A student trustee with the Avon Maitland District School Board says mental health is a major concern among students in Ontario.
So much so that the Ontario Students Trustees Association has flagged it as the number one issue on a platform they've presented at Queen's Park and they hope to make it a campaign issue.
Trustee Jesse Russell says a lot of students are concerned either for themselves or some of their peers. He says it's something that hasn't been discussed much in the past but he believes it should be addressed and the first step in that process is recognizing it's an issue.
Russell says he also believes part of the pressure on students today is trying to decide where they fit in an increasingly specialized job market and what courses they have to take to get there. He says having to make that decision at such a young age is very stressful.
“I think a lot of students are concerned either with themselves or their peers, mental health being a big deal. In the past, it wasn't really brought up but it needs to be addressed and we know it needs some sort of support and the first step in getting that support is having it be recognized," says Russell. "I find that decision being pushed back so early that students at a young, young age have to make that decision and I think that is a stress and I do think that is a big stress that students face as they go through school they have to make those decisions.”