From campus to province-wide: Scaling student wellness at NSCC

Students at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) are leading a national shift in student mental health and wellbeing with the Student Wellness Champion initiative – the first of its kind in Canada. What started as a pilot at 2 campuses in 2022 has grown into a province-wide program, inspiring other post-secondaries to adopt NSCC’s student-led framework.

The program empowers students to become wellness leaders, creating inclusive events and engaging in conversations that support mental health, belonging and academic success.

“Mental health is essential to a student’s success and overall experience,” says Ilaria Pivi, Provincial Coordinator, Healthy Minds NS. “Peer-to-peer connection is a powerful way to raise awareness, challenge stigmas and support positive change across campuses.”

Built by students, for students

As Wellness Champions, students host weekly events themed around topics like wellness, diversity and belonging. They collaborate with various student groups and campus wellness committees to deliver meaningful events that resonate with their peers and raise awareness of student supports and online Healthy Minds NS resources.

Supported by a dedicated campus support person, they also rely on the broader campus community, from Student Services, faculty and Facilities, to help bring their ideas to life. Wellness Champions benefit from a network of students and employees rallying together to help create a healthy campus culture.

One of the most powerful aspects of the program is its curriculum, developed with input from NSCC’s Mental Health Recovery and Promotion students. This evidence-based curriculum guides each event, incorporating a cultural, diversity and inclusion lens to ensure every student feels seen, heard and supported. This student-designed approach ensures programming is authentic and relevant to the student experience.

Anne, a former Wellness Champion at Lunenburg Campus, says, “It sparks important conversations around mental health, identity and inclusion, building a more engaged and informed campus community.”

Connection and provincial collaboration

The collaborative nature of the program has fueled its growth. With support from the NSCC Foundation, Gallivan, funding from the Department of Advanced Education (Healthy Minds NS) and their appointment of a Healthy Minds NS Provincial Coordinator, the initiative has been able to scale across 11 campuses and extend beyond NSCC.

NSCC’s Wanda McDonald and Jordi Hepburn have been instrumental in building the initiative from the ground up. “Every proposal and idea were shaped with the vision that students should lead the way in wellness,” says Wanda. “Seeing this initiative grow from a pilot to a provincial model has been incredible. Without the dedication of our students and the support of our partners, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

In 2025, 23 Wellness Champions from 11 post-secondaries in Nova Scotia are following this framework for student wellness that’s collaborative, inclusive and transformative.

Voices of the Champions

According to the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (2023), 32% of NSCC students reported experiencing severe mental distress, underscoring the importance of continued support and wellness initiatives across campuses.

Statistics like these motivated Emmah to become a Wellness Champion at Pictou Campus. “Students face many pressures that can impact their mental, emotional and physical health,” she says. “By openly talking about wellness, we're reducing stigmas and creating space for others to feel seen and supported.” Over the last few months, she’s noticed how these small acts of support can make a big impact in her peers’ day-to-day lives and described her role as “rewarding.”

Xiyan, a Wellness Champion at Kingstec Campus, says the strength of the initiative lies in its collaborative approach. “During a campus-led event that explored wellness practices in Indigenous culture, I gained a deeper understanding of concepts like the Medicine Wheel and the balance of spirit, emotion, mind and body. Wellness goes beyond just our physical and mental health, and I’m exploring ways to incorporate more holistic and grounded approaches to the self-care resources I share.”

Savanna, a former 2-year Wellness Champion at Burridge Campus, says her experience taught her the importance of showing up for others.

Heartwill, a former Champion at Kingstec Campus, adds, “Listening to students share their stories during each event taught me how powerful simply being present can be.”

Meet your 2025 NSCC Wellness Champions

Leading a wellness movement

The Student Wellness Champion initiative goes beyond aligning with NSCC’s commitments as a College – it drives them forward. Rooted in the College’s Strategic Plan (IDEA2) and Mental Wellness Strategy, the initiative also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good health and wellbeing, the National Standards for Post-Secondary Student Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Okanagan Charter.

Student wellness is a shared responsibility and the Student Wellness Champion initiative redefines how post-secondaries can best support their students. As it continues to grow, its student-led model offers a blueprint for campuses across Canada to build healthier, more inclusive student communities.