Matt Dionne | Sports and Health Editor
Featured image: Graduate students can find mental health support through a new campus group. | Courtesy of Chris Campbell
Graduate students can now find support for mental health on campus. The Graduate Student Peer Support Group, or GSPSG, is a student-run organization that provides support regarding mental health for graduate students who may not have access to other support programs on campus.
According to Ariane Bakhtiar, co-facilitator of the group, the group first originated because a large portion of grad students felt uncomfortable seeking formal counselling from York’s Mental Health Disability Services.
“This is partly due to the general stigma around mental health: no one wants people to think they’re ‘crazy’ but there are also factors particular to graduate studies,” says Josh Lalonde, co-facilitator of the group.
“Graduate students are expected to be productive at all times: if you’re not in class, you should be doing research, or writing your thesis or presenting at a conference. In this environment, it’s easy to feel that talking about your mental health challenges is an admission of weakness or of unsuitability for graduate studies.”
The only eligibility requirement—other than being a graduate student—is a first-hand experience with mental illness, referred to as a lived experience.
The group is confidential, as members are required to sign a “comfort agreement” that functions as an non-disclosure agreement in that anything said during a group meeting must not be repeated.
“The ‘comfort agreement’ […] is a set of guidelines selected by participants at the beginning of each group and ensures that we can provide a confidential and non-judgmental sharing space,” says Bakhtiar.
During meetings, attendees briefly introduce themselves, and then have the choice to share some of what they are going through. After the sharing portion, facilitators check in with each individual attendee.
“The structure of this group is inspired by Mental Health Peer Support Organization which organizes weekly peer groups in the Toronto area,” adds Bakhtiar.
“Some students at the graduate level have long-standing mental health challenges like depression or anxiety and can benefit from ongoing support to manage their condition. Other students may go through particularly difficult episodes, such as loss of a loved one, a difficult breakup or academic issues and need temporary support to get themselves back to a healthier state.
“Peer support can also be valuable for students dealing with addiction issues, as the peer support model is adapted from the format of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.
“The group is open to anyone who feels that they can benefit from it and who agrees to respect its basic principles,” says Lalonde.
However, the GSPSG does differ from groups such as AA or Narcotics Anonymous in that it is not governed by a religious sect.
“It is important to us that everyone feels included, regardless of their views or background,” says Bakhtiar.
GSPSG, as its name suggests, is run by students, for students, going around the traditional barricades in registering with bureaucratic groups such as waitlists, staff shortages and heavy costs associated with psychotherapy sessions.
