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Opinion: Investing in student mental health: a critical imperative for Canada’s future

Article provided to The Hill Times by Benoit-Antoine Bacon, incoming President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of British Columbia | October 2, 2023

The pandemic put new and unprecedented pressures on Canada’s health systems, including mental health care. In response, universities have been rethinking how to provide adequate mental health support for an entire generation of students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a second pandemic: the wide-spread mental health and substance use issues that so many people are facing around the world. Among those most profoundly affected are post-secondary students, who not only have to navigate a challenging transition into adulthood but also the emotional toll of doing so through socially and economically challenging times. Now more than ever before, it is imperative that we prioritize mental health and wellness, especially among the younger population….

Investing in student mental health: a critical imperative for Canada’s future – The Hill Times

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