Raising awareness of mental health and healthy lifestyle habits

Raising awareness is about improving a population’s knowledge of the factors that influence mental health and healthy lifestyles. These factors are numerous, and mental health awareness initiatives in higher education settings can cover a wide range of topics, such as:

• Performance anxiety when studying.
• The links between healthy lifestyle habits and mental health.
• Mental health disorders, the recovery process and treatment options.
• Mental health stigma in educational settings.
• Seeking help and support at the right time.

Which actions contribute to raising awareness about mental health and healthy lifestyle habits?

• Identifying key messages that are free of mental health-related stigma, prejudice, and discrimination.
• Promoting the programs and the services available to support student mental health.
• Raising awareness of the impact of teaching practices on student mental health.
• Integrating key messages related to student mental health when organizing events.

References

Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS). The Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach

Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (2021) Plan d’action sur la santé mentale étudiante en enseignement supérieur 2021-2026