This inventory is supplementary to the Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach. It expands Appendix C of the Guide into a process that is aimed to help you to assess strengths, areas of growth and identify potential campus-specific outcomes regarding student mental health. We suggest using this document in conjunction with the Guide, and recommend the following steps:
With tremendous pleasure I, as co-chair of Campus Mental Health Community of Practice (CoP) present this comprehensive resource. This is based on Post-Secondary Student Mental Health (PSSMH): Guide to a Systemic Approach -- a collaborative initiative between the Canadian Association of Colleges and Universities Student Services (CACUSS) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). In devising this resource, I feel privileged to work with very thoughtful and committed members of our CoP who provided valuable feedback dating back to 2014 when the first draft was devised, to the current one.
In particular, I owe a ton of gratitude to Su-Ting Teo, Cheryl Washburn and Jonny Morris who spearheaded the collaborative effort of devising the Guide. Without their foundational work, this resource wouldn’t come to fruition. Su-Ting and Shaylyn Streatch’s very comprehensive feedback helped to clarify constructs and improving the communicative flow to individuals from diverse professional background. David Ness and Cathy Schroeder played an anchor role in conducting a national survey which highlighted the need of this inventory and resource guide. My co-chairs Patricia Kostouros and Ashley Humeniuk helped tremendously in keeping the initiative alive. I am also grateful to members our CoPs steering committee who attended our meetings and webinars despite their busy schedule and offered many good suggestions. Eric Dore and his colleagues from Polytechnique Montreal, worked with dedication in translating the inventory (items version) in French. The aesthetics and ease of user experience of this website is result of Nomans Land Creative finesse.
The interactive functionality of the website is due to the diligence and attention to detail of Wenbin Cai. Shafik Kamani’s ingenuity has given elegance to the hard copy version of the inventory. I am deeply indebted to Jennifer Hamilton and CACUSS board members who supported the idea with funds and logistical support. David Newman, thank you for promoting the work internationally. This comprehensive work would not have been accomplished without the tremendous support of my colleagues at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). Desmond Pouyat’s support for my involvement with the Campus Mental Health CoP has been instrumental. My wonderful UTSC students, Basma Chamas, Aryel Maharaj, Karen Young and Taylor Paulite have offered valuable insights from student’s perspective. The editorial polishing provided by Ruth Louden and Danielle Uy helped to improve the flow and comprehension of nuanced aspects of mental health. Finally, throughout this journey, I have felt that all of you have worked with a meaningful motivation—weaved into a commitment—creating a circle of care on campus for our students—a Core Canadian value. We are happy to share this value, translated in this concrete resource with campuses across the world—befittingly marking the 150th birthday of Canada.
- Tayyab Rashid, Ph.D., C.Psych, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).