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AS@W...For Students

What is the prevalence of mood difficulties amongst post-secondary students?

• A 2007 survey of 4000 university students at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada found that:

• 17.5% of students reported experiencing depression

• 12.2% of students reported having significant anxiety

• Many of these students reported that mood difficulties were affecting their academic performance.

• A major Canadian survey found that the majority of university counseling centres have seen a greater number of students presenting with psychological issues over the last five years.

What are some common stressors that students experience?

• Stressors can be divided into four broad categories:

• Predictable developmental issues

• Stresses of student life

• Individual challenges and vulnerabilities

• Crises

• Examples of predictable developmental issues include:

• Determining career plans and goals

• Clarifying and solidifying personal values and priorities

• Leaving home and friends to attend school

• Balancing one’s own family and culture with increasing individuality

• Developing intimate relationships and exploring sexuality

• Examples of stresses of student life include:

• Increased academic expectations

• Financial pressures

• Balancing the demands of school with work, family, friends, and other extracurricular activities

• Social and cultural isolation when living far from home

• Meeting new people and establishing new relationships

• Examples of individual challenges and vulnerabilities include:

• A history of depression or other mental health problems

• Experiences of abuse, loss, or trauma

• Coping with physical or mental health issues of others (e.g., family, friends)

• Ineffective or risky coping behaviours (e.g., disordered eating, alcohol or substance abuse, poor self-care)

• Examples of crises include:

• Serious health problem or injury

• Illness of death of a family member or friend

• Ending of a relationship

• Family problems

• Academic failure

What can schools do to reduce student stressors and support mental health?

• Educate faculty, staff, and administrators about how they can identify and help students in distress so they have the information and support needed.

• Offer educational workshops or courses on mental health and wellness for students that cover topics such as stress management, communication skills, study skills, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep.

• Provide widespread access to mental health resources, such as Antidepressant Skills @ Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace, Antidepressant Skills Workbook, and Dealing with Depression: Antidepressant Skills for Teens. Ensure that these resources are using evidence-based practices.

• Provide students with information and community resources about how they can improve their own mental health.

• Offer student support services such as:
  • Health professionals
  • Learning specialists
  • Educational advisors
• Offer professional mental health counseling services e.g. access to clinical social workers or psychologists.

• Promote clubs and extra-curricular activities that can help students connect with other students.

• Provide linkages to community and hospital mental health programs.

• Provide academic accommodations.

What is an academic accommodation?

• An academic accommodation is a supportive modification made to the academic environment that allows a student with an identified physical or psychological disability to continue to work in that environment.

• Accommodation involves trying to balance the demands of an individual’s workload with the limitations imposed by that individual’s disability.

• Accommodations can be arranged with student services or disability services with the proper documentation from a psychologist or psychiatrist.

What are some accommodations that schools can provide to students to help to manage stressors?

• Allowing more time to complete assignments

• Writing exams in a supervised, separate room

• Providing supervised breaks during exams

• Giving permission to record lectures

• Allowing the use of a note taker

• Receiving readings in advance to allow for more preparation time

• Allowing modifications to course load

References

BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. (2008). Campuses. Visions: BC’s Mental Health and Addictions Journal,42, 8-11, 25.

Bilsker, D., Gilbert, M., & Samra, J. (2007). Antidepressant Skills @ Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace. Available at http://www.comh.ca/antidepressant-skills/work/

Bilsker, D., Gilbert, M., Worling, D. & Garland, J. (2005). Dealing with Depression: Antidepressant Skills for Teens. Available at http://www.comh.ca/antidepressant-skills/teens/

Bilsker, D. & Paterson, R. (2005). Antidepressant Skills Workbook. Available at http://www.comh.ca/antidepressant-skills/adult/

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2008). Academic Accommodations. Accessed from http://www.cmha.ca/youreducation/accomodations.html .

Crozier, S. & Willihnganz, N. (2006). Canadian Counselling Centre Survey. Kingston, ON: Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.

 

About AS@W

How was Antidepressant Skills at Work developed?

The guide was developed by British Columbia Mental Health and Addiction Services (BCMHAS), an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. The guide and accompanying materials have been authored by Dr. Dan Bilsker, Dr. Merv Gilbert, and Dr. Joti Samra – registered psychologists and scientist-practitioners with expertise in issues relating to workplace mental health. These psychologists are with the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University. The guide was written on the basis of a review of the scientific literature; consultation with employers, unions, mental health providers and employee groups; and adaptation of existing self-care depression programs.

How can the manual be accessed?

The manual is available for viewing and free download at www.carmha.ca/antidepressant-skills/work/ or from www.bcmhas.ca/research. Individuals or organizations are free to print and make multiple copies of the guide, with permission from CARMHA. Print copies and audio CDs are available at a low cost from our ordering page at www.comh.ca/ordering/