Cambrian joins national conversation on mental illness

Cambrian College will be joining the national conversation about mental illness as part of Bell Let’s Talk Day Jan. 28.

Students, staff and faculty volunteers will be encouraging everyone to learn more and talk about mental illness to counteract the stigma attached to this serious health concern.

“With one in five people experiencing some form of mental illness in their lifetime and recognizing the added stress that college adds to our students’ lives, Cambrian College proactively promotes mental health supports for our student body,” said Roni Brown, student support adviser in the Glenn Crombie Centre for Student Support.

“Not only are we active participants in education and awareness campaigns such as Bell Let’s Talk Day, we also have a group of highly trained mental health first aid instructors on staff at the college.”

The Glenn Crombie Centre provides services, including free counselling, to students with mental health challenges and a range of disabilities.

It also houses the Northern Ontario Assessment and Research Centre (NOARC), where researchers study learning challenges faced by students.

On Jan, 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will be handing out granola bars with inspirational messages, hosting information booths, playing thought-provoking videos and engaging in discussions about mental health.