Tag:

mental health

Amid worsening mental health, students are anxious to return to in-person classes

by Akanksha Dhingra December 3, 2021

written by Akanksha Dhingra

A Canadian Mental Health Association report makes the point that mental health-care needs that existed before the pandemic remain unmet and that the pandemic has worsened the situation. (Anh Nguyen/Unsplash)

Vrinda Satikuwar is nearing the end of her post-graduate diploma in international business management at Seneca College — a diploma she’s completed almost entirely online.

The prospect of returning in-person come January?

“I don’t really know what happens when I enter my class for the first time,” Satikuwar said. “What if no one likes me and I am unable to adjust with the crowd?”

As an international student, Satikuwar has no family in Canada. She is currently living in Toronto and the prospect of going back to school, during such a time of upheaval, is — to put it mildly — “uncomfortable.”

“I wanted to reach out to someone to get support, but no mental health service was affordable enough for me,” said Satikuwar. “I have hope that at least my school will have some services I could use, maybe cheaper counselling options.”

COVID-19 has and continues to have an unparalleled impact on Canadian students. This points to the issue post-secondary institutions are going to have to deal with as they welcome back a population of students who have suffered during the pandemic and whose mental health needs may have skyrocketed.

A Canadian Mental Health Association report makes the point that mental health care needs that existed before the pandemic remain unmet and that the pandemic has worsened the situation. An Angus Reid poll one month into the pandemic revealed that 50 per cent of Canadians felt COVID-19 had worsened their mental health — 10 per cent said it was by “a lot.”

Youth between the ages of 15 and 24 have experienced the greatest decline in mental health after the pandemic, according to Statistics Canada. Factors like unemployment, poor finances and loneliness are major factors. That’s led to a 20 per cent point drop in the number of Canadians who say they’re in excellent or very good mental health. In 2019, 60 per cent of Canadians had strong mental health, but by July 2020 only 40 per cent still felt that way.

It only appears to have gotten worse. By April 2021, new Angus Reid polling found one-third of Canadians say their mental health “is poor or terrible.”

“I was never this anxious before,” said Parth Patel, a fourth-year computer science student at Ryerson University, who worries now about talking to people in person.

“Getting back to in-person university is giving me the same anxiety it did when I was a kid,” Patel said.

Some Canadian universities are now stepping up and taking action, addressing the arising mental health issues for their students.

The University of Calgary is building on its mental health strategy to provide resources and support to its staff and students. This includes raising awareness and promoting well-being, developing resilience, aligning university policies, process, procedures and more.

The Université de Montréal (UdeM) and its federation of student associations launched a campaign to raise awareness on the importance of mental health. The university is working on providing online resources and counselling to students in hopes of reducing the waiting lists for in-person mental health services, according to its website.

Meanwhile, UdeM student life services also signed a three-year contract with HALEO Clinic, a centre of clinical expertise in virtual sleep. HALEO promises to help improve the health of students and promote their academic success.

Ryerson University has taken steps to put focus on their staff and students’ well-being. The university has introduced virtual yoga, meditation, online counselling and more tips and resources to promote care for each other amid the crisis situation, as per the Ryerson website.

Despite universities’ efforts, students are still struggling.

Anushruti Singh, an international student at Algonquin College, said that young people are stuck at home feeling helpless, all while navigating employment issues and attending online school.

“When I go back to in-person school, I would want a caring community,” Singh said. “A school where my mental health is supported and understood,.”

York University student Bawa Singh is nervous about his return.

“My mental health has not been the best while studying from home,” he said. “I have always been an introvert, but after lockdown [the idea of] talking to someone in person makes me anxious.”

The lasting impact is likely going to be bigger and longer than people imagine. In its 2021 Vital Signs report, the Toronto Foundation warns of “alarming increases in mental health challenges” for youth over the past two years.

Naeem Ladak, a fourth-year business management student at Ryerson University, said he doesn’t think any of his peers realized that “being young would be that tough.” He worries about juggling his grades, his social life and his budget. Poor mental health is the cloud that’s always hovering.

“Bad mental health makes everything worse,” he said.

Anushruti agrees. “Everyone expects you to have fun and make the best of it in your 20s, but no one realizes how much mental pressure it brings,” she said.

“It’s a high possibility that a new phase of social anxiety is developing amongst the people,” said Ryerson alumnus Jonathan Friedman, who co-founded The Journal That Talks Back. The startup offers 24-7 online support for members, pairing them with a certified coach trained to address personal difficulties — everything from mental wellness concerns to financial struggles and goal-setting.

There’s a lot for students to grapple with, Friedman said: they feel constantly beat up, have anxiety disorders and depression, and have been forced to self-isolate throughout much of the pandemic.

“It’s like a mental health storm,” he said.

December 3, 2021

Health Opinion Top Top stories

How the weather could be affecting your mood

by Claudia Latino November 25, 2021

written by Claudia Latino

On average, approximately two to three per cent of Canadians experience seasonal affective disorder in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (Anh Nguyen/Unsplash)

As the colours of the leaves start to change and the sky starts to look more grey, you may notice your mood isn’t as bright as it was in the sunny summer months.

When the beginning of October hit and the weather was starting to change, I noticed my mood was starting to change with it.

