About Healthy Campus Saskatchewan
Healthy Campus Saskatchewan (HCSK) is a community of practice that unites the post-secondary sector and community organizations to support the mental health and well-being of students.
HCSK provides post-secondary institutions access to training, evidence-based information and resources, survey data and expert opinions on related topics.
HCSK’s vision is healthy and resilient campus communities, where students have the knowledge, tools and resources they need for mental health and wellness and academic and career success.
Strategic Priorities
National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students
HCSK supports the efforts of the post-secondary sector to implement the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s National Standard – guidelines designed to help post-secondary institutions support students’ mental health and well-being. While all institutions are at various stages of implementing the National Standard, they are taking active steps to raise awareness about mental health, provide overall healthier and safer institutional environments, and promote life and resiliency skills for students.
For more information on the National Standard, visit the National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students.
The Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS) is a survey of post-secondary students that provides validated and reliable measures of positive mental health, as well as multiple risk and protective factors. These factors include: school connectedness, social and emotional skills, academic performance, safety, sleep, exercise, food security and substance use. HCSK provides support to institutions in preparation for the survey and in analyzing the survey results.
The CCWS was initially conducted in spring 2021, with participation from more than 3,500 students across 17 post-secondary institutions. The survey established a broad baseline assessment of mental health and well-being for post-secondary students in the province. For more information, read the technical report, developed by the University of British Columbia. The Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey provides a summary of the 2021 survey results.
Students from 16 post-secondary institutions recently participated in the second edition of the CCWS in spring 2023. For more information, read the technical report, developed by the University of British Columbia. The Canadian Campus Wellness Survey provides more information.
Mental Health Training and Awareness
Certifying mental health trainers is key to helping post-secondary institutions build capacity to support the mental health and well-being of their students, faculty and staff. HCSK helps co-ordinate resources with institutions to ensure broad access to mental health training supports in the province, including the following:
- The Inquiring Mind – a self-focused program designed for post-secondary students that addresses issues like stigma reduction, resiliency skills and the Mental Health Continuum Model.
- The Working Mind – similar to The Inquiring Mind but developed for individuals in the workplace, including modules for employees and managers.
- Mental Health First Aid – participants learn the skills to interact with and help others experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
Resources
For a list of mental health community resources in Saskatchewan, please visit the Mental Health Services webpage. Students can check with their institution for more mental health resources.
For more information, email HCSK at HCSK@gov.sk.ca.
