Students at Dalhousie, NSCAD and King's (pictured here) can access the program.

Online self-help program at Dal

Program is for people who aren’t comfortable getting help face to face.

Dalhousie University has a new program to help people with some psychological issues. The Feeling Better Program is an online self-help program for students at Dalhousie University, King's College, and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

The program is designed for people with stressful situations that may include depression and anxiety. It isn't meant for more serious problems having symptoms of bipolar disorder, eating disorders, addictions, or psychosis. These kinds of cases still need personal attention and can't be met through the Internet.

The program has several modules on the Internet which students can access and complete to see what mental state they are in. Students also have the opportunity to talk with the experts by phone or by email.

Michael Day, the director of Counselling and Psychological Services at Dalhousie and co-ordinator of the program, explains what underpins the program and how it works.

"It is an online self-help program for students who might have moderate anxiety depression or stress."

"They can also email the Feeling Better coach and the coach would go through the description of the program and also clarify with them who it is for who is not for."

Dr. Jeff Karabanow, a professor in the School of Social Work at Dalhousie, said the program can work for some people."Yes, I think there's been research to show strong efficacy around this program that online self-help can work for people at risk of depression or personal problems."

Dante Madera, a first-year student at King's said, "I think the program could work. It sounds like it would be especially helpful for students having trouble adjusting to university life."

Although he personally does not think he needs the program because he's in good mental health, he understands that some people may need the Dalhousie program.

"I know a few people who may benefit from a program like this. Stress can be a mayor buzz kill and this may help people deal with the copious amounts of stress involved with university life," added Madera.

Some people are too shy to get help face to face, but as Karabanow said this program can help.

"Especially it helps around issues of confidentiality and intimacy for people who don't feel comfortable actually going to see a counsellor. But they can get help online. And now, with midterm finals and papers, people are very stressed and it is a good way to support these people," he added.

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