More than half of students in Quebec are vulnerable to a depressive state.
College and University Students in Quebec Struggling with Mental Health
A recent survey among students in Quebec colleges and universities has revealed some concerning findings. Over 40% of students were at risk of having a major depressive episode and over 40% were at risk of having generalized anxiety disorder during the time of the survey. These results are based on the frequency of symptoms reported by the respondents.
The survey, conducted by the Observatory on Mental Health in Higher Education, aimed to get an understanding of the mental health of Quebec students and the factors influencing it. The organization is funded by Quebec as part of the 2021-2026 Action Plan on Mental Health in Higher Education.
Benjamin Gallais, co-director of the Observatory and scientific director of the survey, said more analyses will need to be done to explain these high rates of anxiety and depression. A full report will be published this fall.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of students with generalized anxiety disorder or a major depressive episode skyrocketed. "But these rates have not necessarily decreased significantly since the health crisis," said Mr. Gallais.
He hypothesizes that young adults are currently facing "a certain number of trials." Among them, he mentions the rise in the cost of living, which may cause anxiety among students. "When you're a student, you can't work full-time. Almost all the hours worked to earn money are just to make ends meet," he adds.
The survey also revealed that feeling isolated is linked to anxious and depressive symptoms, while having a sense of belonging to one's community seems to be associated with "better mental health." Nearly three in ten Quebec students have flourishing mental health, meaning an optimal level of emotional well-being and good psychological and social functioning. This rate is higher than the rate of students with languishing mental health, meaning a low level of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and a feeling of emptiness and stagnation.
Benjamin Gallais' team is preparing a mental health profile for each institution that participated in the survey. However, mental health depends on a multitude of factors, both familial, individual, and relational, warns Mr. Gallais.
"Even if an institution implements various initiatives to increase student well-being, and we see that a large part of the population has developed good mental health, there will still be individuals who are not doing well."
A second survey on the mental health of college and university students is planned for the fall of 2026.
For help with your mental health or that of a loved one, don't hesitate to contact the Info-Social 811 service. Don't hesitate to call the Quebec Suicide Prevention Line as well: 1 866 APPELLE (1 866 277-3553).
According to the preliminary results of the survey, potential factors that influence the mental health of students include academic pressures, systemic gaps, post-pandemic effects, and cultural shifts. To address these challenges, initiatives like cross-sector collaboration, holistic support systems, policy frameworks, and targeted interventions are being implemented.
To read also:
- Mental health of students at the heart of a Quebec-funded survey
- More mental health issues among young Quebecers
Sources:
- Action Plan for Student Mental Health, Quebec Government, 2021-2026
- Declining enrollment in non-urban colleges, Quebec Postsecondary Education Research Institute, 2022
- Student Mental Health Framework, Quebec Government, 2021
- Canadian Mental Health Association report on campus mental health initiatives
- BMJ analysis of global trends in university student mental health during COVID-19
- Despite the French-speaking Quebec student population showing a higher than average risk of both generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive episodes, a small but significant number of students still manage to maintain flourishing mental health.
- The Observatory on Mental Health in Higher Education, a scientific organization funded by Quebec, is conducting further analyses to better understand the cause of such high rates of anxiety and depression among students.
- In addition to academic pressures, systemic gaps, and the effects of the pandemic, cultural shifts could also be influencing the mental health of these Quebec students, necessitating cross-sector collaboration, holistic support systems, and targeted interventions.
- When facing mental health concerns, it is advisable for Quebecers to contact the Info-Social 811 service or the Quebec Suicide Prevention Line (1 866 APPELLE) for help and guidance.
