Postsecondary students in New Brunswick will have better access to mental health services, following a partnership between Medavie Health Foundation and New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF). Together, they will be expanding the Pathway through Mental Health Care for Postsecondary Settings initiative, announced Medavie Health Foundation in a press release March 20.

Led by Dr. Stan Kutcher, a renowned expert in adolescent mental health, the initiative will first be tested at Mount Allison University, joining Pathway test sites at five postsecondary campuses in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. It is hoped that the framework for the initiative could expand further.

Could serve as a model across Canada and internationally

“The framework has the potential to expand to other New Brunswick campuses and could serve as a model across Canada and internationally,” says the announcement.

In New Brunswick, the initiative will include a new two-year assistant professor faculty position in mental health or counselling, towards which the NBHRF will be putting $50,000. Pathway through Mental Healthcare for Postsecondary Settings will receive more than $680,000 in funds from Medavie Health Foundation.