New research and knowledge hub to advance mental health and well-being in post-secondary education

A new comprehensive research and knowledge hub is set to lead the way in fostering well-being for students, faculty and staff as mental health remains a pressing topic in post-secondary environments. 

The burgeoning initiative is a partnership between the Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy (the University of Calgary’s renewed Campus Mental Health Strategy) and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education.

Enhancing connections 

The hub will be a beacon of research, offering insights and practical solutions that address the mental health and well-being challenges within post-secondary institutions. 

There's a recognition of the many diverse researchers on campus involved in mental health research and those who support the UCalgary community’s well-being, but a lack of interconnection between these two, says Dr. Jennifer Thannhauser, PhD’12, a counsellor for Student Wellness Services and the evaluation lead for the Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy (CMHWS). 

“We want to enhance connection between researchers and practitioners providing mental health and well-being services and also engage student voices,” says Thannhauser, a registered psychologist. 

Student involvement and a transdisciplinary approach are key components of the hub’s strategy, says Isaac Wright, a registered social worker and graduate research assistant on the project. 

“It's important that we use this kind of approach to hear from students across different faculties, as they each have unique perspectives and experiences based on their programs of study,” says Wright, a Master of Social Work student. Wright says his involvement with the initiative so far has already enabled him to gain valuable mentorship from experts in post-secondary mental health. 

The initiative will tackle a wide range of topics, including integrating mental health and well-being into classroom settings and teaching practices, supporting faculty and staff returning from leave, and assisting students transitioning from secondary to post-secondary education, says Dr. Andrew Szeto, PhD, psychology professor and CMHWS director, adding these are just a few examples of the issues the initiative aims to address. 

“We want to bring everyone on campus together; it’s not just for researchers, it is for everyone,” says Szeto. “We want to bring everyone together, understand the needs and priorities for mental health and well-being, and engage in co-creation so that the outcomes are truly applicable and impactful.” 

Wright says his work on the project has involved meeting with staff and students from similar hubs in the U.K., United States, and Canada to explore their operations, understand common approaches to mental health and well-being challenges, and discover what makes each hub unique.

Momentum and next steps 

A significant boost to the hub initiative came with the recent awarding of a $17,000 Transdisciplinary Connector Grant. The grant, led by Thannhauser, was awarded by the Office of the Vice President (Research), through the Institutes of Transdisciplinary Scholarship, and is designed to foster innovative and cross-disciplinary solutions. It also underscores the importance and potential impact of the hub. The grant will facilitate and enhance the hub’s capacity to drive meaningful change. 

The project, currently in its early planning stages, has already demonstrated significant momentum. Two engagement events held in June and November 2023 laid the groundwork, identifying key needs and opportunities for the hub. An upcoming event in October will further solidify the hub’s direction. 

The October event will bring together researchers from various faculties and departments, engage students who are passionate about mental health, and include a diverse range of service providers from Staff Wellness and Student Experience and Support, says Thannhauser. This collaborative approach will ensure the hub’s development is informed by a broad spectrum of perspectives and expertise. 

“My greatest hope is really to have this opportunity to hear from all of our community members, to learn together about what's going to be most helpful, to co-create our vision, our mission, to clarify what our purpose and our priorities will be together, because we want this hub to really be for the community,” says Thannhauser. 

Dr. Paul Arnold, director of the Mathison Centre and professor in the Department of Psychiatry, hopes this initiative inspires others to follow the lead and focus on mental health and well-being at the post-secondary level. 

“The hub is poised to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. Post-secondary institutions are home to current and future educators, researchers, thinkers, and leaders,” says Arnold. “We need better ways to bolster our community, reduce the barriers we face in accessing mental health supports, and support our collective thriving. I am excited that at the University of Calgary, we can develop world-leading research and practice and create a hub that fosters connection, collaborative learning, and knowledge exchange.