This month, Queen’s University is launching three health and wellness surveys concurrently to get a comprehensive picture of student health and well-being. The results will be used to help identify how to best enhance the programs and services offered by the university. 

“We know the pandemic has had a significant impact on student health and well-being and we are asking every student to participate in these surveys so we can get a detailed understanding of how they are all doing, in terms of their mental health, stress levels and sources of stress, physical activity, sleep, alcohol and drug use, food security, feelings of safety, belonging and social connection, and access to resources,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “We are specifically going to be asking about the supports they relied on to help with their mental health during the pandemic and what they do to support their own mental health.” 

The surveys are: 

• National College Health Assessment – this will be the fourth time Queen’s has run this North American survey  
• Canadian Campus Well-being Survey, a new instrument, initially co-developed by the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto. 
• Canadian Post-Secondary Alcohol & Drugs Survey – part of Health Canada’s substance use surveillance strategy  

The entire student population will be randomly assigned to one survey and will each receive an email inviting them to complete it online. Participation is voluntary and confidential.  

In appreciation of their time, the first 750 students to complete each survey will be able to choose to direct a $5 donation made by Queen’s to one of three local charities or receive a $5 Queen’s Dining “Flex $” credit. In addition, all students who complete a survey can choose to enter a draw for one of 30 SkipTheDishes credits of $100.  

The Student Mental Health Network, a collaboration of staff and students involved in health promotion and mental health initiatives on campus, has been consulted throughout the planning process.  

“To help improve student wellbeing, we must listen to what students have to say, and then turn these survey results into action. Getting student input on how to promote and encourage participation in these surveys will help the university hear as many perspectives and experiences as possible,” says Linda Cheng, Student Affairs’ Campus Wellness Project intern, and Co-lead, Student Mental Health Network. 

Summary reports of the final results in aggregate will be posted later this year, allowing the campus community to share and respond to the results. 

Faculty and staff members are encouraged to promote the survey to students through to March 8. For more information, visit the Student Affairs website.