Big Purple Couch Arrives at Waterfront Campus

Posted on Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

One in five or 20 percent of Canadians will suffer from a significant mental health condition at least once in their lifetime according to the Mental Health Association of Canada, and unfortunately most of society is programmed not to talk about it. However, things are changing as campaigns like Olympian Clara Hughes’ cross Canada “Big Bike Ride” raises funds and brings attention to how many Canadians are inflicted with mental health conditions. These initiatives are taking away the stigma that prevents those suffering from mental health issues from seeking help.

At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, the college is trying to take a leadership role in Renfrew County by engaging its students and staff to better understand their own mental health, and how they can help others who are experiencing mental health issues. In the past year, more than 70 college employees have completed the 12 hour Mental Health First Aid certification course, training that has taught them how to be first responders when a student is experiencing a mental health problem.

Recently, the college also sponsored a film presented at the Valley Documentary Festival in Pembroke, entitled “Out of Mind, Out of Sight,” which focused on four patients at a Brockville Psychiatric Hospital who had committed violent crimes as a result of their struggle with serious mental health inflictions like schizophrenia. The film was followed by a panel discussion involving college faculty that have done research in the field of mental health.

Now, the college is introducing a purple couch at the campus, a symbolic overture to students that it’s ok to talk to someone if they are feeling depressed, battling an eating disorder, have had suicidal thoughts, or any other mental health concerns that they have been keeping to themselves.

The purple couch will move around the campus and will often have a staff member or student available that has been trained in starting mental health conversations. There will also be pamphlets and other information that accompany the couch. These materials can be shared with any student that needs support.

In the months ahead, there will be more mental health awareness campaigns on campus, because these conversations need to happen. Let’s all work together to help those that suffer in silence by letting them know we care. There’s room on the purple couch.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.

• Posted in