I kept asking myself questions — why am I feeling more sad than usual? What is wrong with me? Am I depressed?

It felt as if the world was against me. I noticed myself sleeping more yet still feeling like I had no energy.

I thought maybe the cause of my low energy was because I am a student with a part time job. But as I was reflecting on my feelings, being a student and learning new things made me happy.

Plus I enjoy where I work, and taking on part time hours during the spring and summer months don’t feel as draining.

So, my feelings of sadness couldn’t be because of that. If I wasn’t feeling this way in the summer, what changed all of a sudden?

When the weather was warm and the sun was shining everyday, I was genuinely happier. Of course I would have days when I experienced sadness, but overall, I had more energy and couldn’t wait to start my day.

Now that the weather is cooler, days feel shorter, and the sunshine doesn’t feel as bright , I feel like I’m about to burst into tears every day.

I decided to do a quick Google search. Perhaps the internet could help me figure out why I was feeling extremely down during this time.

A bunch of websites popped up that all had the same title: seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Seasonal affective disorder, known more commonly as seasonal depression, is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons.

It starts and ends around the same time every year, according to Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Services.

Approximately two to three per cent of Canadians experience some form of SAD during their lifetime, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

However, SAD doesn’t always occur when the weather turns colder, according to Mayo Clinic.

Although it is less common to feel increasingly sad when the sun is shining and the weather starts to feel warm, it is still another form of seasonal depression that people can experience.

However, SAD in the colder months is more evident because of reduced sunlight, according to Dr. Khush Amaria, clinical psychologist and senior clinical director at MindBeacon.

“During the day, your brain sends signals to other parts of the body to help keep you awake and ready for action. At night, a tiny gland in the brain produces melatonin, which helps you sleep,” said Amaria. “Shortened daylight hours in winter can alter this natural rhythm, trigger a chemical change in the brain and can lead to SAD in certain people.”

SAD greatly affects productivity levels during the fall and winter months, which is especially hindering for full-time students.

“Usually at this time of year, the days are shorter and darker. The weather tends to be dull which definitely has a negative impact on my mood,” said Georgia Martin, a third-year biomedical student at the University of Toronto.

Symptoms of seasonal depression vary among those who experience it.

Feelings of hopelessness, excessive worry or guilt, low energy levels, and even a loss of interest in things you typically enjoy are just a few of the symptoms that can come with SAD.

According to Mayo Clinic, the reduced level of daylight in the fall and winter months can disrupt your body’s circadian rhythm, increasing feelings of sadness.

Less sunlight also causes serotonin levels in the brain to drop, triggering seasonal depression.

Being a student, especially in the fall and winter months, can be hard for those who do struggle with seasonal depression.

Amaria encourages students to incorporate healthy habits like exercise and a regular sleep schedule during this time of year. She adds that light therapy has been proven to work for those who suffer from seasonal depression.

“You can purchase lamps that emit around 10,000 lux of light, higher than what you get from your average fixtures at home,” said Amaria. “These lamps mimic the extra hours of sunlight we get during the spring and summer, which could make you feel as if you’ve just been outside during a warm summer day.”

I try to do things I enjoy during my spare time that allow me to forget about the weather changing.

Whether that is playing video games, spending time with family and friends, or even reading a book with a cup of tea, it’s the small things that instantly brighten my mood.

If you notice that you experience feelings of sadness more often when the season starts to change, whether it be during the cold or warmer months, know that it is normal.

There are many resources available to help you get through seasonal depression such as online resources, school counsellors or your own familial support system, and it’s a reminder that you don’t have to go at this alone.

“For other students who are struggling, I would say that although it feels like you are alone in your struggles, there are always other people going through the same thing,” said Martin. “The most important thing is to talk about your feelings and to recognize and validate them.”

November 25, 2021

Features Health Science & Technology Students Top Top stories

The contradiction that is social media puts into question whether its benefits outweigh its drawbacks

by Stephanie Leonardelli November 25, 2021

written by Stephanie Leonardelli

Anybody can access Civic Tech Toronto’s weekly Hacknight through the organization’s Facebook.

Every Tuesday the diverse community of Torontonians meets virtually to share stories and find solutions to civic challenges through technology and design.

One particular Tuesday, a guest lecturer was invited to discuss universal basic income. At the meeting start time, community members rolled in and joined a sea of dark screens waiting for the presentation to commence.

A voice unmutes and the guest speaker is introduced.

Before the presentation could get underway, an unknown, unwanted guest enters the Zoom meeting. No one anticipated what was about to happen next.

Profanity and a combination of speech and laughter echo through headphones and across computer screens. The mystery person gained full control of the meeting.

What was supposed to be a socially impactful discussion turned into a threatening intrusion.

“That was a really pivotal moment for us… It really forced us to reexamine our code of conduct and how we invite people into our conversations,” said Skaidra Puodžiūnas, the co-organizer of Civic Tech Toronto.

Isn’t it ironic? A social media platform that is utilized to spread information, share ideas and build community is the same vehicle that invited hate, sparked fear and made people feel unsafe.

This is the contradiction that is social media.

