Giving Day 2015 supports student mental health programs

The overwhelming anxiety and pressures of student life can last years, but one day of fundraising — along with puppies and tea — at the University of Alberta could help change that.

UAlberta Giving Day is a 24-hour online marathon aimed at raising $50,000 to support new and current mental health support programs at the U of A. In 2013, the National College Health Assessment found that 55 per cent of U of A students struggle with anxiety, 63 per cent of students report feeling lonely while 8.5 per cent of students have seriously considered suicide.

Furry Friends, a puppy-petting program as a form of anxiety relief, and Unitea, a friendly and relaxing way to sip away stress, were on display at Giving Day’s launch on Tuesday afternoon.

Healthy Campus Unit team lead Melissa Visconti said Giving Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of different programs, such as Furry Friends and Unitea, and what they can do to support student mental health throughout the academic year.

“Student mental health as well as student well-being is really a campus effort that involves all different kinds of people coming together to support students as well as our campus community,” she said.

The reason why different mental health support programs exist is because it allows students to choose and figure out what kind of self-care works best for them, Visconti said.

For some students, a Unitea tea party might be that simple solution, Community Social Work team members Michelle Holubisky and Tiffany Sampson added.

“A tea party is a really simple way to bring together and engage with people,” Holubisky said. “To really highlight the importance of simple conversations and the importance of simple conversations in our day-to-day lives. We forget that social connection is a huge protective factor for mental health.”

Sampson agreed, and said Giving Day is a way to decrease student loneliness and isolation on campus.

“It’s an opportunity for people not to feel invisible,” Sampson said.

As of 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, UAlberta Giving Day has already raised more than $43,000.

When the Office of Advancement approached Dean of Students Robin Everall, she said it was a “tremendous opportunity” to raise awareness for student mental health on campus. With the funds, Everall said the university’s network of mental health support services will be continuously improved.

“There are real challenges for students that can take their toll to the point that students’ academics and personal lives are adversely affected,” Everall said. “We’re always looking for new ways to reach out to our students, to provide them with the services they need, and to help them deal with challenges that life throws at them.”

UAlberta Giving Day runs from Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. until Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. Donations can be made on USEED.