How to Help Student Stress and Mental Health

With final exams and assignments getting close, the amount of stress being placed on students is increasing. Severe stress is one of the leading causes of mental health issues, so it is important that students take the time to care for themselves and find the right balance between their schoolwork and personal life. With Nicole Chevrier of the Mental Health Commission of Canada reporting that around “three out of four mental health problems start by age 24,” the necessity for students to take care of their mental health becomes even more clear.

For students who may be struggling, the university offers a variety of options that can help, including the Health and Counselling Centre and the Peer Support Program (PSP). The PSP offers help to those seeking it through their student volunteers, such as Julia Baniak, who shared some information on the program and gave tips to students about taking care of themselves during the most trying time of the term.

For any students who have limited knowledge on the PSP, they may first be interested to know that all volunteers have the necessary qualifications, having what Baniak estimates to be at least 20 hours of training, including running through various scenarios. They also recognize that some students may just be looking for someone to talk to, “especially someone you might not know that can lend an ear to listen.” Baniak says that the main reason they are there is to listen to whatever issues one may have and to help in anyway possible, even if all a student wants is a small piece of advice. Their willingness to help ranges from “advice on a paper to relationship issues”—they are there for anything a student may need. As such, students should not hesitate to take advantage of the program and to use it to its full capacity.

The PSP is located on the top floor of the Bloomfield Center in room 147. Any students searching for it just need to follow the sign for TheU and search for the office with the PSP label. Other than the volunteers, Baniak shares that the office also includes “sensory tools you can use” for any students who may be in need.

Baniak also offers advice for what students can do outside of the PSP in order to take care of their mental and physical health. She highly encourages students to participate in physical activity, citing the science that states that activities, such as going for a walk, helps serotonin levels. Similarly, she shares that getting outside also assists in improving one’s mental state. While it may seem difficult with an increased amount of papers or the pressure to study, Baniak expresses that students should take time out of their day to do some sort of activity. She also shares that she finds it beneficial to slow down at the end of her day and have a set routine for the night, as it “helps to take the stress away” and “having something that you practice every day” provides stability.

Though it can be challenging, Baniak affirms that “in order to do better, you need to take time for yourself too.” Balancing life between school and personal time is greatly beneficial, and having what she refers to as “buffer room” can allow for less stress and a more reasonable pace to one’s day. She strongly encourages planning ahead, if possible, to allow students to have set expectations for their upcoming day or week. The PSP recognizes that exam season leads to greater stress levels and will be available all throughout this time for anyone in need of its services.  As the end of the academic year approaches, students are encouraged to care for themselves, and to make use of the programs provided to them. In doing so, students have the best foundation to maintain good mental health throughout one of the most stressful times of their year.