Students share conflicting views on college’s development of peer-centred program rather than investing in professional care
By: Christina Klysh
Bell Let’s Talk donated $100,000 in January 2024 to Red River College Polytechnic to fund a peer support program to improve students’ mental health.
“This program in particular is really a peer network, so this is the ability to train students to provide mental health support to other students as well,” said Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s president and CEO.
The college co-designed the support program with RRC Polytech students back in 2021 through a grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund, according to a statement on the college’s website
A 2018 paper by medical scientists at The University of Manchester in England reviewed three studies of student feedback on peer support programs in colleges and universities. One study found that both mentors and mentees found it to be useful. Two found little difference in student mental wellbeing.
Some students say they’re skeptical about the program, which will be developed by the college and the Students’ Association, saying the funds should have been used differently.
“I think the peer support program is good, but I think the school should be prioritizing getting actual therapists and counselors in,” said Fynn Pearson, a second-year Graphic Design student.
Other students say the idea of venting to peers could be more helpful than having therapists on-campus.
“I think [talking] to a peer would be more comfortable, because as a student they understand better,” said Smilepreet Kaur, a student in the Application Development and Delivery program.
Melinda Yanick, vice-president internal of the Student’s Association, is optimistic about the program, which the college aims to start in early 2025.
“My brain is just picturing a room full of students talking with each other, or students in a group. Big hugs and smiles, crying tears, I just feel a room full of love,” said Yanick.
Fizza Rashid, a campus mental health specialist with RRC Polytech, says this time of year may be difficult for students’ mental health for a variety of reasons.
“Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is something that we see a lot, and it’s basically a type of depression that is related to the change in season,” said Rashid.
According to Rashid, the specific causes of SAD are unknown, but it seems to be related to the reduction of sunlight. Some of the symptoms of SAD can be feeling depressed, losing interest in activities, low energy, issues with sleep, and changes in appetite and weight.
“If you look at it from a scientific perspective, it causes a drop in serotonin, and that’s the neurotransmitter in the brain that affects our mood, which can also trigger that depression” said Rashid. “Also, the balance of our body’s levels of melatonin are affected, which of course is linked to sleep.”
Rashid recommends several lifestyle changes students can make to help their mental health during the winter season, including physical activity, a nutritious diet, social connection, keeping a regular schedule, and exposure to natural light.
