Student donation to support campus mental health initiatives

The Queen's Student Alumni Association makes a presentation to Mike Condra, Director, Health, Counselling and Disability Services.

The Queen’s Student Alumni Association (QSAA) has donated more than $10,400 to Health, Counselling and Disability Services (HCDS) to support mental health programming at Queen’s.

“We completed our fundraising efforts knowing our student gifts will impact the lives and experiences of current and future Queen’s students, exemplifying ThankQ’s mandate of students fundraising for students,” says Cicely Johnston (Artsci’12), the QSAA’s vice-president of giving last year.

The QSAA raised the money as part of this year’s ThankQ campaign. ThankQ is a student giving campaign run by graduating students, who select initiatives such as HCDS which have particular significance for them and will be of particular benefit to future students. The group had an impressive 100 per cent participation rate, meaning all 24 QSAA members donated this year.

“I am struck by this wonderful gift, which is another example of the ongoing dedication of students to supporting mental health projects on campus,” says Mike Condra, Director, HCDS. “In this and many ways, students are making an enormous contribution to the education of future Queen's students on this vital topic.”

This year, the Gift Funds Canada also approved a generous grant to the QSAA’s ThankQ campaign. Judith Brown, Associate Vice-Principal (Advancement), is a volunteer board member of the foundation and suggested HCDS as one area where the foundation might direct some funds. The foundation endorsed the recommendation to direct funds in support of student mental health at Queen’s.

The QSAA includes students from all faculties and all years of study. The aim of the group is to connect current students to their future as Queen’s alumni.

For more information visit the ThankQ website.