Social media was originally created with a simple purpose: to help users connect digitally while physically apart. Somewhere along the way the purpose evolved and, instead of using social platforms as a means of gaining exposure, the virtual universe has seemingly left people feeling exposed.

In the recent instance with James Herbert Brock, social media saved the life of the 16-year-old girl he was holding captive.

After being reported missing by her parents, distress hand signals made popular by TikTok alerted another driver and aided sheriff’s deputies in Kentucky to stop the car and arrest the abductor.

But, it was also social media that resulted in her abductor obtaining photos he wasn’t meant to see.

The man who abducted her had possession of pictures that portrayed her in a sexual manner. Technology, specifically social media, has propelled the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. According to the FBI, over a quarter of all reported exploitation incidents involve an online predator asking a child for sexually explicit photos. This reality, coupled with sexual predators’ ability to find and locate targets via social platforms with ease, has driven a frightening increase in the sheer number of these types of incidents.

Once again, the social media platforms that seem to be “saving us” – in this case, TikTok – are the same channels putting us in harm’s way. “While [social media] is an incredible place to build community, you just don’t really know who you are engaging with,” says Puodžiūnas.

She explains the reality of digital identities: “The platforms just accept anyone and everyone. It takes you five seconds to create a Reddit profile, or an online dating profile, or a Facebook profile. There’s no accountability,” says the senior digital advisor with Ontario Digital Service.

With the expansion of the internet and social networking sites, there are an estimated 3.8 billion social media users worldwide, and roughly half of the 3.7 hours spent on our mobile devices each day is consumed by social and communications apps.

According to Statistics Canada, social media is regularly used by approximately 90 per cent of Canadians aged 15 to 34. In 2018, the Canadian Internet Use Survey examined the reports of negative effects individuals aged 15 to 64 experience as a result of social networking; some of the most concerning outcomes existed among those in their teens and twenties.

Graphic of the negative outcomes that social media has on young people. (Stephanie Leonardelli/On The Record)

But the negative effects go beyond the increased number of sexual predators or the effects these platforms have on the mental health of users. Social media has created “an echo chamber effect,” says Robert Clapperton, Ryerson’s digital enterprise and communication research method professor.

“The worst parts of social media are what actually make it work,” he says. He explains how the algorithmic basis of how things are accomplished over social media continue to silo people into their own bubbles: “It doesn’t allow for a diversity in opinions.”

While social media platforms have been praised for providing direct access to an unprecedented amount of content, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) conducted research on how these platforms influence information spreading and the echo chamber effect on social media.

According to PNAS, an echo chamber is an online environment in which users’ opinions get reinforced by interacting with like-minded sources. The environment tends to widen ideological divisions and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

The academy’s research found that different platforms foster different levels of segregation in online communities depending on the platform’s feed algorithms and their social networking features.

“Technology is supposed to give us immediate access to whatever we want to know, but that has now made us more blind to what is actually going on,” says e-commerce business owner, Genevieve Vendittelli. She explains how we simply will not hear about it “if it doesn’t fit in our ‘belief system algorithm’ encoded onto our phones.”

While these sorts of algorithms increase polarization, the research concluded that when polarization is high, misinformation quickly proliferates.

Yet again, one of social media’s greatest assets — the power of spreading information — is also its greatest weakness.

So, the question becomes: with all these contradictions, do the benefits of social media outweigh the drawbacks?

For Vendittelli, the answer is simple: “While it varies from user to user, the benefits I get out of social media outweigh the drawbacks because of my awareness. Social media, for me, is whatever you make it to be.”

Vendittelli explains how she uses social media to get inspired, reach new audiences and create relationships with other brands. “On a business level, it provides great metrics about our target market, what content they want to see, and when they want to see it.”

While she has fallen victim to triggering posts before, she says the key to breaking free was to “have enough self-awareness to not be so consumed by what you’re consuming. You have the power to mute content on your feed, unfollow people you don’t gain value from [and] set limits to reduce your daily usage.”

She emphasizes that “it’s the end-receiver of the content’s responsibility to choose what they consume… If you’re going to let those triggering posts get the best of you, then yes, the drawbacks definitely outweigh the positives.”

Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has not officially identified social media addiction as diagnosable, it does not change the reality that unhealthy usage can cause distress and negatively affect people’s lives.

Ryerson biomedical science student, Marisa Chiaravalloti, used the example of Snapchat streaks – the number of consecutive days two people have been sending Snapchats to each other – to highlight how social media can become unhealthy.

She explained how, in high school, she would keep ‘streaks’ with people but eventually realized that she was sending snaps to people she hardly spoke with anymore. “I was just doing it for the sake of having a number on my phone,” said Chiaravalloti. “It gives everyone this false narrative of being connected.”

Though Chiaravalloti sees the benefits that exist on social media for businesses, she ultimately says the negative emotional effects these platforms have on people are not offset by the rewards: “It’s close, but I think it does more bad than good.”

For Ryerson alumna and registered dietitian, Cristina Cappucci, the answer isn’t as clear-cut. “Perhaps it’s quite equal – the drawbacks of social media could be very, very severe, but the benefits could be very, very amazing and life changing.”

As an anti-diet dietitian that started her business amidst a pandemic, Cappucci says social media has allowed her to achieve “reach” without boundaries.

