A Systemic Approach to Student Mental Health: An Introduction

The premises outlined in the Guide is to inform the development of a systems wide approach to create a campus environment that is conducive to mental health and learning. Such an approach:

• Is comprehensive, and views the whole campus as the domain to be addressed and as responsible for enhancing and maintaining the mental health of community members; extends the focus beyond the individual and strategies such as treatment, skill building and awareness to the whole campus including its environment, organizational structure, policies and practices.
  
  
• Creates environmental conditions for the flourishing of all students that are grounded in values of social equity and sustainability; supports integrated development and capacity building; provides targeted programs for students who would benefit from assistance; and provides specialized services for students experiencing mental health issues.
  
  
• Is student–directed, grounded in values of informed choice and inclusion of students’ voices in strategy development and decision-making, especially of students with lived experiences of mental health issues.
  
  
• Involves all stakeholders in a collective, shared responsibility for creating campus environmental conditions that support student learning and mental health.
  

The following key components for student mental health strategy development were formulated from this review:

1. Institutional Structure: Organization, Planning and Policy
2. Supportive, Inclusive Campus Climate and Environment
3. Mental Health Awareness
4. Community Capacity to Respond to Early Indications of Student Concern
5. Self-Management Competencies and Coping Skills
6. Accessible Mental Health Services
7. Crisis Management