A new survey aims to enhance mental health services and supports at Brock.

The Healthy Minds Study is an international survey of student mental health that was first conducted in 2007 and is coming to Brock for the first time this year.

Thanks to a partnership between Brock’s Institutional Analysis and Planning, and Student Wellness and Accessibility Services teams, the 20-minute survey will be available to all Brock students via their student email account during the week of March 11 and must be submitted by Friday, April 5.

Julie Fennell, Brock’s Health Promotion Educator, says the survey will provide insight into how the University can improve its mental health services.

“If we know more about students’ mental health, it helps to inform what type of services they want, when they want them and how they feel about our current services,” she said.

The survey will ask students about topics including accessing on-campus mental health services, developing positive mental health practices and implementing coping strategies.

To ensure confidentiality, Mary Jasinski, Senior Institutional Analyst, says strict protocols are followed when implementing surveys.

“We use a population file to contact students that is done in a way to protect their privacy,” she said. “ And if there is private information shared, it is done under a strict confidentiality agreement.”

Aside from enhancing Brock’s already robust mental health resources, the survey also offers prizes, including a $250 Amazon gift card, four $20 Campus Store gift cards and 30 $15 McDonald’s gift cards, to be randomly distributed to participants.

Fennell says student participation represents a way for her team to learn about mental health with no preconceived criteria.

“There is no set agenda,” she said. “We are hoping to find out all sorts of new things so that we can set new goals and develop further program content to best serve our students.”

More information about the survey can be found on the Healthy Minds website.

To learn more about the many mental health initiatives at Brock, visit brockmentalhealth.ca or brocku.ca/swac

Students in need of immediate, 24-hour assistance can call Counselling Services at 1-833-276-2533 or the Good 2 Talk Hotline.