“It’s amazing to be able to change so many people’s lives without meeting them,” she said. “I have had people who are clients and people who aren’t clients message me and tell me how my social media presence has helped them feel better about food and their body image.”

But she points out that when somebody is new to social media, the experience can “start off negative if the algorithm starts putting [people] down that rabbit hole.”

In the health and nutrition industry in particular, social media can be very contradictory: “I have clients who are following me and my account where I talk about making peace with food, but [at the same time] are also following influencers who are body-shaming.”

While the answer is clearly subjective as to whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, Puodžiūnas believes that we have an opportunity to rethink the role social media plays in our day-to-day lives. “It’s hard to imagine a life without social media. I don’t even know if we are at a point where we could not have [it] part of our lives.”

Correction: This article has been updated to remove the phrase “Nazi symbols.” The source said she used it in error when intending to refer to something else.

November 25, 2021

Record player, cell tower and waiting list exhibit

Arts & Life Audio COVID-19 Podcasts Visual Arts & Design

On the Record – Ep.4 – Can Toronto artists leverage the pandemic to make the industry more liveable?

by Rachael Masih, Naama Weingarten and Masih K November 24, 2021

written by Rachael Masih, Naama Weingarten and Masih K

Graphic by Masih K

When it comes to pandemic job loss, Canada’s arts industry was the hardest hit. Gallery closures, theatre shutdowns and limited work opportunities marked a turning point for the art scene. About 114, 400 artists lost their jobs in 2020. That’s a quarter of all the employees in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

The damage done by widespread unemployment still lingers almost two years later. A survey by ArtSCAPE reported that artists worry about having the money to pay rent and put food on the table. With an average monthly income of $2,000, artists need financial support to continue working in Toronto. Arts organizations work overtime to make sure that the arts community can keep enriching the lives of Toronto residents without taking such an excessive financial and emotional strain.

In this episode of On the Record, we speak to artists, arts workers and a mental health counsellor about the changing landscape of art in Toronto.

Key points

4:04 Emerging artists struggle to start careers mid-pandemic

9:00 How Artscape is helping artists find resources

11:23 Basic guaranteed income for artists

13:03 Mental health effects of the pandemic on artists

17:43 Building momentum with artist advocacy

Who we heard from in order of appearance

Amrita Chopra, artist who created The Waiting List installation

Deloris Chen, painter and illustrator

Hibah Mian, independent curator and founder of The Open Gallery

Claire Hopkinson, director and CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation

Thea Fitz-James, program manager of ArtsUNITE

Charmaine Johnson, career and mental health counsellor

Image Credits

The Open Gallery

See you next week, for another episode of On the Record.

November 24, 2021

Health Opinion Students Top Top stories

Snap out of it: A journey of undiagnosed ADHD

by Zehra Raza November 18, 2021

written by Zehra Raza

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with school.

While my academic performance was generally strong throughout elementary and high school, I found myself constantly struggling with productivity and focus.

In Grade 12, I remember sitting down at my desk to work on an essay for English class. Two hours later, I had written five sentences but reorganized my closet.

This wasn’t an isolated occurrence: Day after day, night after night, I couldn’t bring myself to complete basic tasks in a timely manner.

My inconsistent ability to focus and get work done led to me associating the concept of school with anxiety and uneasiness.

Despite the high marks and academic praise I got, I told myself that I didn’t deserve it since I was not diligent or disciplined enough to be considered a good student.

When I got a 90 per cent on that English essay, all I could think of was the fact that it took me two hours to write five sentences.

At first, I chalked it up to being a lazy teenager. That, at least, was an easy problem with an easy solution.

I tried whatever I could to build my attention span — concentration music, productivity journals, mindfulness exercises— the list is endless.

Nothing ever worked long enough for me to notice a substantial difference in my work ethic. Minor things turned into big distractions that started to take a toll on my self-esteem.

When I reached university, an inconsistent ability to focus and get work done led to me associating the concept of school with anxiety and uneasiness.

Eventually, I learned that I wasn’t dealing with typical school stress. I had been battling attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

But having gone undiagnosed for the majority of my education put me at a disadvantage when I got to university.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes differences in the brain relating to attention and activity levels, including hyperactivity and impulsivity, according to Medical News Today.

Symptoms often begin in early childhood and can follow a person into adolescence and adulthood, according to Mayo Clinic.

ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in children than adults. The British Journal of Psychiatry estimates that ADHD prevalence in adults 18-44 is at an average of 3.4 per cent worldwide.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee says undiagnosed ADHD can compromise a student’s ability to focus, complete tasks and succeed academically.

They may be more impulsive, disorganized, and experience intense emotions.

“None of these things are ‘bad,’ but, when they go untreated and/or unaccommodated, this can make it really hard to be successful with school,” said Alani-Verjee. “It may take students with ADHD longer to complete tasks, more complicated or multi-stepped projects may seem impossible to complete, and there is a higher likelihood of students forgetting deadlines and dates related to school.”

Mohammed Siddique, a second-year biology student, feels lucky to have received his diagnosis at the age of 10 after showing significant symptoms in elementary school.

Siddique says having his ADHD caught early had a positive impact on his poor experience of school, as well as his poor performance.

