thin.
How do we help?
The Courage to Persevere Project is an initiative that aims to support mental health warrior students by establishing awards at institutions of higher learning.
The first Courage to Persevere Award was established at Simon Fraser University by Megan Monkman and her family to offer financial aid, encouragement, and validation to students living with mental health conditions.
The award is intended to honour those students who often struggle in silence. It is a small gesture toward eliminating stigma for all; but it is hopefully a significant act for each student that receives the award.
For Megan, this cause hits close to home. In her final year studying at Simon Fraser University, she experienced a debilitating mental health crisis which affected her ability to learn, impacted her social well-being, and required a long recovery. She hopes that stigmas and attitudes around such difficult experiences soon change for the better