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Indigenous post-secondary needs assessment survey summary 2025

Date

Jun 11, 2026

Topics

Program Evaluation

Specific Populations

Indigenous Students

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The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) has successfully completed its third Indigenous needs assessment survey, which ran from October to December 2025. The primary objective of the needs assessment is to identify ongoing gaps in supporting the mental health and well-being of Indigenous post-secondary students and staff mental health across Ontario. While findings from our survey demonstrate the positive work that has been implemented to support Indigenous students, there are ongoing barriers and challenges that need to be addressed as campuses work towards furthering their reconciliation efforts.

Indigenous student summary

This year we had a total of 173 Indigenous students complete the survey.

56% of Indigenous students reported that their mental health impacted their ability to continue their studies (compared to 63% last year)
67% of Indigenous students repeatedly expressed that they have experienced stigma when accessing mental health services on campus (compared to 53% last year)

Region:

*CALL-OUT BOX:* 49% of Indigenous students were in their first or second year of study, with 68% being in undergraduate studies.

*CALL-OUT BOX:* This year we did not receive any francophone Indigenous student responses despite significant outreach.

Demographics:

Institution:

*CALL-OUT BOX:* Over half of Indigenous students shared they had a positive experience accessing services on campus.

“They do not understand traditional teachings and the important of spiritual growth in healing. Making sure the Elders who are present are able to provide support services and confidentiality needed, as some may be struggling with their own.” -Indigenous student

Barriers faced by Indigenous students:

Factors/challenges impacting Indigenous student’s mental health:

Indigenous staff summary

This year a total of 53 Indigenous staff completed the survey.

Demographic:

*CALL-OUT BOX:* This year we had one francophone Indigenous staff member respond to the survey. We included their responses to the English survey.

Region:

Institution:

Indigenous staff on post-secondary are reporting an increase in the following:

76% compassion fatigue/empathic strain exhaustion (compared to 33% last year)
62% Indigenous students seeking support (compared to 88% last year)
33% complexity of issues faced by Indigenous students (compared to 22% last year)

“Students experience complex issues, lack of family support, financial stress, domestic violence, substance use, suicidal thoughts/family or friends who attempted suicide, self-harm, depressionand anxiety.” -Indigenous staff member

Barriers to providing support to Indigenous students:

How to use findings in your work:

Indigenous staff have utilized previous survey results to:

Expand their understanding based on the survey results (ex. barriers Indigenous students face)
Reflect on how to improve current services
Encourage students to reach out to their services
Connect with community organizations, members, and Elders

*CALL-OUT BOX: Please tells us how you can make improvements on your campus to better support Indigenous students using CICMH’s previous Indigenous needs assessments. We would love to hear from you! Email: info@campusmentalhealth.ca

“Helping to create culturally safe spaces and improving support for Indigenous students. I’ve prioritized collaborating with Elders and community. I’ve also strengthened communication about available resources and continue to reflect on my own practices so I can stay respectful, culturally aware, and responsive to Indigenous priorities on campus.” – Indigenous staff member