Application of an Integrated Framework:A reflective praxis for addressing student mental health

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

By Dawn Shickluna, PhD, RP and Suzanne Zook-Johnston, DMFT, RPStudent Wellness & Accessibility Centre

Statistics

In a 2016 survey of Canadian post secondary students – 46% reported feeling too depressed to fully function and 65% reported overwhelming anxiety.

49.9% of 773 Brock University students surveyed in our campus wide Healthy Minds Study (March, 2019) reported experiencing symptoms of at least one significant mental health problem (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, or eating disorders)

A worldwide study by Youngminds (Aug, 2020) reports that 83%of post-secondary respondents agreed that the pandemic has worsened their mental health condition.

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations 2020 survey indicated over 70% of students felt stressed, anxious, or isolated due to the pandemic; 82% worry about their future.

Theoretical Framework

Increased

Well being

Developing Resilience

Assessing and

ReflectingReaching

out for support

AMALGAM

Trauma-Informed

Growth

Mindset

Stepped

Care

Maslow’s

Hierarchy

Of Needs

Clinical Application I

Self Assessment

PracticeSelf Reflection

Building a

Growth Mindset

Workshops, Webinarsand

Individual Therapy

Workshops and

Webinars

SITUATION Fixed MindsetGrowth

Mindset

Symptoms of Distress

Causes of Stress

Habits

ChangeSkills

Attending Classes

Positive coping strategies

Feeling Better

Individual TherapyTools and Practice Worksheets

• Self Assessments

• Personal Reflection

• Situational Tracker

• Daily Progressive Reflection Plan

• Trigger Worksheet

© On Purpose Education

Feeling fulfilled, Living life at

fullest potenial

Taking care of whole self, safety, healthy relationships and

connection, meeting life and school demands, coping effectively

Improved sleep, balanced eating, exercise, accessing supports, increased social engagement, falling behind in courses, increased self-awareness,

decreased self-criticism/judgements, basic needs are met

Sleeping difficulties, feeling unsafe, imbalanced eating, lack of exercise, addictions, isolation,

interpersonal difficulties, failing classes, unmet basic needs

© On Purpose Education

Brock SWAC Student Self Assessment

Social Relations

EXPAND

GROWDEVELOP

your full potential

WORK your planFOCUS on what's working

ACKNOWLEDGE accomplishments

BUILD CONSISTENCY PLAN and work a plan for change.

REDUCE EMOTIONAL REACTIVITY Focus on something good, remember a time you overcame a challenge & talk

encouragingly to yourself TAKE ACTION Choose to do an activity (enjoyable,

meaningful, social, physical or productive) STOP BREATHE Breathe from your lower belly

CALL FOR HELP Reach out to someone for support

Brock SWAC Student Skills and Tools

© On Purpose Education

Bell Let's Talk,

Life-long learning,Volunteering

Wellness Week, Thrive Week, Health Promotion Services,The

Zone, Campus Clubs

Personal Counselling, FITA, DBT & CBT Groups, Sexual Violence Survivors Group, A-Z Learning,

Hub, HRE, SAS, Faith and Life Centre, Int. Centre, Multicultural Centre, Rainbow Niagara,

Therapist assisted e-counsellingPhysician, Personal Counselling Urgent Support, Campus

Security, Long-term Specialized Counselling, Mental Health Nurse, Student Life, Sexual Violence Support, CARE team,

CASON, 1-833-BROCK-33, 24 Hour Good 2 Talk, Access Line, CMHA, Hospital Emergency Department

© On Purpose Education

Brock SWAC Student Support Guide

Growth Mindset Progressive Tracking Sheet“you can cultivate (a Growth Mindset) through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others.” – Carol Dweck

Rating level of effort towards shifting your mind-set:0 – None1 – Minimal2 – Some3 – A lot

Rating Scale for Skills Used:0 – Did not think about skills1 – Thought about skills, but did not use them2 – Attempted to use skills, but stopped after a short period of time3 – Gave skills a fair try4 – Used the skills, helped

DateGrowth VS Fixed

What is your primary mindset today?

Identify Triggers HOOK

Yes/No

MindfulThinking Emotions

Body

Growth Mindset

Skills 0-5

Comments/Thoughts

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Practice/ Strategies Guide & Day of the Week ChecklistSkill Brief Description M T W Th F Sat Sun

SELF-CARE

Being active Mood walking, mindful exercise notice what is in your body, mindful breathing, yoga,

Mindful eating Balanced eating, appreciating food, listening hunger cues, eating slowly

Building Connections Chatting with others, reaching out, calling a friend/family member

Balanced sleep Bedtime routine, going to bed at a consistent time, sleep/meditation app

Be kind to oneself and practice positive self-talk Practice self-compassion, acknowledge feelings and thoughts with no judging, focus on the progress and cheer yourself on

Building RESILIENCE

Building gratitude awareness Experience thankfulness andappreciation

Bring to mind something/someone for which you feel grateful, generate a list of people who have been helpful to you, gratitude journal before bed or upon waking up in morning

Stay Connected to others & self

On-line Live chat, Zoom, Facetime, telephone, House Party app, Google Hangouts, Friender app,

Reward Yourself Notice your progress (even if it’s minor), celebrate it with a break, self-care, positive thoughts/praise, sit outside in the sunshine/nature

Rational Self-Talk Challenge irrational thinking, excuses, unrealistic expectations

Recognize patterns/barriers Write down what’s stopping you, what you are doing instead, and times when you are productive and what worked

Supports and Services

Campus and Community Personal counselling, Bounce Back, Good to Talk, COAST, Distress Centre Niagara

Medical/ Health care professionals Medical Doctor, Alternative medicine (chiropractor, naturopath), mental health therapist, addiction specialist,

ENVIRONMENT

Safety/ security Adequate housing, finances, food/water, call a “safe” person, safe place or guided imagery visualization

Create a “happy” space Favourite blanket, pictures, memories of times when you felt good, essential oils

Hang positive affirmations on the walls Alternative thoughts, strengths, positive attributes, talents, inspirational quotes, create a board on Pinterest, follow inspirational leaders on Instagram

Self compassion Comfortable blankets, pillows, candles, loving-kindness meditation

CollaborativelyAcross Disciplines

Personal Counselling

Team and SHS

CCEE, CPI

International Centre

Brock Students

CICMH

CAUCUS

References • American College Health Association. (2016). National College Health

Assessment II: Ontario Canada Reference Group. Maryland: American College Health Association Publishing

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

• Dweck, C (2016). Growth Mindset. Baltimore Books Trade Paperback edition.

• Famous People who suffer Anxiety. https://visme.co/blog/amazing-leaders-who-once-had-crippling-stage-fright-and-how-they-overcame-it/#bmU3gBhAyikyVsmf.99

• Grubic, N., Badovinac, S., & Johri, A. M. (2020). Student mental health in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for further research and immediate solutions. The International journal of social psychiatry, 66(5), 517–518. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020925108

• Hope, D., Heimberg, R., Turk, C. (2010). Managing Social Anxiety: A cognitive behavioural approach (2nd ed). New York: Oxford University Press

• Korb, A. (2015). Upward Spiral. New Harbinger Publications Inc.

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Brock UniversityStudent Wellness and Accessibility Centre

Dawn Shickluna, PhD, RP

Outreach/Stakeholder Relationships

Student Wellness & Accessibility

Brock University

dshickluna@brocku.ca

Suzanne Zook-Johnston, DMFT, RP

Counsellor

Student Wellness & Accessibility

Brock University

szookjohnston@brocku.ca