Program
PhD, Public Health and Health Systems
MSc, Public Health and Health Systems, 2017-2019
Graduate supervisor
My thesis
My research aimed to study the role of resilience on university students’ use of mental health services while on campus. Resilience is the capacity of individuals to adapt and grow in response to adverse events that may occur in life, and for students, during their university career. We conducted a mixed methods study that administered the Connor-Davidson resilience scale on a total of 19 undergraduate students from different academic departments at the University of Waterloo. Afterwards, students were interviewed.
Study findings showed that the level of resilience is not an indicator of students’ use of mental health services. Rather, resilience is a separate variable that needs to be considered on its own merits among the factors that influence health service utilisation.
During a time of heightened awareness surrounding mental health issues, especially among university students, it is recommended that universities explore innovative and context-specific strategies that will foster an atmosphere that can strengthen resilience in the student population.
My time in the School of Public Health and Health Systems (SPHHS)
The School of Public Health and Health Systems has fostered a truly empowering environment which I have treasured. The faculty in SPHHS are supportive and encouraging of new students who come from diverse backgrounds. I found SPHHS to be a place that educates and nurtures students to operate as balanced intellectuals in society.