UWO students highlight mental health

Overwhelmed by bouts of depression and unsure about the state of her mental health, Jennifer Francis was confused about where to turn for help.
Francis, then a first-year student at the University of Western Ontario, eventually was diagnosed with bipolar, obsessive compulsive and panic disorders.
She found help through medical treatment and counselling and went on to earn an degree in civil engineering.
But she believes one thing, besides the medical support she received, would have helped her hold on to hope: support from her fellow students.
“I would have really benefited from peer support,” said Francis.
Now that’s about to change, as the university students’ council has launched a Holding on to Hope campaign (holdingontohope.ca) to help students help students and reduce the stigma of mental illness.
“I’ve heard a lot of comments from students on campus about people with mental illness being violent and exhibiting other anti-social behaviour,” said Daniella McIntosh, a fourth-year psychology major and Western student council’s first Mental Health Issues Commissioner who is leading the Holding onto Hope campaign
Students will help students understand that counselling is available if they feel depressed, overwhelmed with homework feel homesick or feel alone.
They’ve launched the campaign in an effort to break the uncomfortable silence surrounding mental illness and help those directly affected by mental illness as well as friends and family.
“We want to show support to those suffering from mental illness,” said McIntosh.
Online and on campus, McIntosh and student council president-elect Andrew Forgione are getting people’s stories out. A series of videos on the YouTube channel, mentalhealthuwo, share the experiences of people such as Francis, who have struggled with mental illness and the ways they’ve been able to manage their challenges.
“We want to train upper-year student leaders to direct first-year students on how to access help if they need it,” said Forgione.
Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have been used to launch the initiative, McIntosh said.
“The online presence is amazing. People are getting the word out through re-tweeting. It Gets Better London has been supportive as has the website, mindyourmind.ca.” she said.
The campaign also has won endorsement from the top: “There’s no shame in this, and there’s no need to suffer alone,” writes UWO president Amit Chakma on the holdingontohope.ca homepage.
“Whether you’re grappling with how to manage a busy schedule or struggling with more complex personal issues affecting your frame of mind, it’s important to reach out for help.”
Francis, meanwhile, volunteers with the United Way and shares her story in workplaces across Ontario.
Mental Health Awareness Week will be part of the Holding onto Hope campaign and runs between March 21 and 24 in the UWO atrium.