Online tool coming to help students with mental health issues

Young people entering college or university with mental health issues will soon be able to use an online tool created by a researcher at Cambrian College.

While mental health support currently exists for young people, there's currently nothing in place for students entering post-secondary school, who are often dealing with the burden of being away from family for the first time while away for school.

According toCambrian College'sAlanaHolmes, the transition can be especially troublesome for those who need help but don't know where to turn.

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"A lot of mental health disorders or problems can be triggered or exasperated by stress," the researchertold CBC News.

Holmes said it's important to know how to deal with stressful situations, such as an anxiety attack, or who to seek guidance from when your family members may behundreds of kilometres away.

"They're facing everything the other students are, which are the notion of how difficult is it going to be," she said. "How big is the campus?Will I make friends?Will I get along with my professors?Will I be able to stay on top of the course load?"

Holmes said the free tool that aims to help students familiarize themselves on how to get help while atcollege or university will be available beginning next March.