Red River College adds digital option to student mental health services

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On the same day former NHLer Jordin Tootoo spoke at Red River College about addiction, mental health and suicide prevention the school announced a new program to support students.

The college is now offering students free access to a digital mental health therapy service called Beacon.

Students can access Beacon anywhere, anytime, from their digital devices. They can contact their therapist whenever they need to while working at their own pace.

“Across the country, colleges and universities are seeing an increase in students who have difficulty developing and maintaining good mental health, who enter their studies with pre-existing mental illnesses, or who experience their first episode of mental illness during their time as students,” said Red River College president and CEO Darin Brecht in a release.

Red River College is in no way different. In the last five years alone, counselling and accessibility services have noted a 50% increase of students registering for services with an identified mental health concern. We’re partnering with Beacon because they understand how hard it can be for college students to access mental health resources, and they’ve found an innovative and accessible solution to removing those barriers.”

Tootoo’s visit is part of RRC’s college-wide mental health strategy, Healthy Minds Healthy College, which was established five years ago to foster mental health and enhance mental health literacy at the College.

The 15-year NHL veteran said the need for mental health supports is urgent.

“It’s part of Canada that a lot of people struggle with mental health and addiction, suicide. These issues are a national epidemic,” said Tootoo.



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