In September 2024, Holland College will open a centre that will offer students and staff timely access to health and wellness support and services.
The Centre for Student Success and Wellness will be a centralized location for a range of services, including mental health supports, a health clinic, academic support services, and career and academic counselling. There will also be a focus on healthy living, emphasizing the importance of sleep, diet, exercise, and social interaction.
“We want to provide an integrated, supportive environment so our students can grow in our community and lead healthy, empowered, and productive lives,” says Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, Holland College President. “We also want to ensure that our staff and their families have access to the appropriate health and wellness supports they require.
“If you come to work or learn at our college, we will have a unique approach to supporting your health needs, both physical and mental. We will also help our students achieve their academic needs. We want to ensure that our students develop the resilience that will help them thrive on entering the labour market.”
Planning for the centre began a couple of years ago when students and staff were surveyed on areas where they thought the college could improve. They also hired a local psychologist to help develop a treatment approach.
“At present, a significant number of our students do not have a family physician. It was clear that we needed services to supplement what is currently offered in the community. We also needed to offer these services in an integrated fashion in a more accessible manner. This, we feel, is in the best interest of our students and staff.”
“We have seen the need for our support services grow significantly over the past several years. As a first step towards meeting this escalating demand, in 2021, we hired a Nurse Practitioner. This past year we also hired a Registered Nurse as well as a Career Counsellor to help students make a successful transition to the labour market.”
The new centre will be housed in Charlottetown on the Prince of Wales Campus in a building that was formerly home to the college’s School of Performing Arts. The building will double in size by adding an extension and a third floor.
“One floor will house the academic support services that we currently offer. The second and third floors will focus on mental and physical health. We are currently in negotiations with Health PEI to jointly offer healthcare for our students and staff.”
The Holland College President says students and staff at campuses across the Island will be able to access the centre’s services.
“We will be using the latest e-health technology to reach those in need at our campuses in Georgetown, Alberton and Summerside. As well, staff will travel to each location to help enhance the services they have now.”
“We know that students often face more than one challenge, so services must be integrated to address all areas of their lives.”
In addition to offering support for immediate issues, the college hopes to create a holistic environment where students can learn about long-term health and wellness determinants such as the importance of sleep, financial management, proper diet and exercise, and social interaction.
“Our goal, in part, is to equip our students with tools to deal with these challenges so they can complete their studies, and also learn how to deal with those challenges once they are out of school and in the workforce.”
For college staff, the centre will offer immediate support in areas such as physical health and mental health including stress, anxiety, burnout and more.
“We want to support our staff in an environment where they feel most comfortable. They won’t have to go very far to receive support, and it will be offered in the context of the college. This will help us attract and retain staff and ensure that they have a healthy work-life balance.”
The expansion is expected to cost $5.9 million. The provincial government has committed $2.4 million toward the capital cost of the project, with the remaining funds to be provided by the college through external fundraising. The Holland College Foundation through the Thrive Campaign has a goal of raising $2.5 million. The money raised will also help supplement bursaries and awards for students living with learning disabilities or mental health issues.
“Providing students with resources to support their mental health is key for a positive experience while they continue their post-secondary education,” says Natalie Jameson, Minister of Education and Early Years. “The Government of PEI is committed to providing the necessary tools for students to have a bright future of learning, creating, and accomplishing their goals.”
“Our foundation board is an amazing group of individuals who have done a remarkable job of soliciting support from potential sponsors and supporters,” says the Holland College President. “We still have several months left, but it is safe to say this fundraising project, thus far, has been a success and has gone the way we hoped it would.”
“By establishing this centre and these services, we are confident our graduates will develop the resilience they need to thrive post graduation, and our staff will find the support they need to create a healthy, innovative learning environment.”
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