Student pressure 'really is there': Task force calls on U of T to simplify mental health services

A task force set up by the University of Toronto is recommending that the school simplify the way it delivers mental healthservices to students.

Its final report, released publicly on Wednesday, comes after the deaths of fourstudents by suicide on campus in recent years.

The Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health was led by Trevor Young.

The report says that there is a need for a clear "road map" that students can use to know which services are available and how to access them.It notes that manysupports are available at theschool's three campuses, but students often "struggle" to make use of them.

"Students experiencing mental health challenges or crises may find it especially difficult to find the services they need," the report says.

The call for a simplified system, such as a central phone number or single web presence, is among 21 recommendations fromthe task force, which began its workin April 2019.

"There is a need for one access point where anyone can easily query what to do if a student is seeking support or is in distress, regardless of campus, division, or college."

Young said in a news releasethat students made it clear that it is is difficult to make sense of the variety of mental health services at the school.

"It was really complicated," Young said.

Watch The National's documentary on student mental health:

U of T students demand more mental health services after recent suicides on campus

5 years ago

Duration 10:46

After four recent suicides on the University of Toronto campus, student activists are protesting to draw attention to what they call a mental health crisis. The Nationals Ioanna Roumeliotis spoke to students who struggled accessing mental health services on campus about the changes they want to see.

Second-year student Brian Hao agrees students aren't always aware of the services that exist to help them. And the services themselves aren't necessarily adequate, he says.

Pressure 'really is there'

For example, when Haowas experiencing a crisis lastyear, he says a friend tried to call a U of T help line, only to be put on hold and then disconnected. He says he'd like to see a more proactive approach by the school and welcomes the recommendations, even if they are a first step.

One of Hao's other friends wasthe first of four students at the school who died by suicide over the last year.

"It never really seemed like he was going through anything," Hao recalled.

But in March of 2018, he learned someone at residence had died. And it wasn't until a student protest the following day that he learned it was his friend.

At the time, he says, the school didn't acknowledge there had been a suicide on campus, saying only that there had been a death at its computer science building.

"University of Toronto, you know, it's known as the best school in Canada. Naturally, there's going to be pressure no matter what school you go to... but I think the pressure is a lot differentthan what people realize. It really is there."

Task force looked at impact of 'culture of excellence'

The task force also looked at the school's "culture of excellence" and institutional policies that may affect student well-being. It heard that the culture puts pressure on students may also contribute to the feeling of "imposter syndrome," the report says.

"The university should expand this notion of excellence to include wellness, in addition to excellence in research and academics, and truly become a 'culture of caring,'" the report recommends.

The task force, made up of 13 people, including faculty members, staffand students,was asked to look at four key areas:

• Mental health services and delivery.
• Co-ordination of services across the three campuses.
• Expanding community partnerships.
• Spaces offering mental health services at the university.

Itvisited all three campuses as it conducted several rounds ofconsultations.

As part of its call for a simplified system, the report urgesthe university to consider increasingafter-hours care, such on evenings and weekends, and to continue making services available attimes of high stress, such as during exams.

And it urges the university to expand itspartnerships with hospitals, including Toronto'sCentre for Addiction and Mental Health,to respond better to the increasing demand formental health resources.

'Transparent protocol' on deaths

When it comes to a student death, the task forcesays the university should adopt a "transparent protocol" in communications. Such a protocol would outline reasons for limiting information, includingprivacy legislation and requests by families for privacy.

"The university should publish a public protocol related to tragic events," the report reads.

"Such a protocol would also outline resources and supports, training, follow-up activities, and aspects of trauma-informed care that are available."

In a joint statement to students, faculty and staff, U of T president Meric Gertler and vice-president and provost Cheryl Regehr said they accept all of the task force's recommendations "wholeheartedly."

Speaking to CBC News, Regehr said some of the school's new measures are already in place, such as drop-in counselling during exam periods and a new around-the-clock phone line that provides service in over 140 languages.

"I think the most important thing to get outto students is, 'We're listening to you,'" she said.

"Students are central to who we are as a university ... We are privileged to have students who have offered theiradvice, their thoughts, their opinions and we've listened and we're acting on it."

Where to get help

Canada Suicide Prevention Service

Toll-free 1-833-456-4566

Text: 45645

Chat:crisisservicescanada.ca

In French:Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)

Kids Help Phone:

Phone:1-800-668-6868

Text:TALK to 686868 (English) or TEXTO to 686868 (French)

Live Chatcounselling atwww.kidshelpphone.ca

Post-Secondary Student Helpline:

Phone:1-866-925-5454

Good2talk.ca

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention:Find a 24-hour crisis centre

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. Here are somewarning signs:

• Suicidal thoughts.
• Substance abuse.
• Purposelessness.
• Anxiety.
• Feeling trapped.
• Hopelessness and helplessness.
• Withdrawal.
• Anger.
• Recklessness.
• Mood changes.