title: A survey of mental health services at post-secondary institutions in Alberta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relatively high prevalence of mental health problems among students at post-secondary institutions in Canada is well documented; in contrast, less is known about the adequacy of mental health services available to Canadian post-secondary students on campuses. Our study sought to examine the current state of campus mental health initiatives and services in Alberta as well as the extent to which resources identified in mental health literature as being key in mental health problem prevention and promotion appear to be available.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 60-question, online survey was sent to staff (primarily front-line workers; n = 45) at Alberta's 26 publicly funded post-secondary institutions. Responses were organized according to small (less than 2000 students), medium (2000 to 10 000 students), and large (10 000 or more students) institutions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of Alberta's post-secondary institutions were represented in the responses. Mental health initiatives and services are available, to varying extent, at all of Alberta's post-secondary institutions. However, many institutions do not have initiatives and (or) services aimed at identifying students with mental health problems or policies for monitoring their mental health services. Additionally, smaller institutions are less likely to offer certain services (for example, gatekeeper training and campus medical services), compared with larger ones. Finally, a systematic review or an evaluation of services appears to be infrequently conducted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the need for post-secondary institutions in Alberta, and by extension in Canada, to develop and institute a comprehensive strategy to evaluate and optimize the delivery of mental health initiatives and services.
authors.affiliation: Student, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heck
authors.affiliation: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Post-Doctoral Fellow, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Post-Doctoral Fellow, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaworska
authors.affiliation: Student, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Elisea
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: DeSomma
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Arjun Sunny
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dhoopar
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Assistant Professor, Departments of Psychiatry, and Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Cuthbertson and Fischer Chair in Paediatric Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Assistant Professor, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Assistant Professor, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: MacMaster
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Professor, Departments of Paediatrics, and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Director, Behavioural Research Unit, Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Associate Professor, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.affiliation: Professor, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Professor, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Glenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: MacQueen
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*