His school was able to make adjustments to his education plan to accommodate his ADHD, which followed him into university.

“I’m really grateful that I didn’t have to spend years hating school just because I had an undiagnosed condition,” said Siddique.

Alani-Verjee stresses the importance of academic accommodations for those with ADHD, such as extra time on tests and assignments, access to class notes and lecture recordings, and an accessibility adviser who can help them break down larger tasks so they do not seem as insurmountable.

“While students without ADHD are still likely to get distracted, and have difficulty getting complex projects done, the ways in which this impairs a student with ADHD is significantly different than for a student without ADHD,” says Alani-Verjee. “When a student with ADHD has access to accommodations, this can allow them better opportunities to be successful.”

Siddique is one of the 7.2 per cent that get diagnosed as a child.

For people like myself who are diagnosed much later in life, those accommodations and preventive measures are not provided in school, and it can make it a more difficult environment to navigate.

In my third year of university, I felt like I had hit a breaking point.

I was entrenched in a university culture that glamourizes — sometimes even encourages — working non-stop to the point of exhaustion.

If you weren’t a part of several clubs, juggling an internship and a part-time job and spending countless hours every night reviewing class notes, you weren’t doing enough.

Without a proper diagnosis, life had become a nightmare.

University is already stressful enough, and when it felt like my productivity and determination was not as strong as my peers, I developed an inferiority complex and imposter syndrome.

All that pressure made me lose any motivation I had left, not only in school but in life.

After an emotional meeting with an undergraduate academic adviser, I decided that I wasn’t going to let these intrusive thoughts take over my life and I reached out for help.

But here in Ontario, adult ADHD assessments by psychologists can be costly — often ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 according to the Centre for ADHD Wellness, Canada.

I am fortunate enough to have health insurance that covered a portion of my assessment, but people who don’t have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket, which can be a deterrent and further delay diagnosis.

Alani-Verjee says that those who can’t afford an ADHD assessment out of pocket can take alternative steps to receive a diagnosis such as speaking to a family physician, although they may face trouble along the way.

“The tricky thing about that path is that family physicians may not have the experience in assessing ADHD, and may refer to a psychologist,” said Alani-Verjee. “The diagnosis from a family physician will also likely not be sufficient for accessing accommodations at the post-secondary level.”

However, according to Alani-Verjee, if a post-secondary student is eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program, it is possible that the cost (or majority of the cost) of an ADHD assessment will be covered.

She recommends students start by speaking to their school’s accessibility services office to learn more about this.

After weeks of appointments and psychological assessment, I was officially diagnosed.

Initially, it felt like every aspect of my life had just fallen back into place — or at least started to. However, it was not an easy trek from that point on.

While everything my doctor explained to me about the disorder and my behaviour started to make sense of my years of confusion, I learned that those years of struggling couldn’t be resolved overnight.

Receiving a diagnosis was only the first step. Treatment looks different for everyone.

Medicated stimulants, behavioural therapy and skills training have shown promise in people with ADHD, according to the CDC.

My journey to recovering has been one of trial and error with just as many highs as lows.

Once I learned that this disorder isn’t linear, I accepted the fact that ADHD is something I will face for the rest of my life, but that there will always be room for growth.

I’ve spent most of my life undiagnosed, so I’ve found it hard to have to suddenly learn how to cope with the disorder.

School as a person with ADHD is a different experience.

However, I’m continuously learning what helps me as a student and am proud of the progress I have made thus far.

Anyone struggling with ADHD, diagnosed or undiagnosed, please know that it does not make you a bad person or someone incapable of reaching their goals.

November 18, 2021

Health Opinion Students Top Top stories

Opinion: We took a hiatus from university and it wasn’t as scary as we thought

by Nadia Brophy and Severina Chu November 5, 2021

written by Nadia Brophy and Severina Chu

Let us set the scene: Imagine you are one year away from finishing your university degree.

You’ve started building your portfolio to enter your industry head-first, but something stops you; mental illness.

It’s a roadblock that many students face, as young people ages 15 to 24 are the cohort most likely to experience mental illness in Canada, according to Youth Mental Health Canada.

During the COVID era, 55 per cent of surveyed university students in Canada were concerned about their mental health arising from changes and challenges in the pandemic, according to a 2020 study from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations.

The pandemic has resulted in significant increases in mental health concerns due to social isolation and lockdowns, and the conversation around students taking time off has become prevalent.

Mental illness is something that can often sneak up on you and quickly throw you off your expected path on a regular day, let alone during a global pandemic.

As two focused university students that hit this roadblock in the 2020-21 school year — our final year — we’ve learned first-hand that there doesn’t have to be one standard way to complete your educational journey.

We are two friends who coincidentally hit this roadblock at the same time, and came together to navigate taking a hiatus from university at a critical point of our education.

Whether you need a semester or a year like we did, you’re allowed to interrupt your bachelor’s degree to take a break from it all.

That’s not to say it was always easy — the unpredictable ups and downs are a lot to take in, but we stuck with it because we knew we had to put ourselves first and that’s OK.

Here’s what we learned during our hiatus from university.

A break isn’t always a setback

A fear we both had in choosing to withdraw from our studies was that we would be a step behind all of our peers.

