Volume 1, Issue 1: Post-Secondary Mental Health

John Dias (Author) • Adley Lobo (Photo Editor) • Tomeo Ho (Designer)
John Dias (Author) • Adley Lobo (Photo Editor) • Tomeo Ho (Designer)
seasonal depression, and a variety of
other concerns. Following UTM’s decision
to create the reading week, campus
spokesperson Janet Stirling reported
the break was very important in helping
students de-stress and ensuring that
they have a mental health break.
Nevertheless, some students believe
that the University of Toronto should be
doing more to promote mental health.
They acknowledge, for example, that U
of T St. George (UTSG) has not implemented
a fall Reading Week like U of T’s
two satellite campuses, Scarborough
and Mississauga (UTM). UTSG appears
to have no plans of creating the reading
week and instead gives students a mere
two day break.
“
Some students believe
that the University of Toronto
should be doing more to
promote mental health.
Some students, such as fifth year UTSG
student Lizz Corazza, believe that UTSG
does not have a fall reading week because
it has higher academic expectations
of its larger number of students as
compared to UTSC and UTM. According
to Corazza, UTSG places a very strong
emphasis on academic achievement
rather than on mental health programs.
Keith Tong, a recent U of T mechanical
engineering graduate, describes the
learning environment of UTSG as a pressure
cooker. Tong adds that many of his
peers felt completely isolated as they
weren’t comfortable contacting U of T’s
counsellors.
“
It was like we were all
just numbers. U of T is a big
school, but I felt it could do
more to reach out to students
through counsellors.
Another reality at U of T that is said
be detrimental to the mental health of
students are high expectations and academic
pressures. U of T still has specific
criteria regarding deferring exams. A
student must have three exams within
24 hours to have one of the exams
rescheduled [2]. In most other circumstances,
U of T says it is unable to guarantee
deferrals.
It is unclear what U of T could do to allay
problems related to student stress,
anxiety, and depression; the answer
remains to be seen in years to come.
Some professors and faculty members
suggest that U of T should develop a
course specifically intended to help students
learn how to manage workloads,
deadlines, and common mental health
issues.
If U of T were to create the course, it
would be offered to first year students
and either count towards their electives
or breadth requirements. Rather than
be graded, the course could use a Pass/
Fail system. All students who develop
and demonstrate the ability to manage
the university curriculum, and an understanding
of the health and services
available to them would receive the
course credit.
The University of Toronto has created
a comprehensive platform promoting
mental health, but this may require a
revision of its course and exam policies
in order to facilitate the reduction of
stress, anxiety, and other health concerns
affecting its ever-increasing number
of students.
The University of Toronto has
created a comprehensive
platform promoting mental
health, but this may require a
revision of its course.
References:
[1] “Campus Crisis: Why are suicide rates
rising among university students?” CTV
NEWS (2013 ) Retrieved from: http://
www.ctvnews.ca/w5/campus-crisis-whyare-suicide-rates-rising-among-
university-students-1.1463654
[2] “Examinations” University of Toronto
Scarborough. Retrieved from: http://
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~registrar/calendars/calendar/Examinations.html
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