Suicide

A Sobering Look at University Mental Health

A Sobering Look at University Mental Health

Riley Lynch, a fourth year physics student at the University of Guelph, a lover of the universe and nature, died by suicide on January 19 (Goffin, 2017). According to the recent article in The Star, this is the fourth suicide at the University of Guelph since September 2016 – the highest number seen in any academic year (Goffin, 2017).

Although counselling, anonymous peer support/crisis lines, therapy, and psychiatrists are available at the school to address students’ issues, the demand is higher than the supply. In addition, short-term issues such as breakups are focused on, as opposed to chronic or complex mental health issues that require ongoing and intensive care (Goffin, 2017). Students are at a vulnerable point in their life, due to many being away from home, often being the age when they are cut off from adolescent mental health services (Goffin, 2017). 

Connect, Communicate, Care: World Suicide Prevention Day 2016

Connect, Communicate, Care: World Suicide Prevention Day 2016

September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an initiative organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. The World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people die by suicide each year. That's equivalent to one person every 40 seconds. In Canada, the latest figures tell us that 3,926 Canadians took their own life (data from Statistics Canada, 2012). 

Your Lunchtime Drink May Be Linked to Depression

Your Lunchtime Drink May Be Linked to Depression

What did you have for lunch today? Did it include a fizzy, sweet, mildly addictive liquid, such as pop? While looking around the park during my lunch break, I have recently noticed the large number of people that have a pop to accompany their meals. Sweetened beverages like pop are the most consumed non-alcoholic beverages around the world.