Existing in a culture that constantly emphasizes how students’ self-worth is equated with academic success means feeling that any interruption could ultimately lead to failure.

Having anxiety, for instance, takes a toll on time management, with procrastination and fear of starting assignments getting in the way of meeting deadlines.

“Sources of anxiety often lead people to work out strategies to avoid feeling it because it is so unpleasant,” said Dr. Diana Brecher, a clinical psychologist at Ryerson University’s Centre for Student Development and Counselling. “Sometimes the strategy is procrastinating and postponing, and sometimes just complete avoidance.”

Brecher says both strategies work really well in the short term, but in the long term, they can sabotage your future goals.

She explained that while dropping out of university may work for some individuals who are desperate to escape a situation that is causing stress, it is important to acknowledge that for others, remaining in an institution that can help provide support and resources for students with mental illnesses can also be beneficial.

“Some of [this decision making] is timing. How much have you already invested in? If something is truly making your life absolutely miserable, and you’re suffering, of course step away,” she said. “But it should be done not as a reactive thing, but as a really thoughtful thing.”

For us, taking a hiatus allowed the time and opportunity to enter therapy programs and connect with psychologists to work toward solving issues affecting our mental health.

We determined that we could afford to withdraw at the time we did, early on in our academic year, to ensure we did not commit to taking classes and withdrawing at a later time.

This made withdrawing feel less like a setback from the rest of our peers, and more as a decision that would benefit us for the time being, as we would be able to access the opportunities again the following academic year.

You are your own person

It’s easy to get caught up in watching the success of your peers on social media, telling yourself that you should be where they are now.

People tend to compare themselves to others via social media as a way of motivating themselves to do better, according to a 2018 study on social comparisons and social network sites.

Since comparison is largely inescapable, we had to learn to challenge the negativity we felt.

Often such comparisons would lead to self-doubt, frustration in our inability to continue and jealousy towards the success of others.

Even as two friends who were coincidentally facing the same decision, we were on two completely different paths.

Our similarities didn’t mean a shared experience; everyone copes differently and learning to remind yourself that you are your own person is a way to ensure that comparison doesn’t dictate your feelings and choices.

You can still be creative

Once we each did take our breaks, another fear we both had was that we would lose all motivation and creativity.

As two people who enjoy pursuing creative projects as an outlet of expression, we knew that a way to keep us going during a difficult and often painful experience was to keep creating.

“When you leave the structure and sense of purpose and meaning that you get in school, it’s a really good idea to have something that you’re looking forward to doing,” said Brecher. “Even if it’s a volunteer job, or it’s an artistic project … whatever it is, have something that is going to fill your sense of purpose and meaning.”

Having always wanted to collaborate on a creative project, we decided to make a podcast called Mind on Hiatus.

The 12-episode show chronicles our experiences with our mental health journeys to create a relatable conversation for those in similar situations as us.

We now had a platform to not only facilitate the discussion around taking a break from university, but also to use it as a way to cope during our recoveries.

Talking openly and honestly about the steps of mental illness recovery — such as getting medicated, seeking help from professionals and opening up to family members — turned out to be a very therapeutic experience.

It’s not as scary as we thought

While it is completely normal to encounter negative thoughts, feelings of doubt and concerns about failure during your time away from school, don’t let these thoughts take away from your recovery.

Once you take the step to withdraw for the sake of your mental health — if that’s the path you feel you need to take — you will likely thank yourself for having the necessary time to work things out and come back better on the other side.

“If you’re feeling shame but think you’ve made a good choice and you trust that choice, you [should] forgive yourself for being in the mess you’re in,” said Brecher. “Be kind and generous and supportive [to yourself], and then move on.”

November 5, 2021

Education Opinion Students Top Top stories

Opinion: You don’t need to go to university right after high school

by Lucas Reyes October 31, 2021

written by Lucas Reyes

I remember being in the final stretch of Grade 12. I was a stressed-out teenager roaming the halls of Brebeuf College School, carrying many concerns regarding my university applications.

I not only wondered if I was going to get into my first choice program but if I was going to be accepted by any school at all.

I eventually learned that I was accepted into Ryerson’s journalism program.

I was thrilled. This was the program I had my eye on all along and I was excited to get to work and start a new journey.

However, this could’ve gone very differently had I listened to my initial gut feeling instead of succumbing to the pressure around me.

Despite being excited about getting into my program of choice, there was no way I wanted to jump straight into university at first.

I was worried I was going to sink financially, I had concerns about my work ethic, and I didn’t think I was mentally fit.

I was told to go to university right away by members of my family. I was told that I wouldn’t want to go back to school if I took time off. I was told that I would simply figure it out. I was told that I couldn’t afford to let my peers get ahead of me.

So I went and completed the application process and, months later, I discovered the news while sitting in the school library. I was thrilled and looking forward to a new experience, but my initial concerns remained.

Over three years have passed and I’m now in my final year of my undergraduate career. I don’t regret the decision, but I’ve realized my gut feeling wasn’t all wrong.

I tell myself that if I were starting my university career today, I would be in way better shape. The reason? I’ve grown a lot since I was 18.

Something I didn’t understand three years ago was the importance of organization. I’ve always tried finding ways to stay organized, but I still struggled and I just shrugged it off. I would tell myself that it didn’t matter so long as my work got done.

