With many university students struggling with their mental health, mental health support groups are crucial bonding tools for students that avoid the drawbacks of traditional medical services.

“People are struggling,” Kingslei Medina told the Sheaf. “What we do is … provide a place where we can share each other’s burdens and encourage one another.”

Medina, a fourth-year geology student, makes this assertion based on his experiences as the coordinator for the Mental Health Support Group, one of three mental health support groups facilitated by students through the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union Help Centre.

Medina’s experiences are supported by the National College Health Assessment, which found that, in 2019, almost 70 per cent of Canadian university students experienced anxiety, while over 50 per cent were living with depression.

To assist with students’ mental health struggles, the U of S offers mental health supports including counselling services through the Student Wellness Centre and Empower Me, a toll-free line that connects students to a variety of mental health professionals. But for students who are looking to bridge the gap between emotional and medical services, there are also peer support groups.

Mental health support groups provide specialized spaces — led by a peer supporter — for people who are looking to share their feelings, learn coping strategies and find others with similar struggles.

Joshua Golem is the coordinator of one such group — the Men’s Mental Health Support Group, which is also facilitated by the USSU Help Centre. The fourth-year environmental engineering student suggested that one of the most valuable things his group offers is simply someone who listens.

“I’ve learned to just be a presence,” Golem said. “I just have to be there and sit. Sometimes, just listening [is important].”

Medina also believes that listening is a valuable peer support tool, and enjoys that the Mental Health Support Group allows him to connect with students outside of academia by engaging with them on a “deeper level.”

Mental health support groups also provide students with a cost-free alternative to expensive medical services. Through Studentcare, undergraduate students at the U of S receive financial coverage for up to 80 per cent per visit to a psychologist for a total of $750 per policy year. But psychologists often come with waitlists, and Studentcare does not cover costs for other mental health professionals like counsellors.

“Counselling was expensive,” Golem said when asked about his motivations for starting a mental health support group. “And to see a psychiatrist … it took months of process to go through.”

For students, it is not only mental health care that is expensive. At the College of Arts and Science — the largest college at the U of S — Canadian students pay an average of $7,026 for their yearly tuition, while international students pay an average of $21,078. 

“We, as students, pay a lot of money to come to university. And I want my fellow students to be able to succeed and get that degree,” Medina said, addressing why he believes that running the Mental Health Support Group is so important. “Without proper support within the university community, only a few people can make it.”

Medina and Golem ultimately stressed that it is important for struggling students to make use of the peer supports available to them.

“I really think that’s something we need to just talk about more,” Golem said. “I really want to provide [peer support] and emphasize to people how important it is and how easy to access it is.”

Medina echoed Golem’s thoughts, emphasizing that struggling students need community support to succeed both emotionally and academically. 

“The … thing is to not isolate yourself when you’re struggling. Make sure to reach out to people whom you trust. Make sure to reach out to the university or resources if you need to, and don’t be afraid to share … so that people can … support you better,” Medina said.

As discussions around mental health become more prominent, Golem suggests that peer support should be a central part of the conversation.

“It starts with just one person at a time.”

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Hannah Tran | Editor-in-Chief

Graphic: Jaymie Stachyruk | Graphics Editor