Toolkits
International Students' Mental Health
August 3, 2023
The challenges of adjustment and acculturation have been well-documented; however, the same attention has not been given to the mental health challenges experienced by international students.
International Students
August 3, 2023
Being far away from their home communities and cultural differences in the understanding of wellness make international students an important population for institutions to consider when developing supportive mental health and well-being services and programming. This toolkit aims to dissect key issues and provide a fulsome understanding of how the unique vulnerability of international students intersects with daily life to mold mental health outcomes.
The Winter Blues
A Guide for Students
June 16, 2023
This infosheet is aimed specifically at students. Winter in Canada can bring many changes to the quality of our daily experience. The days get shorter and greyer. The weather is colder, and it may lead us to spend more time indoors. International students who have not experienced winter may find this time especially challenging to their mental wellness. Symptoms such as low energy, irritability, and low mood can arise.
Culture Shock
A Guide for International Students
June 16, 2023
This infosheet is aimed specifically at international students. For many students moving to Canada may result in culture shock. Culture shock is the feeling of being disoriented when entering a new and different culture. As an international student, you are likely making constant adjustments to climate, campus life, time zones, food, language, and social rules or rules of behaviour. This infosheet provides critical information on factors that lead to culture shock, the stages of culture shock, and tips for coping with it.
IPEC: Indigenous Action Plan
May 16, 2023
This slide deck outlines the Indigenous Action Plan developed by the Indigenous Peoples Education Circle (IPEC). The deck highlights the experience of Indigenous learners, their vision for improving student outcomes, as well as the steps they will take and strategies they will use to achieve their goals.
Graduate Student Experiences of Indigenous Studies in Post-Secondary Education: A Comparative Study of Norway and Canada
May 10, 2023
This study intends to help fill the gap in the literature by exploring what the expectations and experiences of Indigenous Studies alumni in Norway and Canada are, and what this tells us about Indigenous Studies programs in these countries.
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Mental Health and Treatment Use Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 9, 2023
This study aimed to investigate gender and racial/ethnic disparities in mental health and treatment use in undergraduate and graduate students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental health and academic outcomes over the first year at university in international compared to domestic Canadian students
May 9, 2023
This article aimed to compare risk factors and associated mental health and academic outcomes between international and domestic students. International students had comparable or lower rates of clinically significant anxiety, depression, and insomnia. However, international students were more likely to report having attempted suicide.
Student Interaction and Negative Mental Health Effects: Evaluating Black Students' Perceptions of Racial Climate at a Canadian University
May 8, 2023
In this MA thesis from the University of British Columbia, utilizing 12 in-depth interviews with Black students, results show that Black students navigate instances of everyday racism on campus and in the classroom. Consequently, Black students experience negative mental health effects, forms of alienation, and social isolation.