Exploring The Mental Health of Post-Secondary Students Following The Release of The 'In It Together 2020' Framework

Abstract

Post-secondary student mental health is not just a post-secondary education concern; it is a far greater societal problem that needs to be addressed through systemic improvements. As students continue to grapple with the threats to mental health that distinctively present themselves on campuses, provinces across Canada are developing frameworks to address the student mental health crisis. Although the number of mental health promotion frameworks created and publicized is plentiful, there is a need for better implementation and evaluation of them. This research aimed to explore how current Ontario post-secondary students dealing with mental health challenges perceive campus mental health care following the release of the In It Together 2020: Foundations for Promoting Mental Wellness in Campus Communities framework. Qualitative description and a constructivist approach to reflexive thematic analysis, guided by the social ecological model, allowed for an in-depth exploration of student experiences and perceptions surrounding campus mental health supports and services. Five overarching themes were identified from participant narratives and organized within the five levels of the social ecological model: 1) the transition in and out of post-secondary education is a stressor in and of itself; 2) the power of peers; 3) available services lack sincerity; 4) boundaries of community extend beyond campus gates; and, 5) the cost of action and reaction. Results suggest that although students appreciated the framework and its intended goals, the participants interviewed did not see or recognize some of its principles and recommendations showing up within their institutions. These findings elucidate critical consideration of how campus mental health supports and services are viewed, facilitated, implemented, and experienced on Ontario post-secondary campuses and beyond.