**CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE**

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division is pleased to partner with Collège Boréal on the launch of a unique fundraising initiative that reminds students about the importance of positive mental health on campus and throughout the province.

Beginning today, the college will donate $5 of every application fee it receives to CMHA Ontario in support of community-based mental health and addictions services.

The funds will also support CMHA Ontario’s campus program – the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health – which aims to help colleges and universities in the province enhance capacity to support student mental health and well-being.

“Mental health is a concern on any campus as young people often face challenges during significant transitionary periods in their life,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario. “With this campaign, Collège Boréal is staying true to its reputation as a tight-knit school where students care not only for each other but for the broader community.”

“Boréal students will appreciate the sentiment behind the campaign’s tagline which is ‘Your choice will make a difference for someone else,’” Quenneville said.

Maintaining positive mental health on any campus is a focus for post-secondary administrators.
But at Collège Boréal, the spotlight is great given the high concentration of international students or students from northern Ontario who may for the first time be living and studying thousands of kilometres away from family, friends and familiar culture.

“As a smaller college, we are proud to identify ourselves as a family. We want our students and staff to feel a strong human component and connection to one another no matter where they are on our different campuses,” said Renée Hallée, Director – Students services, Collège Boréal. “We want them to know that if they’re struggling, they can reach out to us and get the help they need.”

Because of its unique culture and composition of its student body, the college has always paid special attention to developing policies and programs that support its students.

The college has several mental health supports for students, including:

• Guidance to navigate in the system to find appropriate support
• Financial support for therapy
• Specific staff training in mental health
• Awareness projects such as seminars and workshops

Fast Facts:

• 70 per cent of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence
• Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80 per cent of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities.
• A 2015 study indicates reduced stigma around mental health and that 70 per cent of Canadians believe attitudes about mental health issues have changed for the better compared to five years ago.

About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario

CMHA Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization that works to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 30 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.

About Collège Boréal

Established in 1995, Collège Boréal is a French language post-secondary training and learning institution dedicated to the development and growth of communities throughout Ontario. Collège Boréal offers comprehensive programs and services in 38 access centres in 27 communities throughout the province. Since 1995, approximately 120,000 clients across Ontario have benefited from Collège Boréal’s expertise relating to post-secondary education, training programs, immigration and settlement services, and employment services. Collège Boréal has established over 70 articulation agreements with other post-secondary institutions. According to the Key Performance Indicators recognized by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Collège Boréal now holds the top rank in three of the five areas surveyed! Among all Ontario colleges, Boréal has the highest student satisfaction rate, graduation rate and graduate satisfaction rate in the province. Moreover, at 96%, Boréal ranks 3rd in the province for employer satisfaction!

Filed under: Local News