Building capacity
We foster self-management, sharing new perspectives and best practices to cultivate personal success and resilience.
One of the most important coping mechanisms we can impart is how to better manage the demands of learning, employment and relationships—a learned skill that increases the capacity of our students and employees. We’ve designed our activities in the second pillar to support capacity through these intentions:
- Leading students and employees to proactively manage their goals independently and with support from others
- Creating space for people to support their own mental wellness in culturally-relevant and accessible ways
- Encouraging the recognition of the warning signs of distress and early intervention, before harm occurs for oneself or for others
- Helping students and employees assess their own wellbeing, including factors such as substance use and related risks
- Communicating that seeking help is a normal, legitimate strategy, and ensure students and employees know how to access it
- Setting aside the resources to respond to students and employees facing mental health challenges
College-wide actions
Dedicated position for employee health and wellbeing
The College partnered with NSCCAU and NSGEU to reallocate EI Premium Rebate funds in support of employee mental health programs and resources, including creating the new position of Manager of Employee Health and Wellbeing. The dedicated leadership role aligns employee supports, benefits and resources, working closely with the mental wellness steering committee and the counselling and wellness manager in student affairs, as well as with our union partners and larger team.
The inquiring mind post-secondary virtual course
Through a flexible, moduled virtual format, this four-hour course can be integrated into existing scheduled courses or delivered as a stand-alone course. Designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of students, the course encourages students’ academic and personal success by encouraging them to seek help when they need it and assuring them the campus stands with them no matter what challenges they face.
African Heritage Month
During African Heritage Month (February 2022), African Canadian Cultural Supports held an online, live discussion – Talking About Black Mental Health. Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, this session was reserved for those identifying as Black, African Nova Scotian and/or of African Descent.
Equity review
In 2021-22, NSCC updated the Student Code of Conduct as a revised policy titled Student Community Standards policy, with wellbeing and fairness added as key guiding principles. Seeking to ensure our academic community is respectful and welcoming to all, the College continues to embed trauma-informed, culturally-responsive practices throughout student supports, services policies and processes.
Mental health 101 videos
Mental Health 101 is a series of self-guided videos for the post-secondary community in Nova Scotia to better recognize and respond to students in distress. It originates from the Stay Connected Mental Health Project, a collaboration among five Halifax universities, Nova Scotia Health and the IWK, and funded by Fred and Elizabeth Fountain in memory of their son, Alex.
Student affairs and academic collaboration
During orientation, Student Services from Ivany Campus did virtual classroom visits to guide students in calming the mind and body, and to mentally drop any habits, thoughts or beliefs that sabotage learning at the classroom door.
Accessibility services
The College has added to our accessibility services employees, reforming the team from 13 disability resource facilitators to 20 student accessibility specialists to fulfill on NSCC’s educational equity policy.
Post-care bursary evaluation report
In 2021, NSCC joined the growing list of post-secondary institutions reducing barriers to education for learners who’ve spent time in foster care. With the support of Bell funding, NSCC conducted a formative evaluation on the program's implementation. The result was a comprehensive report outlining recommendations for a comprehensive and sustainable program.
Campus initiatives
Facilities support employee learning conference
Truro Campus
“Some were impacted by anxiety and fear of the lockdowns, restrictions and mandates. And others were impacted with the anxiety of the restrictions being lifted. What I took away from the Mental Wellness workshop at the Facilities Support Learning Conference in June was that we are all dealing with our own anxieties, and to respect the challenge others may be facing.” - Don Hall, Facilities Support Assistant, Pictou Campus
Mindfulness sessions
Ivany and Truro campuses
Weekly mindfulness sessions with Ivany Continuing Care students included a brief talk and guided meditation to reduce stress and build coping skills. Ivany Practical Nursing students and faculty offered a similar experience, and Ivany and Truro Child and Youth Care students delivered a talk on mindfulness and a guided meditation session. The goal of these sessions was to encourage students to manage the often-stressful work environments they face in life and their clinical placements.
Mental health first aid certificate training
Strait Area Campus
Employees who complete the MHFA course can recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, decrease the stigma related to mental health, increase their confidence intervening with those experiencing a crisis and increase the help we offer to individuals who need support.
“Many of my students have depression, anxiety, PTSD and/or substance-related issues. The two-day workshop was an extraordinary, dynamic, rewarding, fun and thought-provoking exchange of ideas and practical guidance.” - Diane Walsh, Faculty, School of Access, Education and Language, Strait Area Campus
‘Place to be’ wellness room
Lunenburg Campus
This dedicated space at Lunenburg Campus is a hub for wellness programming. It's designed to be distinct from a classroom in its inviting comfort. It is used by individuals or small groups to relax and unwind, and for drop-in creative activities, a breakout room for small groups and pop-up events. It’s also a helpful destination for counselling or crisis support. Additional planning is underway to expand the space.
Cannabis health promotion and harm reduction
Marconi Campus
According to the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health, cannabis use has been shown to have negative effects and is a risk factor for psychosis. The Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey administered in fall 2020 revealed that 52% of NSCC respondents use cannabis in the past 12 months. Of those, 33% use it daily.
Marconi Campus adapted a University of Calgary model and launched a pilot Cannabis Café in Spring 2022 facilitated by first-year Social Services students. Approximately 24 students participated in the two-hour educational session, expressing the need for this type of training in both the post secondary and high school environment.
Resiliency sessions
Ivany Campus
Applied resiliency training unique to areas of study were offered to students. For example, first-year Pharmacy Technician students receive ten sessions on the five factors of resiliency; second-year Social Services students explore how we respond in a support role to grief and loss. Recharging My Resiliency is a virtual orientation workshop attended by more than sixty students this year, and digital screens on campus promoted support options as a positive and preventative tool.
Chair yoga
Akerley Campus
The campus hosted chair yoga for mental clarity, stress reduction and tension relief. Doing traditional yoga poses while sitting make it accessible for mostly everyone and can be done during work or school.
Mindfulness and meditation
Akerley Campus
The campus hosted sessions on mindfulness and meditation, and how being mindful toward your body and practising mindful movement can increase your awareness of what you need in the moment for wellness, focus and success.