EDIAA

EDIAA

EDIAA is an acronym for Equity, Diversity , Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-racism. Ontario’s diversity is one of the province’s greatest strengths. We must understand the unique needs of students based on aspects of their identity such as race, culture, religion, physical or mental challenge, sexual orientation, etc., all of which can result in experiences of marginalization, discrimination, and unequal access to resources.

Why is it important?

Ontario’s diversity is one of the province’s greatest strengths. On post-secondary campuses, we must understand the unique needs of students based on aspects of their identity such as race, culture, religion, physical or mental challenge, sexual orientation, etc., all of which can result in experiences of marginalization, discrimination, and unequal access to resources. Equity considerations and approaches must always be at the forefront of any campus initiative (i.e., policy and programming), which meets the unique needs of students and supports their mental health and wellbeing.

34%

of 2SLGBTQIA+ students feel like they do not belong on their campus

Students in equity-deserving groups are more likely to experience exclusion, isolation, and barriers to accessing mental health support such as racism, discrimination, cultural insensitivity, and cultural stigma

Around 27%

of the Canadian population aged 15 and older have at least one disability

Frequently Asked Questions

What are social determinants of health and how do they impact mental health?

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the living conditions that shape individuals’ health. They include Indigenous status, disability, early life, education, employment, food insecurity, gender, housing, race, social exclusion, and more. Addressing SDOH touches on three factors that are significant to mental health: freedom from discrimination and violence, social inclusion, and access to economic resources. For more information on the intersection of SDOH and mental health, check out CICMH’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit.

What is the difference between cultural humility and cultural safety?

Cultural humility involves self-reflection, listening without judgement, and being open to learning from and about others. It requires individuals to learn about their own culture and biases and is the building block of cultural safety. Cultural safety is an outcome of cultural humility, defined and experienced by those who receive the service – they feel safe. Cultural safety requires acknowledging that we are all bearers of culture and carry our attitudes, beliefs, assumptions, and values, and is based on respectful engagement that can help students find paths to wellbeing.

What is Anti-Oppressive Practice?

Anti-Oppressive Practice is both a theory and a broad approach. When defined as an approach to social issues, it focuses on how larger systems create and protect the unearned privilege and power that some groups have while simultaneously creating, maintaining, and upholding difficult and inequitable conditions for other groups of people. These inequitable conditions created by larger systems lead to power imbalances between them. Anti-Oppressive Practice centers the experiences of equity-deserving groups to build structures and systems that work for everyone, recognize the oppression that exists in our society/space, aim to mitigate the effects of oppression, eventually equalize the power imbalances that exist between people, and recognize that all forms of oppression are interconnected in some way, shape or form. To learn more about Anti-Oppressive Practice within the post-secondary realm, visit CICMH’s Anti-Oppressive Practice Toolkit, Part One and Part Two.

Does the package include information about how to recognize when a friend is struggling and how to support them?

Yes, the New Student Orientation Package includes guidance on recognizing when a friend may be struggling with their mental health and how to support them through the More Feet on the Ground Course. It provides key signs to look for, such as changes in behavior, withdrawal from social activities, or expressions of distress. The package also outlines how to have compassionate conversations, offer support without overstepping boundaries, and connect a friend to appropriate campus resources. While it doesn’t have all the answers, it serves as a starting point to help you feel more confident in supporting those around you while also recognizing your own limits.