Seize The Awkward is one of several new mental health initiatives sweeping Lethbridge College. Lori Harasem says the campaign is a helpful tool for those who aren’t sure how to start conversation about mental health with a friend who might be showing red flags.

Talking candidly about mental health has proven to be effective in easing the burden for those struggling with school or everyday life. The real challenge lies in getting the conversation started.

Lori Harasem, health promotion coordinator at Lethbridge College, is determined find new ways to spark positive conversation around campus about mental health and suicide prevention.

One way she hopes to do it is with a grant the college received from the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) to initiate a Life Promotion program.

“Life promotion isn’t a phrase that most people are familiar with, but it’s essentially an Indigenous way of looking at suicide prevention in that it’s more based on strength,” said Harasem.

According to the CASP website, life promotion reflects the wisdom of Indigenous traditional knowledge. It focuses on the interconnection between mental, physical, spiritual and emotional behaviour through four pillars: purpose, hope, meaning and belonging.

“When we were applying for the grant, we hadn’t even heard of the phrase life promotion,” admitted Harasem. “It was in our research that we recognized this is more of an Indigenous way of approaching suicide prevention with young people. Now we’re looking at how we can use these four pillars to meet the needs of students on campus.”

Along with a focus on life promotion, Harasem wants to create a peer-driven mental health initiative like the University of Lethbridge’s Student Wellness Ambassador Program (SWAP), where students help students cope with mental health troubles. 

“We want to create a program that will be like the university’s program and we’re going to be looking for students to help us create it. These students would go through some of the normal training for mental health support and suicide prevention and be made aware of resources available on campus and in the community,” said Harasem.

But what advantage do students have compared to professional counsellors or other supports?

For Autumn Ellis-Toddington, Team Spirit Coordinator of SWAP and neuroscience student at the University of Lethbridge, it’s their ability to empathize that makes them so valuable.

“I feel like students can connect to other students on a deeper level because we’re going through school at the same time. It’s kind of nice to know that the person who’s helping you out might be able to relate,” said Ellis-Toddington.

In her opinion, the stigma around mental health continues to be another big factor.

“I also feel like some students don’t think they need counselling. They’re still struggling a little bit and need to reach out for help, but they don’t want to go to a formal place to receive it. I think it’s important for them to have other options,” said Ellis-Toddington.

The university’s peer program has only been around since last year but is quickly gaining traction. It consists of five members and students who plan and coordinate wellness activities around campus and in town. Past events include drive-in movies, bowling nights and yoga sessions.

“We’re just trying to find different events that will get students engaged so they know more about the program. We’re already seeing a lot more people getting interested in the program and wanting to participate or collaborate,” said Ellis-Toddington.

Harasem joined Lethbridge College in July after serving as Community Engagement Specialist with the City of Lethbridge for 19 years. Though she’s still settling into her new role, she has no shortage of ideas when it comes to lifting the stigma around mental health talk. 

“We’re planning to launch the program in the Fall 2023 semester but want to get the word out now to generate as much conversation as possible,” said Harasem. “We’d love for our peer program to have students from all areas of the student body—international, mature, single-parent, Indigenous, queer—so that anyone who might need help can get help.”

If you’re interested in joining a student-led initiative, contact Wellness Services at 403-320-3289 or visit them at CE1380.