The Importance of Mental Health Education: Insights from Student Mentor, Stephanie Tam
Author: Emily Nguyen
November can be stressful month, especially for university students. With final exam season fast approaching, assessments pile up and the wave of panic rolls in.
This month, Stories of WISE wants to raise awareness on the subject of mental health. I had the pleasure of speaking with Stephanie Tam, a 3rd year University of Toronto student who is pursuing a pharmacology and toxicology specialist and bioethics minor. Throughout her studies, she has realized the prevalence of mental health issues on campus and has taken initiative to get involved through the University College Initiative for Mental Peace and Security (IMPS) mentorship program.
In our interview, she outlined her motivations for joining the program and provided some excellent insight into mental health resources that students can access when they need help.
How do you feel about the current state of student mental health on campus?
In general, the environment at U of T is very competitive. The academic programs here are rigorous, and each student deals with stresses, however there are instances where this can develop into more severe depression or anxiety. But, I do believe that U of T has been taking action to better the mental health scene on campus.
How did you get involved in the IMPS mentorship program? What is your role?
I discovered the program via the University College Literary and Athletic Society Instagram page. They were advertising the initiative and looking for people who have had experience navigating mental health issues and who were willing to share their knowledge with others who need help. Mentors get paired up with students and provide support and guidance in the mental health area. For example, we offer advice on how to cope with school stress in a healthy manner and we emphasize the importance of setting realistic academic and personal goals. I believe that these are very useful skills to have; we don’t learn these in lecture-based courses, but possessing this knowledge can help us deal with setbacks. In terms of training, mentors complete 3 in-person modules and attend sessions coordinated by University College which teach the nuances of having conversations that address sensitive topics. We are also taught to respect student boundaries in order to understand how to proceed in difficult situations.
What resources are you aware of for student mental health support?
There are a lot of great ones on campus!
1. Health and wellness counsellor services
2. College registrars: these individuals are great resources in cases when health and wellness counsellors aren’t available. They provide general academic support, such as course load logistics.
3. Accessibility services: if you find yourself struggling with nervousness like exam anxiety, this can be accommodated for via an assessment with one of their staff.
4. Department staff in your academic program: they want you to succeed! Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. They will be open and guide you through your program. These individuals are excellent for providing specialized academic support.
What is the most important aspect of promoting mental health and reducing the stigma around the idea of “getting help?”
Addressing that there IS a problem in the first place is crucial. We must realize that anxiety is prevalent amongst many students in order to let them know that it’s okay and not their fault for having this condition! However, it should not be something that hinders their success. I personally have taken initiative to inform myself on this topic. I will actually be attending the Dalla Lana School of Public Health Student-Led Conference! Their theme this year is “Pushing the Paradigm: Broadening Our Understanding of Mental Health.” I really want to learn more about mental health and get a better sense of what resources are available. You don’t necessarily need to know how to treat individuals who suffer from mental health issues in order to help them. Ultimately, by possessing general knowledge on the issue, you can be more receptive to individuals who open up to you. Only then can you direct them to the appropriate resources.
What are your top 3 de-stressing tips during exam season?
1. Meeting with friends! Keeping your struggles to yourself will make you feel worse. You need a good support network who can talk you through things and let you know that things aren’t as bad as you think they are.
2. Have a self-care evening. This will vary from person to person, but self-care can include taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk, or doing a face-mask to unwind.
3. Keep yourself busy. Try playing a board game or doing a puzzle. These are fun activities that you can do with your friends, and they also give you a sense of accomplishment!
We hope that this article will help anyone who might being going through a tough time. Just know that there are resources available and that as students, we are in this together! Best of luck for exam season!
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