Ryerson University launches new mental health program

Ryerson University has launched a new program help promote and protect the mental well being of its students.

“We all want to feel good, we wanna feel like we’re proud of ourselves, we wanna feel that we’re capable, we want to feel that we can reach our goals,” psychologist Diana Brecher, who leads the new program, told a news conference at the School of Journalism Wednesday.

According to Brecher, ThriveRU targets students doing just OK by using positive psychology to help them flourish.

Positive psychology is based on the idea that people want to live meaningful, successful lives and want to become the best person they can be.

“I really want to help people never have to come to counseling service,” Brecher said. “This isn’t about necessarily going for counseling or treatment, this is about keeping you doing pretty well and doing much better.”

Suicide is among the leading cause of death in 15-25 year old Canadians, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Rajeeha Siddiqui, an executive member of a student-run mental awareness group on campus, suffered from an eating disorder and said getting involved with a program like ThriveRU early could have helped.

“When you’re with a psychiatrist or, you know, a counselor you feel like you’re the only person going through this,” Siddiqui said. “But in a group, you’re able to see them and meet people who are going through the same thing as you.”

First-year interior design student Emily-Anne Hoftyzer said stopping mental illness in its tracks is key.

“I think it’s a really good idea to be proactive like this program is doing,” Hoftyzer said. “Otherwise, you have to catch up afterwards with the mess a problem could cause rather than just fixing it before hand.”

Hoftyzer said she has never personally suffered from a mental illness but has friends who have.

Christian Catenacci, a business management student, also has a friend struggling with depression and said even bringing up the topic of mental health is a step in the right direction.

“People just push it aside when it’s actually a serious, serious, serious issue,” Catenacci said. “There should be no one who’s afraid to seek help when they’re struggling with mental illness.”

ThriveRU is currently working with student affairs to implement the program in already existing wellness groups on campus.

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