News

The Blue Elephant in the Room is a national anti-stigma campaign designed to address the stigma associated with mental Illness.

Displaying a blue elephant shows that you care about the wellness of others and demonstrates that this is a safe place to talk about mental illness, without fear of being viewed differently. If you see a little blue elephant, you know it's a safe place to speak about any mental health issues you or your family may be having. You will be treated with respect and dignity and you will find the support and understanding from a person who cares.

Student Services and Health Services have been educating students on what the campaign is and what the opportunity will mean for students on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus.

It is estimated that more than 60 per cent of people with mental health illness won’t seek the help they need: stigma is one of the main reason.  

“We want to decrease the stigma around mental illness, it’s no different than having a physical illness.    We want it to be the same parallel, for students, they are looking for a safe place,” explained Faculty of Agriculture Nurse Practitioner Lugene Young.

Faculty, staff and student leaders were invited to be champions of the project across campus with 40 blue elephants currently on display across the Agricultural Campus.

“We are really happy with the uptake from faculty, staff and student leaders,” she added.  “It’s about the students feeling better and decreasing stigma. Whatever the student shares at the moment, if we can help students, we will be successful.”

Champions are provided with a resource booklet and a step-by-step guide of the expectations of the champion and when necessary will refer students to the services available to them through Health Services on campus and in the community.

The program will be evaluated at the end of each semester.  Health Services will have an information display in Haley Institute and Cox Institute during Inclusivity week on campus next week.

Just look for the little blue elephant.

One little word-but a very big idea-makes the elephant in the room disappear -   RESPECT.

For more information please contact Health Services:
Location: Dairy Building Phone: (902)-893-6300 or (902) 893-6369
Email: Lugene.young@dal.ca   Carolyn.bartlett@dal.ca