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This article was published 23/02/2022 (471 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The pandemic has been tough for students and their mental health, leading one Manitoba college to develop a training program to empower them.

The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) is implementing a free mental health literacy program, called More Feet on the Ground, for its students. MITT is the first post-secondary institution in Manitoba to offer the online training.

The free online mental health resource teaches students how to support classmates who may be facing mental health challenges, stated a news release. More Feet on the Ground teaches four key skills: recognize signs that someone may be experiencing mental health concerns; respond appropriately to someone who needs support (based on your relationship with them and the signs present); refer someone to mental health supports and services in an appropriate way; reflect after interacting with someone who may be distressed or upset.

The program consists of a live online workshop and includes breakout/group discussions. Students who complete the content and live workshop receive a certificate.

The workshop provides a safe space for students to discuss mental health, stated Kayla Hoskins, accessibility student adviser at MITT and a facilitator of the More Feet on the Ground workshop.

“This workshop brings together a diverse set of students, who have varying ideas and experiences around mental health and how they share their feelings with others,” Hoskins said.

Some of these students, she added, have never spoken openly with others about mental health. This program brings students together, provides a safe space to discuss their understanding of mental health and stigma and gives them a common language to share, discuss and understand this complex issue.

The program has helped many international students deal with the rigours of moving to Canada for their studies.

“I dealt with homesickness and mental stress when I moved from India as an international student. This training has been very helpful,” said Harwinder Kaur, a student in the post-graduate diploma program in human resources learning and development. “It’s helped me to understand positive mental health, how to recognize the signs if any of my friends are facing mental stress and has given me the tools to respond appropriately to someone who needs support.”

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