Yes, the work was done, and the grades were OK, but I found it hard to retain things. I found it hard to stay consistent with my work. I was immature and admittedly not ready to make the most of my opportunity.

Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone. Some people form great habits at a young age, some people have their finances in order early on (and/or benefit from a stable household) and some people have always had a motor for getting work done efficiently.

For those who struggled to start off, perhaps the extra time could’ve been helpful. Maybe some people would have benefited from starting school at 20 or 21 instead of 18, but will never know.

Efraim Eskander, a first-year child and youth care student at Ryerson, has little regrets about starting university at 21.

“I did regret [not going to university right after high school] because I saw all my friends move on while I stuck back, but reality set in and I realized it was the best decision for me to wait,” said Eskander.

Mental health can be fragile for high school students. Learning to deal with stress is necessary to get through school, and not everyone has the ability to effectively do that at a young age.

“You learn the value of mental health. It’s crucial to have the coping skills to deal with stress that maybe you didn’t have at 18,” he said.

This was the case for me. Things got difficult personally, which affected me academically and I struggled to stay afloat. With my first year of university looming, I was unsure of how I would manage the transition.

I didn’t have high confidence and it led to me having a troublesome first year, even if I got through my work with good grades.

Waiting would also give you ample time to deeply think about your program or school, if you’re not initially sure about it.

This may not sound like a big deal given the nature of developing a career and how many times you may want to change routes. However, it changes things when money is involved.

Whether or not you receive financial assistance, going to university is expensive. Is it worth making a multi-thousand-dollar decision when you likely aren’t eligible to buy a lottery ticket?

Unless you know you’re ready, then probably not.

Eskander also doesn’t think so. “If I mess up, that’s money down the drain,” he said. “Most people don’t have money to burn on mistakes that could’ve been preventable had those around you respected your initial decision.”

Going to university for the sake of going is not sound advice. People have lost significant money after discovering they weren’t a fan of their program or weren’t in the right place to tackle school.

If you’re a high school student thinking about university, really give it thought. If you’re unsure, consider talking to a guidance counsellor about your academic future.

People likely have your best interest in mind when they tell you to go right into post-secondary. But ultimately it’s your career at stake and you know what’s best for you.

October 31, 2021

Opinion Students The World After COVID-19 Top Top stories

Op-Ed: Online learning should be an option after the pandemic

by Maria McCollum October 28, 2021

written by Maria McCollum

When President Lachemi announced a full return to campus for the winter 2022 semester I felt very mixed emotions. I always enjoyed the excitement of going into the city for classes.

Experiencing city life was part of what made me choose to go to Ryerson University in the first place. Now, I couldn’t be less interested in going back to in-person learning.

Many industries have been altered during the pandemic. Although the longevity of these changes is still unknown, certain changes that have increased accessibility, such as online learning, could be here to stay.

During the pandemic, we’ve realized how easily we can work and learn remotely.

Within one day of announcing lockdown, all of our courses had shifted to, what we’re now annoyingly familiar with: Zoom meetings.

For students like me who live more than an hour and a half from campus, commuting every day of the week for a class is not only tiring but takes up time that could be used more productively.

Sometimes, I would spend more time travelling than in class, which was extremely frustrating.

Lectures would be two or three hours in length, followed by a 50 minute tutorial on a different day.

Having this tutorial on a day that I had no other classes meant spending three hours travelling for a 50-minute class.

On one hand, this is what you sign up for when you choose a university in the city and want (or have to) continue living at home in the suburbs, but online learning could alleviate this stress by providing options for students to attend these classes virtually.

Ryerson students were found to have the second-longest commute time out of all universities in the GTHA in 2019, with the average commute time being 56.6 minutes.

This average was found among the 77 per cent of Ryerson students who commute to school, according to data released last year by the university.

With commuters making up this large of a percentage, it is arguable that having options to learn online benefits everyone involved.

Whether impacted by illness, inclement weather, or inevitable life events that limit the ability to be in person, online learning would provide the opportunity to catch up on what otherwise would be missed classes.

Additionally, those who are working full-time, have to care for family members, or those who have physical disabilities could be accommodated.

The reality is that while school is a priority for students, some don’t have the luxury of making it their top priority.

Having the flexibility to complete classes in a schedule that works for each person provides an equal opportunity to succeed.

October 28, 2021

Code Red Personal Finance Top Top stories

Young adults can’t seem to escape spending more than they earn in recovering economy

by Hadi Azad October 25, 2021

written by Hadi Azad

Credit card transactions can also be made via Google and Apple Pay. (Unsplash)

Experts are concerned about the way COVID-19 has affected the economy, with their primary concern being young adults with large spending habits.

Young people who seek financial advice tend to have similar spending habits, says Michael Leonardelli, a wealth adviser with The Pension Specialists.

“They don’t save, they live in the moment. They spend what they earn and in some cases spend more than what they earn,” said Leonardelli. “They have that YOLO [you only live once] mentality; they’re not worried about what their life is going to look like at the age of 55 and beyond.”

But young adults who spend more than what they earn and incur financial debt are in danger of doing harm to their credit score, which will affect their ability to make major purchases.

