Polytech starts conversation on mental health

By Lethbridge Herald on January 20, 2026.

Herald photo by ALEXANDRA NOAD Richard Tackie, practicum student at Wellness Services, shows students the various resources available to them on campus along with providing free snacks as part of their Bell LetÕs Talk Day initiatives.

By Alexandra Noad,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

Since 2010, Bell Let’s Talk Day, held on the fourth Wednesday of January each year, has not only been used as a way for people to break the stigma of mental health online, but Lethbridge Polytechnic also uses the day as a conversation starter to help students receive supports they need.

With the extra stress of exams, deadlines and tight budgets, college and university students are at higher risk for mental health challenges.

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada 75 per cent of students struggle with mental health challenges during the course of their studies.

Lethbridge Polytechnic provides not only resources to the students attending the institution but also provides education on those resources through activities held on campus.

Lori Harasem, health promotion coordinator for Lethbridge Polytechnic says it’s really important to the institution that students understand they are encouraged to reach out if they are struggling in any capacity.

“There are lot of supports and resources on campus for them, so there’s no reason any student should ever be struggling (alone),” says Harasem. “We use Bell Let’s Talk Day as one of the ways throughout the year that we try to destigmatize mental health.”

This week Wellness Services provided information about the difference between mental health and mental illness along with resources students can access.

They also provided a “self-care bingo” activity for the students to do for a chance to win prizes and then an opportunity for students to earn a certification from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, free of charge to better understand how to help themselves and others with their mental health.

Last summer, Wellness Services launched a pilot program to educate high school students know the services their team provides even before they enter the walls of the polytechnic and encouraged those who felt anxious about starting post-secondary to visit with them during the summer.

Harasem says early intervention is key to preventing a crisis from happening.

“We always say to people, ‘even if right know you’re not in crisis, we want to start working with you now because we don’t want you to get into crisis.’”

Wellness Services at Lethbridge Polytechnic provides mental health resources including stress less week before finals, providing subsidy for gym memberships and encouraging students to go outside during warmer months, promoting volunteerism and doggy destress, which is well loved by students and. faculty alike.

Those who are in need of immediate mental health support are encouraged to call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988.