WARNING: This story contains a discussion of suicide. If you need help, call or text 9-8-8 or check out this online resource.
In peak exam season, students across Canada gear up for several hard weeks of study. This immense academic pressure has proven to have serious repercussions for students’ mental well-being.
“Having a mental health problem that you’re going through can make it hard to get through school the same way it makes it hard to get through life,” said Aidan Serra, a former university student who suffers from bipolar disorder.
A CBC News investigation last year found that over 70 per cent of Canadian universities do not track students’ suicides.
Mount Royal University surveyed students in 2024, finding that 13 per cent of them contemplated suicide in the past year.
In recent years, universities in Canada have invested in this field.
Last August, the Alberta government earmarked $ 10 million to expand psychology programs to meet the growing demand for mental health services.
MRU has taken some measures to minimize the effects of academic pressure on students’ mental health. The university provides access to mental health assessments, workshops and support groups.
MRU’s Student Learning Services offer a daily learning hub, while Wellness Services offers student counselling services with daily walk-in sessions.
PHOTO: MAX CLARK
Jennifer McCormick, counsellor and associate professor at Mount Royal University, says students struggling with mental health issues can also get informal help.
“It doesn’t have to be a counsellor, talk to somebody in your life. Talk to your friend, your co-worker, your parent or your sibling. Just talk to somebody,” said McCormick.