Developing a Campus Mental Health Strategy

Dr. Andrew Szeto is the Director, Mental Health Strategy responsible for guiding the implementation of the 28 recommendations within the University of Calgary’s Campus Mental Health Strategy. He is also a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and a consultant with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Over the past 13 years, Dr. Szeto has focused on the development and evaluation of workplace mental illness stigma reduction and mental health promotion programs, such as The Working Mind and The Working Mind for First Responders. In addition, he has worked to develop and pilot The Inquiring Mind Post-Secondary and The Inquiring Mind Youth, programs tailored for post-secondary and junior high/high school students, respectively. Dr. Szeto also conducts basic research that examines the stigma of mental illnesses through a social psychological lens, including research on labelling, attitudes, and new interventions to reduce stigma. More recently, his research has focused on post-secondary mental health and wellbeing.

Dr. Jennifer Thannhauser is a Registered Psychologist and Counsellor (Professorial) in University of Calgary’s Student Wellness Services with 10+ years of experience in counselling, administration, teaching and research. Currently, she is also the Evaluation Lead for University of Calgary’s Campus Mental Health Strategy. Her clinical practice has drawn on strength-based approaches to post-secondary mental health. Jennifer maintains a program of research focused on resilience and post-secondary student mental health and wellbeing. She co-developed and evaluated the Roots of Resiliency program for students, which was recognized by BP-Net as a Promising Practice and was awarded a University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Award for Educational Leadership (Team). She currently co-leads a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant exploring resilience in the post-secondary context. Jennifer also provides leadership to the Resilience Research and Practice Community of Practice.