GPRC mental health services helped 40 students over the summer months

Last fall, the government announced $26 million over three years for mental health supports at Alberta campuses. This morning, the college provided an update on how the new mental health supports for students have been working.
 
The Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt was at the college today for the update and says there is an immense need for better mental health supports for students on campus.
 
“The number of suicide attempts on campuses are really shocking and I am really pleased that we are taking these actions to provide better mental health supports for students.”
 
Brent Nordhagen, a 22- year-old student studying business, says he was feeling stressed and overwhelmed when a teacher noticed a change in him and introduced him to the mental health supports at the college.
 
“I just want to thank GPRC for providing the services that they did, because without the services I truly truly believe that I wouldn’t be here where I stand today,” said Nordhagen. “I pushed on with the help of the services here at GPRC.”
 
Nordhagen wants to encourage other students to reach out if they need help.
 
“Don’t be afraid to reach out and reach for help. Someone is there to listen and here at GPRC we have a mental health team and they’re here to listen.  Just find someone who is close to you and start that dialogue and start that communication.  It’s never good to hold something in.”
 
Schmidt says they heard loud and clear from student associations all across the province that there is a significant need for better mental health supports on college campuses in Alberta.
 
Just in Grande Prairie and Fairview over the summer months, 40 students accessed the services
 
“I think there’s still a way to go to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems and it really takes the courage of a student like Brent to say that it’s ok to reach out for help when you need it and encourage other students to take that step,” said Schmidt.