Dr. Brooke Linden’s Student Mental Health Network

Research-Informed Support:

by students, for students

At Queen’s University, the Student Mental Health Network is a participatory initiative founded by Dr. Brooke Linden [MA, PhD] that uses a “for students, by students” approach to knowledge translation. The Network is dedicated to empowering students to better understand, protect, and maintain their mental health.

The Network focuses on three key goals:

(1) Improving mental health education,

(2) Strengthening social support systems, and

(3) Increasing awareness of available resources.

The Network is grounded in Dr. Linden’s research, which explores how post-secondary students think about mental health, the barriers they encounter when seeking help, and which educational tools may be the most effective for each individual in building resiliency. This research directly informs the education and resources provided through the Network, ensuring everything provided is evidence-based, created or curated by students, and tailored directly to students’ needs.

Resources are varied, including blog posts, infographics, videos, and fact sheets, covering topics ranging from stress, stigma, resilience, intersectionality, and help-seeking. They also run peer engagement initiatives, including social media campaigns, classroom presentations, and collaborations with student groups across campus. All the resources that the Network offers are created “by students, for students,” reflecting the genuine student experience and creating a sense of community.

Often, students are not sure where to turn when they need support. To support this need, the Network provides guidance on navigating the mental health system,

including:

● Understanding the roles of different mental health professionals

● Knowing when and how to seek help

● Learning about campus, community, and online services

This system helps students feel more confident and less overwhelmed when accessing care. A significant focus of the Network is fostering social support, which is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health. Their peer-led platform helps students feel seen, understood, and supported.

One of the Network’s most accessible offerings is its online module series. These free, self-guided learning modules aim to educate post-secondary students about mental health concepts and apply practical strategies in their daily lives. The module collection includes general education, self-care and coping strategies, and information specific to special groups and topics.  Most importantly, all content was created by students, and reviewed by subject matter experts in related fields to ensure the information is safe, valid, and reliable.

You can learn more about the Student Mental Health Network by exploring it yourself at:http://studentmentalhealthnetwork.ca/

If you’re interested in learning more about the development and evaluation work done on the Network to date, you can explore some of the following open-access publications:

1.    Mobilizing Health Promotion Through Canada’s Student Mental Health Network: Concurrent, Mixed Methods Process Evaluation

Access at: https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e58992/

2.    Canada’s Student Mental Health Network: Protocol for a Comprehensive Program Evaluation

Access at: https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e41521/

Project Happiness would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Linden and the Student Mental Health Network team for allowing us to highlight their impactful work.

By: Laura Merrin & The Student Mental Health Network