Opening up a credit card account should be the first step into building your credit score, says Leoanardelli.

A credit score is a three-digit number that comes from an individual’s credit report. It identifies how well the credit card and other debt is being managed. The credit report analyzes an individual’s income, which helps organizations determine if it’s safe to lend money.

In Canada, the credit score ranges from 300 to 900. According to TransUnion, the average credit score in Canada is 650.

In order to build credit a credit card has to be used responsibly, meaning monthly payments shouldn’t be overdue as additional interest payments will have to be made. This contributes to lowering the credit score. In order to prevent this issue, set a reminder to make the credit card payments on time and make sure you don’t overspend for the month.

The long-term effects of having a poor credit score would alter a person’s chance of being approved for things such as a car loan or a mortgage.

Credit score ranges from 300 to 900. (On The Record/Claudia Latino)

“The first thing that the banks or institutions will do with large purchases is that they are going to run your personal credit score and look at your income,” said Leonardelli.

He says that if you have poor credit, lenders will ask for someone as a backup — or co-signer — to make the payments if you can’t. But it’s best to prevent this as it could impact both parties’ credit scores.

A co-signer, also known as a guarantor, is an individual with credit history who reassures the lender that monthly payments will be made. They’re responsible for making payments when the primary borrower fails to do so.

It’s best if a deal could be made without a co-signer, because a future potential creditor will factor in the previous co-signed loan, which could potentially be the reason a person is rejected for a loan.

When qualifying for a big purchase such as a house mortgage, banks conduct a stress test where individuals have to qualify at an interest rate of two per cent higher than the expected mortgage rate to ensure monthly payments could be made comfortably.

Zahraa Khalaf, a third-year student at Ted Rogers School of Management, said that the main thing she learned during the pandemic is the significance of saving money and being financially responsible with her credit card.

“I’ve never been taught how to use my credit card. Pre-COVID I used to overspend and I wasn’t able to pay off my debt in time. I had to pay interest in addition to my purchases,” said Khalaf. “I’m now more mindful with my spending habits, I recently came to the realization about the importance of having good credit and I make sure to pay off my credit debt in time.”

Alykhan Dhanji, a fourth-year business management student at Ted Rogers School of Management, said: “The thought of building my credit score crossed my mind and I started to build my score up right before the pandemic hit. It’s important to be disciplined while using the credit card as you can easily get carried away with your spending limit.”

As students approach their graduation date, their priority is to pay off their student debt. “One piece of financial advice I’d give my younger self is to start investing; the more money saved the easier it will be to pay off the student loans,” said Dhanji.

October 25, 2021

Code Red Top Top stories

Code Red: Graduating into a world in crisis

by Kahfeel Buchanan October 23, 2021

written by Kahfeel Buchanan

When young millennials and Gen Z graduate, many will be consumed with climate change anxieties and financial fears.

Young people leaving school could end up working in the gig economy. Many may never have the financial freedom to buy a home. Some will struggle to find money to invest, and others still may have challenges establishing a good credit rating.

The problems aren’t only financial. Even having kids is looking like less of a priority for younger generations who see the worsening climate crisis and ask: do I want to bring children into an uncertain world? What other generation felt forced to decide whether or not they want to have kids because those kids will likely be born into a world where climate disasters are more frequent?

Many of us will also need to change our lifestyle habits and lower our carbon footprint. As Ryerson sustainable design teacher Lloyd Alter sums it up: “don’t eat red meat, don’t drive, live in a small space, don’t get in a plane, and stop buying so much shit.”

Some young people say they feel overwhelmed as they contemplate the future.

It makes sense: with the rise of deepfakes and misinformation, all of us are susceptible to being scammed or tricked. Our perpetually online lives make us statistically more likely to see false information than the rest of the general population. Many of us will need to develop digital hygiene practices and a reliable fact-checking routine to protect ourselves.

Lack of in-person learning and long hours on Zoom is making some students burn out, causing mental and physical health issues with lasting repercussions. So much distance learning puts students about to enter the workforce at a disadvantage, says media psychologist Jeremy N. Bailenson.

What else lies around the post-graduation corner? What is life like for this cohort as they try to face a world that feels ruined by overlapping crises? How do we navigate it? How will we survive it?

Enter: Code Red.

At On The Record, we decided to report a series of stories that looks at the world we’re graduating into. Each story in our series covers an issue that Gen Z and young millennials are thinking about as they navigate early adulthood.

The series rolls out over the next few days. Here are a few highlights:

Maria McCollum looks at how (not) realistic homeownership is for university graduates.
Madison Dolman and Elena De Luigi look at data privacy concerns as Ontario’s new digital ID program arrives.
Tess Stuber contemplates lifestyle changes needed to slow climate change.

Stephanie Leonardelli looks at why people are now prioritizing work-life balance as a top factor in their jobs.
Sara Romano looks at why Gen Z is second-guessing having kids.

Rida Khan looks at the worrisome growth of deepfakes.
David Warner and KB Buchanan examine the proliferation of misinformation among young people.
Camilla Bains and Donald Higney look at Gen Z’s use of humour as a coping mechanism.
Hadi Azad looks at young people’s lack of financial literacy and the issue of overspending.

October 23, 2021

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